My 16 year old cat was recently diagnosed with diabetes, need advice please.

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@Dan&Heather -

Tutorials and tips for home testing for when you're ready to get started. (We can also help with coaching and other tips via the board.)

Home testing links and tips

Testing and injecting tips (has a very helpful diagram of testing 'sweet spot' on the ear)

A vet should be able to give you the basics on giving injections. You can build confidence by practising on an orange.

Signing off for the night (I'm in the UK) but there are members round the world so keep posting for help when you need it.

Saying prayers for Mittens.

:bighug:


Mogs
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Hi Dan & Heather, another member here to cheer you on and help if I can. Just know that you are doing everything you can right now and Mittens knows you are trying to help her. You have been given great advice so far and there is not much I can add. Just wondering if Mittens particularly likes tuna/ salmon. You could try a slurry (may need a little blender time) with one of those to see if it might stimulate her to take some food on her own too.
 
@Meya14
We noticed she wasn't finishing all of her food about a week ago. Starting about Saturday she was down to eating almost nothing.

She is not on insulin yet, hoping for that tomorrow.

We are not glucose testing at home yet but I am going to walmart after I post this to get the supplies we need.

I'm looking at the only paper we got from the vet and I don't see anything that says potassium or "K". I'm afraid that may have been something she may have tested for had we had the money for it.

She is currently on no kind of medication of any kind.

Also wanted to clarify we are actually in Michigan, just the center my vet told us to go to was in Wisconsin because we are close to the border and she said it's the closest one. I mention it because of the insulin. You mentioned a certain kind being available over the counter in Wisconsin. Is there any kind that you know of in Michigan over the counter? I'm not sure where to find out that information.

SubQ fluids. Is this the same as the fluids she gave Mittens under her skin the last time she was at the vet? Is that something she would have to write a prescription for?

@MrWorfMen's Mom We did actually try blending up a little tuna and water to see if the smell would make her want to eat. My husband gave it to her but if I remember right she treated it about the same as she has the rest, a couple licks at best. But thank you so much for the suggestion.

I'm going to walmart now for glucose testing supplies and more baby food.
 
Try raising the dish about 4-6 inches. Also see if she will eat out of your hand (raised, of course, to an easy height).

Wishing you the best at Walmart this time of year.
 
Dan&Heather said:
Is there any kind that you know of in Michigan over the counter?
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WalMart has an insulin called NPH that's available over the counter for about $25....it's the same thing as Novolin -N

Dan&Heather said:
I'm looking at the only paper we got from the vet and I don't see anything that says potassium or "K".
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It would have been part of bloodwork.....and usually unless you specifically ask for bloodwork results, they don't give them to you (in the future, always ask for copies of bloodwork or urine tests)

Dan&Heather said:
SubQ fluids. Is this the same as the fluids she gave Mittens under her skin the last time she was at the vet?
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Yes, fluids given under the skin are SubQ fluids....it can be done at home, but you'd need a script for the fluids

Another way to get a clean urine sample is to use clean aquarium gravel or even something like rinsed clean dried beans.....as long as it gives them something to "scratch" they will usually use it

Getting an accurate ketone test is the most important thing right now as well as trying to get some food into her

Any news from DCIN yet? If you haven't already done it, if you're on Facebook they have a group https://www.facebook.com/DiabeticCatsInNeed/?fref=ts you can post in

Also, if you haven't already done it, you can email Amy at Amy@dcin.info or Jenna at Jenna@dcin.info to make sure they've seen your application
 
Looks like you can buy regular insulin without a script in Michigan (not sure if my reference is up to date or not) and it appears you do not need a script for syringes either. It might be worth talking to the pharmacist at Walmart or other pharmacy to confirm.
 
I'm currently in Walmart. I found the ReliOn micro blood glucose monitoring system and the test strips that go with it. On the box it says it doesn't come with a download cable or control solution. Are these things I need to look for while I'm here?
 
Dan&Heather said:
I'm currently in Walmart. I found the ReliOn micro blood glucose monitoring system and the test strips that go with it. On the box it says it doesn't come with a download cable or control solution. Are these things I need to look for while I'm here?
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You don't need either one. For a control, you can test yourself if the cat gives you a wonky number. A download cable is for uploading all the information in the memory of the meter. You will have the spreadsheet here that will give you that information.
 
