Do you give your cat B12 injections?

[Cat Ma]

Do you give B12 injections solely on the basis on diabetes? Do the injections help?

 

[Lori & Lulu]

I`ve been giving Lulu 25u injections of B12 weekly since she was diagnosed. Her full blood panel showed mild pancreatitis, so the vet prescribed the B12 for it. I`ll probably have another panel done in September, but she seems to be feeling much better now.

 

[BJM]

There are 2 B-12 types used here:
Methylcobalamin - for diabetic neuropathy, usually given orally, sometimes in food
Cyanocobalamin - for pancreatitis, usually injected
If either of those are a problem, then they may help, in addition to good glucose control.

 

[Cat Ma]

The latter was prescribed. The last time we gave it to her, she had diarrhea but that was before insulin was given. Is diarrhea a normal side effect of B12 injections?

 

[Lori & Lulu]

Lulu gets cyanocobalamin, and she has had diarrhea. For that, the vet prescribed metronidazole. Vet never mentioned that the diarrhea was a side effect of B12, I presumed it was the diet change from mostly dry to totally wet.

 

[BJM]

Correlation is not causation, ie, just because 2 things happen around the same time, does not mean they are connected.
As noted, sudden food changes may do that. Giving a probiotic may help - ex Forti Flora, Intelliflora, a teaspoon or two of plain yogurt with active cultures if the cat is not dairy sensitive.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

I give three of my cats 250 mcg (ug) of B12. See:
http://vetmed.tamu.edu/gilab/research/cobalamin-information
No problems with diarrhea.

 

[Cat Ma]

So far no diarrhea this time around. The insulin must be helping along with the change to a low carb diet.

 

[Lisa grossman]

Hi. I've been reading everything here and have questions.
First- my giant 15 yr old Spot is 1 year into diabetes and he's been doing well. He had his 1 yr check and bg was 120. I inject 4IU of Lantis twice a day. We had an appt yesterday for his leg which may be diabetic neuropathy. I OKd 3 oral doses on Metacam and he's like a new cat today!! BUT, I'd rather try something else before going to Metacam long term/low dosage. (yes, I've read it all and understand the risk.... vs quality of life)

So- Is the Zobaline OK to give with insuline after meal time? What dosage for a large, fat cat of 23 lbs?

thank you all for sharing your experiences here- its so helpful1

 

[Karen & Rudy]

I inject Methylcobalamin (.5ml) twice a week and it has done wonders for his neuropathy.

 

[Critter Mom]

From the Ilifelink.com Zobaline product page:

One 3-mg tablet of methylcobalamin administered once per day [added to food] is reported to reverse most or all of the symptoms of feline diabetic neuropathy within a few weeks.

.

 

[Lisa grossman]

I inject Methylcobalamin (.5ml) twice a week and it has done wonders for his neuropathy.

Is there a reason to choose injection over tablet?

 

[Karen & Rudy]

He seemed to absorb it better and had a better reaction than with the pill. Just my experience- every cat is different ;-)

 

[BJM]

When the cat has severe pancreatitis or malnutrition, the GI tract may not be able to absorb B12.

 

[Anitafrnhamer]

Is there a reason to choose injection over tablet?

Absolutely. An injectable med gets into the blood stream more quickly vs. an oral med which has to transit through the digestive process delaying release into the bloodstream.

 

[MsBliss]

I inject Methylcobalamin (.5ml) twice a week and it has done wonders for his neuropathy.

Where do you get injectable methylcobalamin? I can only find cyanocobalamin, which I inject a lower amount every 10 days or so.