Hello From Helen And Tobey.

[Helen Giss]

Tobey is 14 and has been doing well for the two years since his diagnosis. He was on Lantus until the new insulin pen came out and I started using that. But I have not been able to find a vet who knows how to dose a cat with the new, more potent insulin that the pen uses. As you surely know, insulin is horribly expensive. I started using the new pen because I received a sample. Now, I'm searching for a vet because the vet who diagnosed my sweetie has retired.
I'd love to hear from the group. I don't know anybody who has a cat or dog with diabetes.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Tobey is 14 and has been doing well for the two years since his diagnosis. He was on Lantus until the new insulin pen came out and I started using that. But I have not been able to find a vet who knows how to dose a cat with the new, more potent insulin that the pen uses. As you surely know, insulin is horribly expensive. I started using the new pen because I received a sample. Now, I'm searching for a vet because the vet who diagnosed my sweetie has retired.
I'd love to hear from the group. I don't know anybody who has a cat or dog with diabetes.

I didn't know that the pen's insulin is any different than the Lantus in a vial. Is it Lantus in the pen? Is it still a U100 insulin?

 

[MrWorfMen's Mom]

What is the name of the insulin in the sample? You mention it being more potent so I assume it is either Toujeo which has a concentration of 300 units per ml. or Tresiba which is available in both 100 and 200 units per ml. I don't think Tresiba has ever been tested in cats and the Toujeo is far too potent for a cat which explains why your vet has no idea how to use it. I'm sure if they knew what it was they would tell you not to use it.

PLEASE DO NOT use this more potent insulin for your cat. It could and likely would lead to a serious and very possibly fatal overdose.

If cost for Lantus is a concern and you are in the US, many folks here get their Lantus from Marks Marine Pharmacy in Canada at considerable cost savings. By buying the refill vials there is little if any waste and for roughly $120 US you could have enough Lantus to last a year or more depending on the dose your cat needs.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Dosing would be about the same. However, unless your cat is on a high-does of Lantus I would stick with Lantus, not a U200 or U300 insulin.
It is harder to measure small does like most cats need with a U200 or U300 insulin

 

[MrWorfMen's Mom]

Dosing would be about the same.

Just for clarity....the prescribed dose of insulin.... for example if kitty is supposed to get 1 unit twice daily.... would not change, however the amount of insulin injected would have to be reduced according to the concentration of the insulin being used.

That said, the dosing instructions for both Toujeo and Tresiba in humans is for once daily administration. Tresiba has not been tested in cats to my knowledge so using it would be very ill advised. The Toujeo, a more potent version of Glargine, may have a different formulation. I would question whether a cat is going to metabolize the more potent insulin at the same rate as the U100 insulin. Without seeing some research into the use of these new insulins in cats, I would not assume they are safe.

 

[Helen Giss]

What is the name of the insulin in the sample? You mention it being more potent so I assume it is either Toujeo which has a concentration of 300 units per ml. or Tresiba which is available in both 100 and 200 units per ml. I don't think Tresiba has ever been tested in cats and the Toujeo is far too potent for a cat which explains why your vet has no idea how to use it. I'm sure if they knew what it was they would tell you not to use it.

PLEASE DO NOT use this more potent insulin for your cat. It could and likely would lead to a serious and very possibly fatal overdose.

If cost for Lantus is a concern and you are in the US, many folks here get their Lantus from Marks Marine Pharmacy in Canada at considerable cost savings. By buying the refill vials there is little if any waste and for roughly $120 US you could have enough Lantus to last a year or more depending on the dose your cat needs.

Thank you for the info in Canada, can you also provide an address? And, I'm assuming they require a prescription.

 

[Sandi and Toby]

https://rxcanada4less.com/

If you live in the US, then yes you need a prescription. You can just take a picture of it and get that to them. I haven't used them personally but MANY here have.

How many units of *regular* u-100 strength Lantus do you use every 12 hour? It still might be better for you to order the u-100 strength Lantus Solostar pens rather than a Lantus vial.

Just ask if you have questions!

Sandi.