Fiona Update...glargine??

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ashleybpratt

Member Since 2013
So I received a message from my vet today that they want to change Fiona's insulin brand to glargine, is anyone familiar with this brand of insulin? what are the pro's and con's from people that have used this? Is this brand costly? Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
 
Glargine is Lantus, and yes it's a great insulin for cats and is used by lots of people here.
 
You'll want the vet to prescribe the pens, not the vial. Each pen holds 3 mL, or 300 units, and are sold in packs of 5. Be prepared for some sticker shock, although there is a coupon available for first time users which may help defray the cost. Sometimes a hospital pharmacy may sell a pen individually. We use a syringe to withdraw theinsulin, not the pen needles.
 
Yes, the Lantus Savings card guarantees you pay $25 per pen for up to 6 pens, but you need to make sure the prescription specifies "pen" and not "vial." I had luck with my local Walmart and they sell me the pens individually. It doesn't hurt that I had my vet write up the prescription as "Lantus pen [not plural], refills=5." So basically Walmart could only sell me what was prescribed: a single pen at a time. :lol:
 
Between vet bills, cat food, medication, and supplies, I'm not sure how I can afford all of this on a minimal paycheck. I love my cat to death, she is pretty much my fur baby, but it's really taking a toll, financially, and emotionally. I feel like a bad 'mother' because I can't afford it:(
 
The pack of pens will last you over six months. The advantage of pens is that you only Open one at a time so they last longer and are more durable if you drop one, and you always have a back up

Where do you live? We can give many $ saving tips..,
 
Typical starting doses of Lantus are around 0.5 to 1.0 units.

Because it is a different insulin, and lasts about 12 hours vs your prior insulin which only lasted 6-8 hours, you do not use the same dose as previously.

Instead, you take the lower of
a) the cats current weight
OR
b) the ideal weight, in kilograms.
(KG = lbs y 2.2)
Then multiply by 0.25
And round down to the nearest quarter unit, for safety.

Since U-100 syringes only mark 0.5 unit increments, you eyeball any quarter unit (0.25, 0.75) doses. It really helps to have a magnifier to see these doses, too.
 
i asked my vet about the pens, and she said that insulin did not come in pens, and went to the pharmacy the vial was 150$, seeings as im so far in the hole as it is i did not get the insulin. i have changed her food, and she is only eating wet food, and using the chart someone suggested in my other post, her glucose has been better since switching her food, and her behavior has improved significantly! although she is STARVING all of the time, she seems to be doing better.
 
i asked my vet about the pens, and she said that insulin did not come in pens
Click to expand...
The Lantus Solostar pen is a mini-vial of insulin. Many people on here use the Lantus Solostar pen, so yes it is available. Your vet is misinformed in this case.

Here is a link, directly from the manufacturers website. http://www.lantus.com/considering/benefits-lantus-solostar/know-solostar-pen.aspx about the Solostar pen. You can not use the dial a dose feature with the pen for the tiny doses cats need. It's not accurate enough or consistent enough. We use regular insulin syringes to draw the insulin out of the Solostar pen.
 
Where do you live? Country? state? I live in Canada and buy the Solostar pens all the time. Your vet may just be out of date.

Do you want to contact DCIN and see if they will help out with the cost of the insulin?

Whats her blood levels like now.. you are testing at home I think?

Wendy
 
Also check your local Craigslist for Lantus. It should have been kept refrigerated and not moved much, plus not be past expiration.
 
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