2 wk checkup ?'s

[Susan for Maus (GA)]

We have a 2 week checkup tomorrow. I requested a different vet in our clinic; someone who has seen our other cats. I'm still getting educated (thank you) but want to be able to ask some intelligent questions; your input would be appreciated. I have a million more, but these seem most pertinent

The vet prescribed Vetsulin (I think cost was a concern). Everything I’ve read, including the paperwork I was sent home with does not recommend it for cats & I’d like to consider something different. What are better options (Prozinc, Lantus/Semglee/Basaglar, other) & how does one decide?

Looking at her SS it’s obvious her dose needs to be adjusted. Should that be done while on Vetsulin or after switching to something different. Also considering her numbers (500 this morning, will address in a different thread), should the switch be made asap?

Do GoodRx coupons work for pets? I noticed Semglee for $62.19 at RiteAid which is a good option for me (I’m rural, nearest chain pharmacy is 40 miles).

What are the pro's & cons of syringe vs pen? I've been using Monoject U-40 1/2 mL 29G x 1/2". Maus has downy undercoat & there's not much to her so I need to be very careful with my aim.

June-Aug I work away from home & there will be days when I might not be able to adhere to strict 12hr injections. How do I deal with that?

Initially Maus was diagnosed with possible pancreatitis due to the vomiting & weight loss. She still vomits occasionally, maybe 3 times in the past week. Now, we’re only treating for diabetes. What’s the chance this is a diabetes/pancreatitis combo plate and how would that influence treatment?

How do people do this & still have lives? Is there a happy place where maybe her numbers aren’t perfect/as low as we’d like, without being a slave to her dosing schedule?


What should I ask my vet that I haven’t thought of yet?


Thanks again for your support

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Do GoodRx coupons work for pets? I noticed Semglee for $62.19 at RiteAid which is a good option for me (I’m rural, nearest chain pharmacy is 40 miles).

Some GoodRx coupons have restrictions that prohibit use on pets. If that is the case the window will have a link to click on to give coupon w/o restrictions. That is relatively cheap too.
Semglee is being discontinue and replaced with generic glargine which is less expensive than Semglee. It is offered in GoodRx.

What are better options (Prozinc, Lantus/Semglee/Basaglar, other) & how does one decide?

What is used for you cat depends upon what your vet has experience with and how hard you want to press you vet for the insulin YOU want for YOUR cat. I prefer Levemir since it does not sting @hig dose like thehigh-dose cats I have had/do have. Otherwise I use Semglee/generic glargine since it is relatively inexpensive and works great. I use that for my Wiggles and DeeDee. Generic glargine seems to be the least expensive. If you try to use that fcall pharmacies to make sure then can get it.

What are the pro's & cons of syringe vs pen? I've been using Monoject U-40 1/2 mL 29G x 1/2". Maus has downy undercoat & there's not much to her so I need to be very careful with my aim.

The VetPen used w/vetsulin only is the only pen that can dose in ½ unit increments. The human pens dose in 1 unit increments only. So most of use here is pems but us them like vials, stick the needle in the end and draw out the insulin. Usually one can use up an entire pen (3ml) before it loses effectiveness. WIrth a 10 ml vial that is not the case. Human syringes (U100 used w/ human insulins) are more readily available that U40 syringes used for pet insulins like vetsulin and ProZinc and are available with more selection in needle diameter and needle length and are usually less expensive.

June-Aug I work away from home & there will be days when I might not be able to adhere to strict 12hr injections. How do I deal with that?

What would be the time intervals? One summer I was on an 8/16 hr interval for the weekends and I used Lantus. Not the best but we can only do our best. ProZinc would be better in that case since one can adjust dose more easily if required.

What’s the chance this is a diabetes/pancreatitis combo plate and how would that influence treatment?

A few cats seems to have chronic pancreatitis and diabete. Some diabetic cats doe have acute bouts of pancreatitis. I have only had one cat with pancreatic and it was only once. I have had 20 or so diabetic cars/

How do people do this & still have lives? Is there a happy place where maybe her numbers aren’t perfect/as low as we’d like, without being a slave to her dosing schedule?

Since you are in a rural you may not have neighbors that can take care of your cat when necessary. Usually a cat can mise one does with no problems. One or twice a year I do that when I am an election officer.

 

[Susan for Maus (GA)]

Semglee is being discontinue and replaced with generic glargine which is less expensive than Semglee. It is offered in GoodRx.

Thanks for the head's up, made me look again & I noticed that was for insulin glargine (generic)(not Semglee). I scrolled all the way down the webpage & don't see anything about pets. I called & they have the generic pens (slightly more) & take the coupons

So most of use here is pems but us them like vials, stick the needle in the end and draw out the insulin.

Thanks, good info

Human syringes (U100 used w/ human insulins) are more readily available that U40 syringes used for pet insulins

Thanks, I'll talk to the vet about that.

What would be the time intervals?

For the summer it could be only 1-2 days per week. When I need to travel & my daughter takes over, she works 4/10's so it could be as many as 4 days per week but we hope fewer. Those trips can last a month

Thank you for your thoughtful response