Thank you for your reply. Ok, I'm heading to the checkout and going home to try to test her glucose level. I got more baby food for her while I was here and I think I'll get a few of the fancy feast classic cans. If the pharmacy was open I would have at least asked about that insulin. I'm hoping to get a better urine sample and reading when I get home. Hope I'm not forgetting anything important. If I am I can come back easily.
 
For the insulin when you do go back, make sure you ask for N (NPH type insulin) and not R (Regular) insulin. Most states, both are sold over the counter to allow diabetics who don't have proper finances or insurance, or access to doctors to at least have insulin to live. Syringes vary state to state if you need a script. Some pharmacies wont sell needles without a script even if the law says they can.

As far as my comment, "don't go back to that vet" take it with a grain of salt. When you go back, ask for the things you want and hopefully your vet will provide them for you. She/he probably isn't experienced with diabetics and feels your case is hopeless, it's not.

For subQ fluids, most vets can sell you a bag/tubing/needles there that will last maybe a week. They can show you how to do it at home, it's really not too complicated. It cost me about $20 for all the supplies. Please ask your vet for a potassium test if possible, I'm not sure how expensive this lab is. It's somewhat dangerous to give fluids without checking electrolytes. To support electrolytes, you can use plain pedialyte instead of water.
 
Ok, I will ask the vet about buying the supplies for the fluids tomorrow morning and ask about having a potassium test. I got the glucose meter and test strips at walmart just now. We just got done boiling some more chicken for her and are letting it cool before we try to feed it to her. In the meantime I mixed a little baby food (with no onions or garlic) with a little water and tried to give it to her. She kept turning her head away and wouldnt eat it but almost as soon as I set it down and turned around to attend to the chicken she ate several licks of it and then she drank some water. Not tons of water but a decent little amount, she also drank some water right after I got home from work tonight. We raised her water dish up for her and she drank a little more, I think it will be easier for her like that. I also saw her looking at the liter box, which I put some plastic in, so hopefully she uses it soon so I can test a good sample with those strips. We are going to give her the chicken soon. My next question is if there is an ideal time to test her blood sugar? Should we do it before she eats anything or after or both?
 
We just tested her blood sugar for the first time. It was a little bit overwhelming, but I watched some videos and it turned out easier than I thought it would be. Her number was 357. That's alot lower than it was at the vet. She hasn't drank a whole lot of water today, but it's been more than she has for the last few days. She ate a little bit of food earlier and we fed her with the oral syringe a couple hours ago. Just now we offered her some food after we tested her and she ate a few licks of it. We are going to give her some more from the syringe after we let her chill for a few minutes.
 
That's a lot lower than I feared it would be....keep doing what you're doing and hopefully you'll be able to get into the vet and get started on a good insulin soon...You want Lantus, Levemir or ProZinc....those are the 3 main insulins that work best in cats.

Most cats will need to use the litter box after they eat too, so maybe you'll be able to get another ketone test in tonight

if plastic doesn't work, you can use something like dried beans or aquarium rocks....rinse them well and put into a litter box....they won't absorbed the urine and once you have your sample, you can rewash them and they'll be ready to use next time.

Good luck to you and Mittens.....we'll be here to help you every step of the way!!
 
Rooting for you, Mittens!

Dan and Heather, you are doing such a great job. I'm so glad to hear Mittens has had a little bit to eat and also something to drink. It really is a case of 'every little helps'. Fingers and paws crossed for your little one to keep this up. (((Mittens)))

Praying for all to go well today and that the vet will be helpful.

:bighug:


Mogs
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Dan&Heather said:
Ok, I will ask the vet about buying the supplies for the fluids tomorrow morning and ask about having a potassium test. I got the glucose meter and test strips at walmart just now. We just got done boiling some more chicken for her and are letting it cool before we try to feed it to her. In the meantime I mixed a little baby food (with no onions or garlic) with a little water and tried to give it to her. She kept turning her head away and wouldnt eat it but almost as soon as I set it down and turned around to attend to the chicken she ate several licks of it and then she drank some water. Not tons of water but a decent little amount, she also drank some water right after I got home from work tonight. We raised her water dish up for her and she drank a little more, I think it will be easier for her like that. I also saw her looking at the liter box, which I put some plastic in, so hopefully she uses it soon so I can test a good sample with those strips. We are going to give her the chicken soon. My next question is if there is an ideal time to test her blood sugar? Should we do it before she eats anything or after or both?
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You're doing a great job! 357 is high but not horriblly high. My cat is often in the 300's. Not where kitty should be but not the end of the world.

