? B12 Injections (liquid form)

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

I think this question got lost in my last thread about Minnie’s low BG, which is totally my fault for going on multiple tangents all the time, very ADC of me

When Minnie was first diagnosed with diabetes, our vet then put her on biweekly liquid b12 injections. She said she’d be deficient because of the diabetes and would need it for the rest of her life. She added that cats absorb b12 in liquid form better than orally. Since then, I’ve come to doubt much of what she recommended for obvious reasons and Minnie has been on b12 methyl daily for months now. Does anyone else do the injections? Is there any benefit to it or can I stop? The vial I have is expired now so I’d have to reorder and I can tell these shots sting more because she flinches. Bigger syringe, bigger amount going in

Thanks!

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

I think this question got lost in my last thread about Minnie’s low BG, which is totally my fault for going on multiple tangents all the time, very ADC of me

When Minnie was first diagnosed with diabetes, our vet then put her on biweekly liquid b12 injections. She said she’d be deficient because of the diabetes and would need it for the rest of her life. She added that cats absorb b12 in liquid form better than orally. Since then, I’ve come to doubt much of what she recommended for obvious reasons and Minnie has been on b12 methyl daily for months now. Does anyone else do the injections? Is there any benefit to it or can I stop? The vial I have is expired now so I’d have to reorder and I can tell these shots sting more because she flinches. Bigger syringe, bigger amount going in

Thanks!

My only suggestion is to...(and I know its not ideal) get a second opinion about this main issue. I've never heard about cats needing b12 injections for life. Not that it doesnt happen I'm sure it has, but yeahhh I kinda doubt this as well.
As per usual hang on for more replies .LOL I know you know this

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

My only suggestion is to...(and I know its not ideal) get a second opinion about this main issue. I've never heard about cats needing b12 injections for life. Not that it doesnt happen I'm sure it has, but yeahhh I kinda doubt this as well.
As per usual hang on for more replies .LOL I know you know this

Totally ha!

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Cats with CKD and gastrointestinal disease tend to need B12 supplements. It appears that oral B12 is sufficient unless there are is gastrointestinal disease that hinders oral absorption. In that cat B12 injections are preferred.
http://felinecrf.org/vitamin_b.htm

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

My understanding is the same as Larry's. If there are GI issues, B12 usually is not well absorbed. In fact, on GI panels, they often will have a lab value for cobalamin (B12). CKD kitties may also need supplementation.

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

Cats with CKD and gastrointestinal disease tend to need B12 supplements. It appears that oral B12 is sufficient unless there are is gastrointestinal disease that hinders oral absorption. In that cat B12 injections are preferred.
http://felinecrf.org/vitamin_b.htm

thank you Larry. I learn something new everyday here.

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

My understanding is the same as Larry's. If there are GI issues, B12 usually is not well absorbed. In fact, on GI panels, they often will have a lab value for cobalamin (B12). CKD kitties may also need supplementation.

She’s not CKD and we did the pancreatitis tests and ruled that out as well. I didn’t want to put her through an endoscopy to confirm IBD because at the time she was in really bad shape with the diabetes and neuropathy. And now that you say that I think the b12 injections started actually before the diabetes when we didn’t know what she had, pancreatitis or IBD. I feel that if the oral b12 methyl didn’t work her neuropathy would not have improved so fast, but since there’s something going on her GI tract, I guess I should stick with them huh?

I’m taking her next week to do another senior blood panel, is the GI panel & cobalamin something I can ask them to include?

Thanks!

 

[Larry and Kitties]

is the GI panel & cobalamin something I can ask them to include?

Yes. One has to fast for the GI profile
fasting (8-12 hours) non-hemolyzed serum for felines
https://vetmed.tamu.edu/gilab/service/assays/tli/

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

Yes. One has to fast for the GI profile
fasting (8-12 hours) non-hemolyzed serum for felines
https://vetmed.tamu.edu/gilab/service/assays/tli/

How does that work for a diabetic cat that needs to eat to get her insulin?

 

[Larry and Kitties]

How does that work for a diabetic cat that needs to eat to get her insulin?

Optimum would be to schedule the blood draw right before the next shot. Next would be to do blood draw earliest in the morning and thus give shot/food later than normal. That is what I have done.

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

Optimum would be to schedule the blood draw right before the next shot. Next would be to do blood draw earliest in the morning and thus give shot/food later than normal. That is what I have done.

Yes and id have to push her shot leading up to the day since she’d never eat at the vet so I’d have to get back here to feed her first.