Buddy's Mom always needs help Part 11

Status
Not open for further replies.
Teresa & KitKat

Teresa & KitKat

Very Active Member
I have been ordering YA dry food for Buddy, he loves kibble but never cared much for this. I have been ordering 54/26 Cat & Kitten Formula, just noticed the bag was getting low so I ordered another bag, while on the phone I asked the order person to send me a sample of 54/24 Mature Formula. When it came to the house Buddy started getting excited, but it was about the sample, he could smell it. I had given him his Royal Canin Glycobalance wet food (he loves)w/FortiFlora (on top-which he loves) and he would not have anything to do with it, YEA! YEA!(cost me too much money) all he wanted was the YA Mature Formula. The only thing that came out of the box was the sample, while Buddy was going around & around my legs meowing, I could not do anything else because of him, I gave him some of the sample and it was love at first bite. Now, at least I could move away from him to keep from falling down, my only problem now is I have an unopened sack of the Cat & Kitten Formula and an empty sample bag. Any suggestion's on how I could some how get my money out of the unwanted bag of YA, so I could buy a bag of the Mature Formula (Buddy loves) before I need to order another case of Royal Canin.
 
You could try to sell it on Supply Closet and just explain Buddy prefers his YAZ Mature so you want to at least cover cost of the other bag. :)
 
Yong said:
You could try to sell it on Supply Closet and just explain Buddy prefers his YAZ Mature so you want to at least cover cost of the other bag. :)
Click to expand...
I had thought of that and I may just do that. When you order from them the shipping is free, so I would probably need to pay the shipping and sell for a reduced amount. I would not buy it on Supply Closet unless I got it for a reduced amount.
 
Talked to person at YA on Monday, there are going to refund my CC and I ordered the one that Buddy liked.

I am going to the vet today to pick up script for Lantus, if you order from Mark's Marine Pharmacy would you let me know how long it took to receive your meds . Does anyone have an opinion which would be best deal the pins or vial.

Yesterday, out of the blue Buddy's #73, had hard time getting numbers back up. I don't think he is feeling well either. I have an appointment this morning, I am worried about leaving Buddy.
 
Hey Teresa I believe the pens are the best deal but I'll let the others speak to that more. When do you plan to start the Lantus?

How's Buddy acting? I know you said he didn't feel well...what makes you think so? Is he eating?
 
Teresa & Buddy said:
Talked to person at YA on Monday, there are going to refund my CC and I ordered the one that Buddy liked.

I am going to the vet today to pick up script for Lantus, if you order from Mark's Marine Pharmacy would you let me know how long it took to receive your meds . Does anyone have an opinion which would be best deal the pins or vial.

Yesterday, out of the blue Buddy's #73, had hard time getting numbers back up. I don't think he is feeling well either. I have an appointment this morning, I am worried about leaving Buddy.
Click to expand...
Teresa & Buddy said:
if you order from Mark's Marine Pharmacy would you let me know how long it took to receive your meds .
Click to expand...
I think it can take only a few days, Teresa. You'll want to pay the extra bit for a special container to keep it cool until you receive it.

Teresa & Buddy said:
Does anyone have an opinion which would be best deal the pins or vial.
Click to expand...
People order the 5 pack of pens. They're 3 mL each and the unopened ones are good until their expiry day if stored properly in your fridge. That can be up to 2 years ahead. The top part of a pen can be removed so the rubber seal of the insulin cartridge is exposed. That allows you to put a syringe into it as you would a vial. The difference with these is that you don't inject air into the cartridge. Post for info when you have the Lantus and are ready to start.

Teresa & Buddy said:
Yesterday, out of the blue Buddy's #73, had hard time getting numbers back up. I don't think he is feeling well either.
Click to expand...
Those spikes and dives can make them feel ill. Teasel is still bouncy but much less so on Lantus. He feels better as a result.

Did you have a problem getting your vet to agree to Lantus? I highly recommend that you go read the yellow info stickies about Lantus. There are quite firm guidelines on how best to use it. Ask a lot of questions and introduce yourself on the Lantus forum when you're ready to go. It's a very large, very busy forum and can be overwhelming at first.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
I think it can take only a few days, Teresa. You'll want to pay the extra bit for a special container to keep it cool until you receive it.


