Help with different treatment paths

[KWT]

Hi! I'm Kate, and my boy Whiskey (5yrs) was diagnosed on Friday.

As the vet left a voicemail right before closing time Friday, all I know is that Whiskey is diabetic and she wants to start him on an oral medication.

I think she wants to go with Bexacat or Senvelgo, but I after reading about hyperglycemia/DKA risks, I don't think I want to go that route.

I'm hoping to hear about your experience with different medications/insulin products, so I can talk to my vet and advocate for Whiskey with as much information under my belt as possible.

Thanks in advance!

(Other details: I've got a blood glucose meter and am monitoring his BG. I am not averse to injecting insulin; I was caregiver to my mother and have giving injections. The vet thinks it is likely he can go into remission.)

 

[squeem3]

Glipizide is another oral option but it doesn't work well for diabetic cats. I'm not sure if vets even prescribe that anymore.

For insulin, the two best choices are Lantus (glargine) and ProZinc.

Lantus is a Human insulin so you purchase it at a Human pharmacy with a prescription. You will need to get U100 3/10cc syringes with half unit markings. You can buy the syringes online. Amazon doesn't require a prescription but some other web sites might depending on what your state law is (if you live in the US).

ProZinc is a pet insulin so you either buy it from the vet or the vet will give you a prescription to buy from a veterinary pharmacy like the one at Chewy.com You need to use U40 syringes with ProZinc, at least to start. There is a way to use U100 syringes with ProZinc but there's a dose conversion.

More info on Lantus: Lantus / Levemir / Biosimilars

More info on ProZinc: Prozinc / PZI

Info on Bexacat etc: Info - New Treatments for Feline Diabetes

Avoid Vetsulin / Caninsulin and the Humulins. These don't work well for cats.

 

[KWT]

Glipizide is another oral option but it doesn't work well for diabetic cats. I'm not sure if vets even prescribe that anymore.

For insulin, the two best choices are Lantus (glargine) and ProZinc.

Lantus is a Human insulin so you purchase it at a Human pharmacy with a prescription. You will need to get U100 3/10cc syringes with half unit markings. You can buy the syringes online. Amazon doesn't require a prescription but some other web sites might depending on what your state law is (if you live in the US).

ProZinc is a pet insulin so you either buy it from the vet or the vet will give you a prescription to buy from a veterinary pharmacy like the one at Chewy.com You need to use U40 syringes with ProZinc, at least to start. There is a way to use U100 syringes with ProZinc but there's a dose conversion.

More info on Lantus: Lantus / Levemir / Biosimilars

More info on ProZinc: Prozinc / PZI

Info on Bexacat etc: Info - New Treatments for Feline Diabetes

Avoid Vetsulin / Caninsulin and the Humulins. These don't work well for cats.

This is very helpful, thank you!