I have good luck catching my cats urine stream with a little plastic lid. Something flat with a little lip, i sneak under him when he squats. I have also put the strip into his stream but thats just a little harder to see whats going on.
 
All fingers and paws crossed for Mittens here too! Great to hear that she has had a little water and food on her own. Hope the vet visit goes well! Keeping you and Mittens in my thoughts and prayers! :bighug:
 
Just got back from the vet, they gave Mittens more fluids. I did ask about vitamin B12 that was mentioned in a post a ways back and asked about testing her potassium. Both questions seemed like they confused the girl. I didn't see the actual vet today. When I asked about those things she looked at the computer and said "oh, it doesn't say anything about that on here, you would have to make another appointment for that." So then I asked about insulin. She said " We could possibly do insulin but we don't think it's going to help" and then suggested that we put her to sleep again. I feel like the people there are super nice, but they don't seem to think there is anything that can be done for her. It's frustrating. We had the best night we've had in almost a week last night because the people on here are giving us so much hope that we can help her and then every time I talk to the vet's office the hope is taken away. Earlier someone mentioned that maybe she is not very experienced with diabetic cats, I'm thinking that more and more because of the things that are said on here.

We just got a good sample to try the ketone strips on. It looked to me like it matched the color for trace amounts.

So now I'm not sure what to do. Do I call the pharmacy and ask about over the counter insulin? Do I call back to see if I can talk to the actual vet and ask her about a prescription for insulin?

I'm going to try to feed her now, maybe she feels a little better after the fluids.
 
I also asked about an anti-nausea and got the same weird look. It sounded important in previous posts, but I don't know if i'll be able to get it from the vet. Should I call and ask if I can give her that pepsid? I got held up at work yesterday and wasn't able to call in time to ask about it and didn't think of it while I was there today. Would that help enough to make it worth trying?
 
OK, I am really not liking your vet's office, at all.

I'm not expert enough to be able to answer these questions, so I'll ask a couple back:

1) How does Mittens seem to be feeling/acting today? Any better?
2) Have you gotten any more blood glucose tests in? Where is she now? [this might influence the answer about whether to start with the OTC insulin or wait until you are able to see a better vet-- and I definitely think you need to get a better vet!!!!! :mad:]
3) Any word from DCIN?

Hope the fluids perk her up a bit-- I do think she's going to need more than that, but I'll wait until the experts weigh in.
 
I am most displeased with the veterinary service you are getting. They are making this so hard for you. I am incredulous at what seems to be a practice of 1. Not knowing the answer, so 2. Suggest euthanasia. The things you asked of them are completely relevant for your cats conditon. Its routine stuff, they should know this! I hope you can find a new vet soon.

Someone more experienced here can make recommendations about otc, that is something i dont know. The eating and drinking is good. How is her mood?
 
I could crown your vets! :mad:

Is there any other practice near you?

My Saoirse was 14 when she was first diagnosed. When I first took her to the vets to discuss her symptoms (rusted, dander-ridden coat, bald tummy, drinking and peeing like crazy, insanely hungry, losing weight, depressed and withdrawn) the vet who saw her basically told me her clinical signs were perfectly normal for a cat of her age, that she was just an "old lady" who had had a "good innings." The vet point blank refused to run ANY diagnostic tests when I requested them. She gave Saoirse a steroid jab and packed us off home.

I came home. I found FDMB. I monitored Saoirse's water consumption for a fortnight. Saoirse was getting more lethargic and miserable by the day. Armed with what I learned here at FDMB I went back to the surgery, DEMANDED tests and Saoirse was on insulin by that evening. For the early part of the treatment the vet refused my requests for Saoirse to be put on a diabetic-friendly diet and to teach me to home test BG. They also insisted that Saoirse only be fed twice a day and when Saoirse started having painful vomiting bouts as a consequence the vet I spoke to was worse than cold: I was told - verbatim - "She'll just have to get used to it. She's had it her own way for long enough." Quite frankly I was utterly disgusted with the appalling attitude these vets had towards their patients. I started feeding Saoirse every three hours and I quickly found a new vet.