People order the 5 pack of pens. They're 3 mL each and the unopened ones are good until their expiry day if stored properly in your fridge. That can be up to 2 years ahead. The top part of a pen can be removed so the ru.bber seal of the insulin cartridge is exposed. That allows you to put a syringe into it as you would a vial. The difference with these is that you don't inject air into the cartridge. Post for info when you have the Lantus and are ready to start.


Those spikes and dives can make them feel ill. Teasel is still bouncy but much less so on Lantus. He feels better as a result.
I have read some of the sticky's on the Lantus forum, but I am going to read again. Do you still need to hold shot for a few seconds with pen if you use a syringe. Is the don't inject air the same for a vial as the pens, will be afraid I can't pull up exact amount.

Buddy's vet wanted to phone in script, it took 2 e-mail asking for script. I don't know how he would feel about me getting meds from Canada.

I gave Buddy reduced dose last night and this morning. If he is alright this evening I will go back up.

I will be gone until afternoon.

Did you have a problem getting your vet to agree to Lantus? I highly recommend that you go read the yellow info stickies about Lantus. There are quite firm guidelines on how best to use it. Ask a lot of questions and introduce yourself on the Lantus forum when you're ready to go. It's a very large, very busy forum and can be overwhelming at first.
Click to expand...
 
Rachel said:
Hey Teresa I believe the pens are the best deal but I'll let the others speak to that more. When do you plan to start the Lantus?

How's Buddy acting? I know you said he didn't feel well...what makes you think so? Is he eating?
Click to expand...
He was not eating and his bowels were loose. When I would try to pick him up he would try to get away from me.
 
We can help you with all the details of using Lantus pens when you have them, Teresa. Many people here order Lantus from Canada because the cost saving is huge. It's a reputable Canadian pharmacy that ships to the US all the time.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
We can help you with all the details of using Lantus pens when you have them, Teresa. Many people here order Lantus from Canada because the cost saving is huge. It's a reputable Canadian pharmacy that ships to the US all the time.
Click to expand...
I just did not know how my vet would feel about me ordering Buddy's meds from outside the U.S., he might not care.
 
Could it be his pancreatitis flaring? I hope he feels better soon!

In regards to Lantus, I kept reading how the pens were better than the vial so that's what I got. I think it took 4-5 days for me to get mine from Mark's. Only downside was it was signature required so I had to ask my Mum to hang out with Maury for the day since I was working. You can request them just to leave it but it was kind of warm so I didn't want to do that. If I can't get next order from the Supply Closet, I might have to do no signature and leave a cooler outside asking post to put it in there ;)
 
Kris & Teasel said:
Pain? Panc flare?
Click to expand...
I have been gone and getting ready to go after Buddy's script, which is in the next town over. I am not for sure what is wrong. Seems like the left side is the side he does not want to be touched. This happened back several months ago and his doc saw something on an ultra sound, then when we went back he said it had not grown and he has not lost any weight so let's leave it alone.
This worries me.
 
Yong said:
Could it be his pancreatitis flaring? I hope he feels better soon!

In regards to Lantus, I kept reading how the pens were better than the vial so that's what I got. I think it took 4-5 days for me to get mine from Mark's. Only downside was it was signature required so I had to ask my Mum to hang out with Maury for the day since I was working. You can request them just to leave it but it was kind of warm so I didn't want to do that. If I can't get next order from the Supply Closet, I might have to do no signature and leave a cooler outside asking post to put it in there ;)
Click to expand...
I could order from supply closet, but I really want to get his Lantus from a pharmacy. The reason I want the pens is because there is more insulin in 5 pens. What concerns me is that you cannot put insulin back in the pens if you draw out too much, which I always do. I don't know for sure, hopefully it will pass.
 
Teresa & Buddy said:
I could order from supply closet, but I really want to get his Lantus from a pharmacy. The reason I want the pens is because there is more insulin in 5 pens. What concerns me is that you cannot put insulin back in the pens if you draw out too much, which I always do. I don't know for sure, hopefully it will pass.
Click to expand...
It's quite easy to draw out only a tiny bit more than you need and expel the extra onto a tissue. You'll get good at it in no time.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
It's quite easy to draw out only a tiny bit more than you need and expel the extra onto a tissue. You'll get good at it in no time.
Click to expand...
Just got script from vet, script is written for lantus insulin, not vial or pens. I asked him about it, he said it is written that way so I could get the vial or pens. I don't think he liked it that I asked him about the script and he only gave me 1 refill.
 
