cymbalta for kitty neuropathy?

[janelle and Nomad]

Cymbalta (Duloxetine HCL) is technically a human antidepressant but it is also used for human diabetic neuropathy and pain management. I have heard of a couple of cases of it being used in dogs (droolers) Has anyone had any experience with it being used in cats? It is kind of expensive but would at least give another treatment option. Besides the different forms of B12, there doesn't seem to be much out there for feline neuropathy. ?

 

[Lisa and Merlyn (GA)]

The best thing for feline neuropathy is regulation. Neuropathy definitely seems different in cats than in humans.. obviously we cant know if our cats are in pain from it, but it doesnt seem like it to me. Humans do. In my googling, I did not come across anything about giving it to cats, except a poison control type article about accidental ingestion. I did come across references to liver toxcitiy in humans, and stomach problems.
Too risky IMHO

 

[janelle and Nomad]

Unregulated diabetes does cause neuropathy in both people and cats. Regulating BG does improve or eliminate neuropathy in most cases. However, many people with neuropathy continue to have some symptoms even if they are regulated. From reading this forum, Ithere are also people with cats who are regulated but still have neuropathy. It would certainly make sence for someone to try better regulation and B12 first. However, it would also be good to know there are other alternatives if the first line of treatments don't work.

I did some more research on neuropathy-besides diabetes there are also many other conditions that can cause neuropathy or neuropathy like symptoms. For example, many people who are treated with certain types of chemotheraphy can get the symptoms. So I guess the lesson is that even if a person or cat is diabetic, it doesn't always mean the neuropathy type symptoms are comming from their diabetes.

Cymbalta works good for some people and maybe in dogs? I know a lot of medications used in dogs might not be appropriate for cats. Many drugs that originally developed for human use eventually filtered down to vet use.Lantus and Levemir are forms of human insulin. We shouldn't automatically rule out something because it would be an off label use.

 

[tuckers mom]

I'm no expert, but a quick search on wiki turned me right off from ever considering this:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cymbalta#c ... 17121211-1
"Owing to a large number of side effects and lack of clear advantage over existing medications, some reviews have concluded that duloxetine "should not be used" for stress urinary incontinence[1] and "currently has no place in the treatment of depression or diabetic neuropathy."[2][3] "


On a more personal note, Tucker has always had a weak rear back leg first thought to be neuropathy, blood tests proved it was not the case. Five years since his FD dx and since he adopted me, I have seen that many things will effect Tucker's BG, from stress, food and other meds he takes for other conditions. I wouldn't add another med that may have a host of side effects one of which could include possible liver damage, the one thing I depend on to help increase his BGs should he start to fall too low.

 

[janelle and Nomad]

I know some of my human diabetic patients have benefitted from this drug without bad side effects. Some others have discontinued it because it didn't do anything and like you said, why add more meds. If it is has no benefits? Besides the forms of B-12, does anyone know of other treatmrnts for feline Diabetic Neuropathy? This might be a good question for a vet. Neurologist. There is actually one in the area I live in. If I go that route and get some good info. I will certainly post about it.