> I just saw a post regarding pzi vet and I though I read somewhere
> that they were discontinuing it?
Idexx stopped making PZI-Vet about 20 months ago. There is still some available, but supplies are limited and dwindling.
> And if they are what insulin would be comparable.
The "most comparable" would probably be one of the compounded PZIs; you can get a free trial vial from BCP, or you can check your local phone book for compounding pharmacies and see if they'll make it for you (and save yourself postage). Note that compunded insulins tend to have more variation in strength and a more limited shelf life than manufactured insulins like PZI-Vet.
Also, Idexx sold the rights to PZI-Vet to a company called Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica. BIV recently introduced a new insulin called ProZinc, which they say is a replacement insulin for PZI-Vet. As this is a pretty new insulin, there isn't a lot of experience with it as yet. Some folks have been able to switch over exactly from one to the other, while others have run into problems. You can probably get more information on exact experiences in the PZI forum.
> I work 9 hours somedays and I like so far the 2 x a day dosing.
The vast majority of cats require twice-a-day dosing.
> Any thoughts? Should I have a say on which one with my vet.
Each insulin has it's pros and cons, and every insulin has cats who do well on it and cats who do poorly. Other insulin options I can think of off-hand are:
* Vetsulin / Caninsulin: No! do *not* choose this option or let your vet talk you into this. There are manufacturing and quality problems with this insulin and it's being discontinued.
* NPH / Humulin N: a short-lasting fast-acting insulin. Easy to get, fairly cheap. Because of it's fast steep drops and comparatively short duration, generally not a favorite insulin for cats, but there are cats who do do well on it.
* Lantus (glargine): a favorite with a lot of (comparatively) newly diagnosed cats. There are a lot of users of this insulin, and therefore a lot of folks who can help support you with dosing decisions. Users tend to aim for tighter regulation than in some other insulins, but often achieve a higher rate of remission as a result. More 'fragile' insulin than PZI, with (potentially) limited shelf life once opened. There's some dispute as to whether/how strictly you need to follow an exact 12/12 shot schedule (which I haven't followed since I use PZI, and which I don't want to get into the middle of!)/
* Levemir (determir): another newer insulin. Not as favored (pushed) as Lantus, but has quite a few users as well. I *think* it also has a fairly good remission rate, but am not certain.
* compounded PZI: potentially the closest to what you're used to.
* ProZinc: as noted above
And also, your final option (assuming I didn't any major groups above): PZI-Vet: There *are* some supplies of this left, if you can find them. *If* your cat has done well on this so far, and *if* you _honestly_ think remission on PZI-Vet is a possibility, you might try finding a vial or two and trying to get into remission before it runs out. If you don't think you've done well enough on PZI-Vet that you'll achieve remission, then I'd suggest switching to a different insulin, and I suggest switching sooner rather than later.
Why? Because (1) the closer to diagnosis you try for remission, the better your chances of getting it (although remission is never out of the question -- there've been cats who've been active diabetics for five years who've gone into remission). Also, (2) it's better to switch insulins while the cat is healthy and you have some control over the situation than to be suddenly forced to switch to a different insulin during a period when the cat may be ill.
And (3), there are some folks with cats who, due to problems with regulation or illness (or both), are not wiling to switch away from PZI-Vet just yet. I'm one of them. IIRC, we went through 4 or 5 insulins before we found one that Gwyn did well on. She turns 20 in a few weeks, has a whole *lot* of health issues going on, and her health is *very* delicately balanced. She's almost certainly not well enough to survive switching to a different insulin, particularly considering the difficulty we had in finding one that worked for her in the first place. I don't know how many PZI-Vet users are in similar positions, but I assume most of us who haven't already switched to a different insulin either have a hoard of PZI-Vet in the fridge or have compelling reasons for not switching.
![JJ & Gwyn [GA]](/FDMB/data/avatars/m/0/167.jpg?1419296044){kind=avatar}