I called Mark's Marine Pharmacy and they said that I could get either the vial or pens. The pharmacy said I would only need 1 pen because if I gave my kitty more than the starting dose of 1.5 units twice a day, it would kill him. They said I would not want to buy 5 pens because they would ruin on me. The vet acted like I was crazy when I said Buddy would be using more than 1.5 units twice a day, surely I am wrong not them. If anyone knows would you let me know before I order the wrong thing.
 
Teresa & Buddy said:
I called Mark's Marine Pharmacy and they said that I could get either the vial or pens. The pharmacy said I would only need 1 pen because if I gave my kitty more than the starting dose of 1.5 units twice a day, it would kill him. They said I would not want to buy 5 pens because they would ruin on me. The vet acted like I was crazy when I said Buddy would be using more than 1.5 units twice a day, surely I am wrong not them. If anyone knows would you let me know before I order the wrong thing.
Click to expand...
Most people with established diabetic cats order the 5 pack of pens because the expiry date is usually 2 years down the line. As for what Lantus dose to start on, post on the Lantus forum for advice. I dropped Teasel's dose only a small amount when I switched from ProZinc to Lantus. It's quite likely that Buddy's Lantus dose will be in a similar range to his ProZinc dose now. That can change over time once he becomes better regulated.
 
Teresa & Buddy said:
I called Mark's Marine Pharmacy and they said that I could get either the vial or pens. The pharmacy said I would only need 1 pen because if I gave my kitty more than the starting dose of 1.5 units twice a day, it would kill him. They said I would not want to buy 5 pens because they would ruin on me. The vet acted like I was crazy when I said Buddy would be using more than 1.5 units twice a day, surely I am wrong not them. If anyone knows would you let me know before I order the wrong thing.
Click to expand...
My prescription was written the same way so I ordered a box of 5 Lantus Solstar pens from Marks Marine Pharmacy
From their website, I ordered what is squared in green:
upload_2017-7-18_20-36-19.png
 
Teresa & Buddy said:
I just have not had the time to put them in yet. I hope everything is alright.
Click to expand...
Just checking, Teresa. :) Before you switch to Lantus, take the time to read about the two main dosing methods, TR and SLGS. You'll want to choose one as the basis for dosing Buddy. They're both very methodical and give clear instructions on how to keep or change doses depending on BG numbers. It's quite different from the way we do things with ProZinc.
 
No worries, Teresa, it happens sometimes. With all your test lately, are you getting enough rest? Remember to take care of you too! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Kris & Teasel said:
Just checking, Teresa. :) Before you switch to Lantus, take the time to read about the two main dosing methods, TR and SLGS. You'll want to chose one as the basis for dosing Buddy. They're both very methodical and give clear instructions on how to keep or change doses depending on BG numbers. It's quite different from the way we do things with ProZinc.
Click to expand...
I read both of them at one time, but I need to read everything again. The reply I got from the Lantus forum said I could start Buddy at 5 u. The vet yesterday and the pharmacy at Mark's Marine Pharmacy, both said to start at 1.5 u. The pharmacy said if I gave him more than 1.5u, it might kill him. I think my vet was upset with me.
 
Teresa & Buddy said:
Thank you, I will get in touch with him.
Click to expand...
Steph is a regular on here, Teresa. Her kitty is Chuck.

When I switched Teasel he was at a 3 u dose of ProZinc and I only dropped it to 2.5 u and began slowly raising it from there in the days after. The pharmacist at Marks might be mistakenly thinking that Buddy is a new diabetic, in which case you would start at a much lower dose. However, as the Lantus folks said - and you can trust their judgment - you can try a 5 u dose to start.

If your vet doesn't prescribe Lantus he might tell you to start low because he has no experience of kitties' reactions to it when they've been on another insulin for many months before. He might be upset because you're choosing to do something different. The hope is that you'll get Buddy doing better and then you can talk to him about his progress.
 
Chuck was at 8.2 units ProZinc (barely hitting blues on that dose then bounced) and we switched to 8 units lantus because it's easier to measure whole and half units on u100 syringes.
He did ok on the dose. Stayed pretty flat until the Depot filled up and then we started increasing by half units. We are now up to 15.5 units twice a day but that's because i think he has one or both high dose conditions.
After a quick glance at your SS I think Buddy would do fine on 5 units for the switch. I wouldn't want to go all the way back to 1.5 units.
 
