UK - 'Insulin Choice In Cats', good RVC podcast

Any UK folks with an interest in this topic - and half an hour to spare - might like to listen to (RVC vet) Stijn Niessen's views on insulin choices for cats in the UK.
He talks of finding that cats tend to do better on insulins with longer durations. In the UK those are the veterinary insulin Prozinc, and the human insulins lantus/glargine and levemir/detemir.

He also talks a bit about feeding diabetic cats (lower carb diets) and the frequency of feeding. He says that if a cat was naturally a grazer prior to diagnosis then there is no reason to change that, and that smaller, more frequent meals can be easier for the insulin to deal with. (He makes clear though too that there is a difference between cats that are natural grazers, and those who are just greedy and will eat anything put in front of them...)
https://www.rvc.ac.uk/small-animal-referrals/news-events/clinical-podcasts/49-insulin-choice-in-cats

Note: There is currently a supply issue with Prozinc, with a few vets having it in stock (or able to get it from Canada), and many vets not having it in stock.

 

Hi Eliz,

Has there been any progress WRT glargine and detemir becoming licensed for feline diabetic treatment in the UK?


Mogs
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Hi Mogs, these still aren't licensed for use in cats in the UK but they are becoming used with much greater frequency. At least that seems to be the case on a number of feline diabetes groups. Levemir is gaining in popularity too, and there are quite a few UK kitties now on Lev, which would have been unheard of just a few years ago... But, as ever, there are some vets who still staunchly refuse to prescribe anything but Caninsulin...

 

Hi Eliz,

Thanks for the reply.

Grrr ... Sacrificing patient well-being to protect their own insecurities. Boris Johnsons of the vet world.

It's great to hear that more vets are now using the longer acting insulins. 'Bout blimmin' time!

That'd be my vintage...

I see from the main board index that there are a couple of new kids in insulin town. I'm so out of touch. I'd be very wary of helping out on a hypo 911 at the moment. The principles are still sound but the specifics may leave something to be desired (*cough*).


Mogs
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Good to have something to refer the new UK members to or to have them pass onto their vets. We still see the struggle to get these kitties on better insulin. Even in Canada where it's not mandated which insulin for vets to suggest, Caninsulin is still a popular choice.
@Critter Mom Wonderful to see you.

 

@Wendy&Neko - It's grand to see you too, Wendy!

My posts may have been absent for a long while, but my heart has never left.




Mogs
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