glipizide oral treatment for Gandi

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Kathryn Elizabeth

Kathryn Elizabeth

Member Since 2023
Hi Team,

Just wanted to share that Gandalf the cat has been started on oral glipizide pills twice daily. Long story, but this is what Vet and Owner have decide to try For Now.
(Bexacat is not available in NZ)

Anyone here have experience with this?

Please send prayers for a positive outcome using this method :)

Vet is keen to calibrate my blood glucose meter with their equipment when they have him in for a blood glucose curve in a couple of weeks to see how the pills are doing, and has also agreed to go with glargine insulin IF the owner manages to actually make a phonecall from Germany to New Zealand so the vet can communicate with her direct, and to go ahead with that should the pills not work.

Thankfully Gandi's weight has been stable and he has shown no other symptoms beyond increased thirst and appetite, so we have our fingers crossed that this will work. Or at least provide him Some support in the meantime.
 
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I knew very little. You are way ahead of where I was. There was no testing for the 6 weeks. Thank goodness he did not get DKA. In that time, Rover's neuropathy worsened considerably.
 
Gosh.. yes indeed. The vet wants him in for fructosamine in 2-3 weeks, unless any symptoms of deterioration present. Also prob going to get some keto urine strips. With the neuropathy, what were you able to see in Rover that told you he was experiencing that?
 
Oh dear!
Glipizide is a bad choice. It puts pressure on the pancreas, instead of supporting it, which insulin does, and will not solve the problem. I really don’t know why vets still use it.
Neuropathy symptoms include weakness in the back legs ( occasionally in front), slipping and sliding on a wooden floor, having to stop frequently when walking, difficulty in walking up stairs or jumping up on chairs and beds, walking on their hocks.
 
When I adopted Spot a few years ago she had been on Glip for several months. It did not do anything to help her diabetes. When I got her she was under weight, had severe neuropathy and glucose levels were very high. I immediately switched her to Lantus and started her on methyl B12 for the neuropathy. Within a month I already saw significant improvement. I recommend starting on insulin, preferably a long acting one like insulin glargine(Lantus, Basaglar or Semglee), Levemir or Prozinc. Do not use Vetsulin, Caninsulin or any other short acting insulin. Most cats respond poorly to these types of insulin.
 
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Lisa and Witn (GA) said:
When I adopted Spot a few years ago she had been on Glip for several months. It did not do anything to help her diabetes. When I got her she was under weight, had severe neuropathy and glucose levels were very high. I immediately switched her to Lantus and started her on methyl B12 for the neuropathy. Within a month I already saw significant improvement. I recommend starting on insulin, preferably a long acting one like insulin glargine(Lantus, Basaglar or Semglee), Levemir or Prozinc. Do not use Vetsulin, Caninsulin or any other short acting insulin. Most cats respond poorly to these types of insulin.
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Thank you. I am looking after this cat while the owners are away so it is not up to me, but yes, am advocating for glargine use for sure.
 
That was tried over 20 years ago on my first diabetic cat. It did nothing o lower BG based on my home testing of BG. I do not remember what insulin was next used. Lantus wan not yet introduced in the USA and I think went to U (Ultra Lente human insulin) which worked well. U insulin was discontinued after Lantus was available.
 
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