StephG said:
Chuck was at 8.2 units ProZinc (barely hitting blues on that dose then bounced) and we switched to 8 units lantus because it's easier to measure whole and half units on u100 syringes.
He did ok on the dose. Stayed pretty flat until the Depot filled up and then we started increasing by half units. We are now up to 15.5 units twice a day but that's because i think he has one or both high dose conditions.
After a quick glance at your SS I think Buddy would do fine on 5 units for the switch. I wouldn't want to go all the way back to 1.5 units.
Click to expand...
Thank you, I really appreciate your reply. I do not want to go back to 1.5u either. Of course I am always afraid of giving too much insulin, but I want to make sure I am giving him enough. Which do you think works the best for you and chuck Lantus or Prozinc. How do you know depot is filled.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
Steph is a regular on here, Teresa. Her kitty is Chuck.

When I switched Teasel he was at a 3 u dose of ProZinc and I only dropped it to 2.5 u and began slowly raising it from there in the days after. The pharmacist at Marks might be mistakenly thinking that Buddy is a new diabetic, in which case you would start at a much lower dose. However, as the Lantus folks said - and you can trust their judgment - you can try a 5 u dose to start.

If your vet doesn't prescribe Lantus he might tell you to start low because he has no experience of kitties' reactions to it when they've been on another insulin for many months before. He might be upset because you're choosing to do something different. The hope is that you'll get Buddy doing better and then you can talk to him about his progress.
Click to expand...
I think he did not like it because I was questioning him, hopefully he was busy and will forget.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
You have to do what's best for Buddy, Teresa. I understand not wanting to upset your vet though. You need his help with all the other stuff.
Click to expand...
He told me that he did not prescribe ProZinc, that the other doctor did and she was the one Buddy saw at first. Buddy does have another vet that he can go to, but this takes after hours call, you can always get in touch with him and he operated on Buddy. When I told his other vet about his surgery, she told that they were not prepared to handle something like that.

Maybe, I was just too concerned about getting the script correct, so the pharmacy in Canada would not call him. I don't know if U.S. docs would mind if you got meds from Canada.
 
Teresa & Buddy said:
He told me that he did not prescribe ProZinc, that the other doctor did and she was the one Buddy saw at first. Buddy does have another vet that he can go to, but this takes after hours call, you can always get in touch with him and he operated on Buddy. When I told his other vet about his surgery, she told that they were not prepared to handle something like that.

Maybe, I was just too concerned about getting the script correct, so the pharmacy in Canada would not call him. I don't know if U.S. docs would mind if you got meds from Canada.
Click to expand...
What insulin does he prescribe usually? Vetsulin? There are a lot of people here whose vets write scripts for Lantus from Canada.
 
My vet didn't care where I got it from as long as it wasn't expired and unopened. She's really cool though. She actually said, "you've got this handled. You only need me for insulin refills." I nervously agreed and added for all other medical issues too. She was impressed by the SS.
Chuck is doing WAY better on lantus. He still bounces but not in the reds and blacks as much and stays blue longer than he did on ProZinc. By +8 on prozinc chuck was already on his way up and fast. He seems more awake and playful on it too but that could be from better numbers and smaller bounces.
I'm very happy we switched. It's more affordable too. I was paying $110 for 400 units of prozinc and you can get lantus from marks for about $160-175 (+/-) for 1500 units. I once figured out I was paying around $0.27 per unit:p of prozinc and around $0.11 per unit of lantus. At over 5 units that adds up! I have a private connection where I can get a vial for $45 so that's $0.045 per unit. My bank account is doing much better on lantus too!
Edited to add:
It is less stressful overall for me too. The drops are slower and not much guess work for the dose. It is absolutely stressful when your shooting full doses on green numbers! I thought I was going to have a panic attack over shooting 15 units on a 64! But I have a lot of data and could monitor so it turned out just fine.
As far as the Depot. I really don't know how long it takes. We stayed on the starting dose for 5 days. Then started increasing. Chuck isn't normal in any way so his depot action is probably not normal either!
 
Last edited:
Teresa, my vet was fine with ordering from the pharmacy in Canada. It's a legitimate and reliable place. Remember also though that you could try that discount card at a pharmacy here in the US if it makes you more comfortable. You don't have to order from Canada - it's just that many of us find it less expensive and quite convenient to just get it delivered. But it's absolutely fine to go with what makes you comfortable.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
What insulin does he prescribe usually? Vetsulin? There are a lot of people here whose vets write scripts for Lantus from Canada.
Click to expand...
I should have asked him which insulin he prescribed, but I did not. He might be fine with me getting insulin from Canada. I will find out, he only wrote me a script with 1 refill and at first he wanted to call it in, so the next refill he will get to call in.

