B12

[AbbyCantwell]

Hello cat fam! Im not new to feline diabetes but I no longer have Facebook so I dont have access to the page anymore. I have a question about starting Lilly on B12. Can anyone point me In The right direction on brand and dosing? Lilly is 12lbs and regulated on lantus getting 1u 2x a day. She has been diabetic for 4 years. She is 13 years old and her poor little toe and ankle joints are looking arthritic. She is starting to gimp around. She has a slightly elevated kidney level and I do not want to put her on pain meds that would make that worse. I would like to start her on b12 and see of it helps. Thank you! Sorry if this have been posted, I tried to find information but didnt seem to see anything.

 

[squeem3]

Methylcobalamin can treat neuropathy but not arthritis. Cats with neuropathy walk on the flat part of their legs instead of normally on the paws. Most don't limp.

Zobaline is one product that treats neuropathy but it's expensive. An alternative is to use unflavored methylcobalamin capsules from a health / vitamin type store and folic acid.

posted by @Diane Tyler's Mom GA

the Vitacost brand another member told me about
Vitamin B-12 Methylcobalamin -- 5000 mcg - 100 Capsules

Same as Zobaline , but the Zobaline is so expensive as you know
This is the same thing
The only difference is the Zobaline has 200 mcgs of folic acid
So I bought the folic acid at the supermarket and crush it up and added it to the Vitacost brand
If you can't find the 200 mcg get the 400 mcg and cut it in half and crush it up and add it, some members didn't even add the folic acid and the neuropathy improved
The Vitacost brand is a capsule so just open it and pour the powder on the wet food
Has no taste, no need to crush it up, I still give it to Tyler every now and then and he has never tasted it in his food , I always add water to his food and just stir up the methyl B-12 good
I switched to the vitacost brand because the zobaline was too expensive,
Even though the vitacost brand is 5000 mcgs and the zobaline is 3000 mcgs
What they don't need they will pee out because it's water soluble.

The Zobaline is expensive for 60 pills, 30.00 some other places want 33.00
I used to use the Zobaline when I joined, then a member told me about the Vitacost brand .

The Vitacost one is currently of of stock online at many places. I do have an unopened bottle and a partial bottle you can have. https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/vitacost-methyl-b12-available.309289/

Arthritis can be treated with medicine like Adequan or Solensia.

 

[Hanao]

Hi! I found this post when wondering about dosing of B12. I got Dr's Best Full Active 1500mcg. Is two capsules (3000mcg) for 11ib/5kg cat good amount to give?
My cat also has arthritis and has been on Solencia since Spring 2024. She started to limp more from about a week ago when she became lethargic - I suspect she had regenerative anermia due to kidney failure (she was diagnosed Stage 2 CKD back in Summer 2023, diabetics since April 5, 2026, and had pancreatitis on June 25, 2026), but bloodwork on July 13 shows elevation on 237mmol Creatine and 19.6mmol/L Urea (BUN) - screenshot to be found below understanding that units used differ by regions.

I have asked around how to distinct or determine what condition was causing her lethargic. While I originally thought she has pancreatitis flare, based on information and post available from this forum, it seems like it was caused by regenerative anermia.

She is feeling better from a week ago, but still limping which has not been improved. Is there anything else I can do to treat other than B12? She has been on burprenophine (0.15mml) twice a day, mirtazapine (half dose every 48hrs) plus 100ml subg fluid since June 25 (instructed by IM). As I read in the forum that 100ml of subq fluid daily may be too much, I am trying to refuce it to 50mml per day and add Purina Hydra pouch. Do you see this is the good course of action so to reduce risk on overloading kidney and liver? Thanks for reading!