Glipizide

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Nikki_Renee

Nikki_Renee

Member Since 2015
Our vet started us on a pill called glipizide yesterday. It's 5mg and we are to give it to him twice a day. His BG was 318 this morning when I gave him his first dose. By this evening when I gave him his second pill it was down to 98. Its never been anywhere close to this low. Anyone have any experience with this medication? I'm a little nervous about his BG becoming too low.
 
We avoid using oral meds as they push the pancreas to work harder, rather than rest, which reduces the chances of diet-controlled status.
The switch to canned food may be part of the glucose reduction.
We've heard that the Special Diet is being discontinued; you will need to look for another low carb, low ash and phosphorus food.
 
BJM said:
We avoid using oral meds as they push the pancreas to work harder, rather than rest, which reduces the chances of diet-controlled status.
The switch to canned food may be part of the glucose reduction.
We've heard that the Special Diet is being discontinued; you will need to look for another low carb, low ash and phosphorus food.
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We've been on that food about a month and never had numbers this low. I wasn't aware that they were discontinuing it though. He really likes it and it has helped a lot. I'm going to have to do research on these pills I hiess because I definitely don't want his pancreas over worked.
 
Feeding canned food takes care of a big part of why crystals may form - dehydration. You might see how he does off it. My housemate's cat had a bladder stone removed. Although he's a marker, no further signs of crystals or stones have been observed in the 3 years he's been living in my condo.
 
BJM said:
Feeding canned food takes care of a big part of why crystals may form - dehydration. You might see how he does off it. My housemate's cat had a bladder stone removed. Although he's a marker, no further signs of crystals or stones have been observed in the 3 years he's been living in my condo.
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The vet originally thought that he may be fine with just the food switch, but his 14 day average was 260. The vet said that was too high and suggested we try these pills before trying insulin.

There have also been no issues with crystals since the switch.
 
I would encourage you to try insulin. It lets the pancreas rest, and in the cat, the pancreas may recover function. They do vary in price per unit (that is how to compare the costs among them).

BCP PZI and ProZinc are U-40 insulins with 40 units per milliliter (mL). They are both veterinary insulins. They may be purchased online with a prescription sent to the supplier.

Lantus and Levemir are U-100 insulins with 100 units per mL. Ordering these from Canada is significantly less costly than in the US. If you know a diabetic already on one of these, the person may have leftover insulin that isn't needed, which you could use.
 
BJM said:
I would encourage you to try insulin. It lets the pancreas rest, and in the cat, the pancreas may recover function. They do vary in price per unit (that is how to compare the costs among them).

BCP PZI and ProZinc are U-40 insulins with 40 units per milliliter (mL). They are both veterinary insulins. They may be purchased online with a prescription sent to the supplier.

Lantus and Levemir are U-100 insulins with 100 units per mL. Ordering these from Canada is significantly less costly than in the US. If you know a diabetic already on one of these, the person may have leftover insulin that isn't needed, which you could use.
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Thanks for the advice. I'm going to contact my vet first thing tomorrow.
 
When you talk to your vet, ask if that 260 was a fructosamine test result

The scale used for that test is a lot different than the regular blood glucose numbers
 
Chris & China said:
When you talk to your vet, ask if that 260 was a fructosamine test result

The scale used for that test is a lot different than the regular blood glucose numbers
Click to expand...

The 260 was a 14 day average I did at home. I tested him 4 times a day. Once before his morning meal and once before his evening meal and then 2 hours after each. I did them at the same time everyday.
 
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