This doctor is very busy, he owns this clinic and is always coming in after hours for emergency's. Maybe he had something else on his mind.
 
Djamila said:
Teresa, my vet was fine with ordering from the pharmacy in Canada. It's a legitimate and reliable place. Remember also though that you could try that discount card at a pharmacy here in the US if it makes you more comfortable. You don't have to order from Canada - it's just that many of us find it less expensive and quite convenient to just get it delivered. But it's absolutely fine to go with what makes you comfortable.
Click to expand...
I did enter info on that discount card, but it asked for age, when I entered a date for Buddy, it said you must be 18 years of age to belong to that program. I did enter a date to make him 18, but on his prescription it has dob, which is not 18. I cannot enter my name because I am on medicare and that can be checked really easy.

I feel comfortable ordering from Canada, I have just heard on TV over the years people saying you should not order from Canada. I guess I was afraid he would not write me a script. I cannot afford to buy Lantus from a U.S. pharmacy, and I think lantus will help Buddy. His vet agreed Lantus was a better insulin
 
StephG said:
My vet didn't care where I got it from as long as it wasn't expired and unopened. She's really cool though. She actually said, "you've got this handled. You only need me for insulin refills." I nervously agreed and added for all other medical issues too. She was impressed by the SS.
Chuck is doing WAY better on lantus. He still bounces but not in the reds and blacks as much and stays blue longer than he did on ProZinc. By +8 on prozinc chuck was already on his way up and fast. He seems more awake and playful on it too but that could be from better numbers and smaller bounces.
I'm very happy we switched. It's more affordable too. I was paying $110 for 400 units of prozinc and you can get lantus from marks for about $160-175 (+/-) for 1500 units. I once figured out I was paying around $0.27 per unit:p of prozinc and around $0.11 per unit of lantus. At over 5 units that adds up! I have a private connection where I can get a vial for $45 so that's $0.045 per unit. My bank account is doing much better on lantus too!
Edited to add:
It is less stressful overall for me too. The drops are slower and not much guess work for the dose. It is absolutely stressful when your shooting full doses on green numbers! I thought I was going to have a panic attack over shooting 15 units on a 64! But I have a lot of data and could monitor so it turned out just fine.
As far as the Depot. I really don't know how long it takes. We stayed on the starting dose for 5 days. Then started increasing. Chuck isn't normal in any way so his depot action is probably not normal either!
Click to expand...
Buddy is getting to the point he is using a vial of ProZinc in a month and a couple of days. I cannot afford this, I am hoping it cost me less and also helps Buddy's little pancreas.

Have you ever had any problems when you buy from the Supply Closet. I know that there is 1 person everyone trust, do you know of any more.
 
Teresa & Buddy said:
I did enter info on that discount card, but it asked for age, when I entered a date for Buddy, it said you must be 18 years of age to belong to that program. I did enter a date to make him 18, but on his prescription it has dob, which is not 18. I cannot enter my name because I am on medicare and that can be checked really easy.

I feel comfortable ordering from Canada, I have just heard on TV over the years people saying you should not order from Canada. I guess I was afraid he would not write me a script. I cannot afford to buy Lantus from a U.S. pharmacy, and I think lantus will help Buddy. His vet agreed Lantus was a better insulin
Click to expand...
As far as reputable Canadian pharmacies go, Teresa, no need to worry about that. The controls on our drugs, dispensing, etc. are every bit as stringent as yours in the US. You won't be getting some expired knockoff made in Timbuktu. :);)
 
Last edited:
Kris & Teasel said:
As far as reputable Canadian pharmacies go, Teresa, no need to worry about that. The controls on our drugs, dispensing, etc. are every bit as stringent as yours in the US. You won't be getting some expired knockoff made in Timbuktu. :);)
Click to expand...
I'm not worried about it being a reputable pharmacy. The U.S. charges too much for medicine's, I cannot figure out why this country cannot give it's citizen's health coverage, like every other country in the civilized world.
 
I have bought from a couple members but they aren't selling a lot. Usually just getting rid of their supply after remission or cat_wings>o.
The prices aren't much different than Mark's. So whichever way you're comfortable with should work. You probably have more of a "guarantee" on the insulin when ordering from Mark's.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top