Our main vet at the new practice had been treating his own cat for diabetes for many years. He supported home testing and low carb food. He and the other vets at the practice were warm and caring. It was like chalk and cheese.

Not long after starting insulin Saoirse had a bad pancreatitis flare and for a time she was really, really sick. She was extremely lethargic, she couldn't eat, and her fur was falling out in clumps. There were times when I really thought I might lose her. Not once did our vet suggest euthanasia. It took the right supportive meds and a lot of home nursing but once Saoirse started eating and drinking well again the speed with which she recovered was truly astonishing. A couple of weeks later at her check-up our vet was gobsmacked at Saoirse's improvement. He said that if she hadn't been his patient he would have thought she was a much, much younger cat. (She looked just like her picture in her FDMB profile - link is in my signature below.)

I've shared this story to try to give you a bit of hope. It can be amazing what the right treatments will do. It's just a dreadful situation when a bad vet gets in the way of a cat receiving them.

Prayers for little Mittens continue. (((Mittens)))

:bighug:


Mogs
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I would try the ketone test strips on yourself and see if the color looks the same, in the same light you checked Mitten's test in. Let us know.. Often the test strips will look between negative and trace. It's a subtle difference. I hope Mitten's is negative.
I stopped seeing a once beloved vet I had used for a long time, because when J.D. was around 14, that vet started handing him back to me, when I went in with complaints, and just kept telling me "He's old.". That's not an answer. We started using another vet at the same practice, after that, and because of her working with me on his issues, he lived another 6 years. I think vets should just say the words "I don't know." and either try to do some research or refer you to someone (another vet) who does, but they don't seem to do that very often :(
I'm glad you got the fluids, and that Mittens is eating and drinking. Keep testing for ketones daily, for a while.
I would call and ask to speak to the vet, or ask for the vet to call you back if he is busy at the moment. He may be able to give you a prescription for insulin, and leave out some fluids with administration lines and needles, and some B12, and anti-nausea drug, for you to pick up.

I wish you the Best Of Luck. I can understand how much you love your kitty from your posts.
 
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Your vet's office staff should be lined up and one by one dipped in vat of tar, feathered and left out to dry in the desert sun....in a very remote place I might add!
:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:I agree it's time for a new vet.

Is this by any chance a country vet more used to dealing with barn cats/farm animals than family pets? I ask because if that's the case, maybe they aren't use to anyone wanting to treat diabetic cats especially one in their senior years. So while that is definitely giving them more benefit of the doubt than they deserve, if you do call them for info or have to take Mittens in there again, I would preface any conversation with " we will not be entertaining any possibility of euthanasia so don't bother mentioning it. This is what we want done" and then proceed with any other questions you might have. Sometimes you have to put your foot down. If they persist, find another vet.
 
Dan&Heather said:
We just got a good sample to try the ketone strips on. It looked to me like it matched the color for trace amounts.
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This is really encouraging news. :)

You need to keep checking ketone levels to make sure they stay low (ideally negative). Keeping up fluids will help flush ketones from the system. Every scrap of food you can get into Mittens will help, too.

Dan&Heather said:
I also asked about an anti-nausea and got the same weird look. It sounded important in previous posts, but I don't know if i'll be able to get it from the vet. Should I call and ask if I can give her that pepsid [...] Would that help enough to make it worth trying?
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Please do ask them for an Rx for an anti-nausea treatment (Cerenia is probably cheaper); the worst that can happen is that they say no. Also, ask about the Pepcid AC (famotidine). (Famotidine is widely used in cats to control stomach acid but best to check all OTC meds with vet as a precaution.) If you don't have any other anti-nausea med it is certainly worth trying the famotidine. Anything that may help with the nausea is worth trying.

Dan&Heather said:
So now I'm not sure what to do. Do I call the pharmacy and ask about over the counter insulin? Do I call back to see if I can talk to the actual vet and ask her about a prescription for insulin?
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If I were in your predicament I would call the vet back and ask for an insulin Rx. If that didn't work I'd try ringing other local vets to check over the phone if they would be willing to treat subject to examining Mittens today (no point booking an office visit with any vet not willing to try to help her).

If you get no joy with a vet I think your only option then is to follow the suggestion by Chris and Meya to get the NPH (Novolin N) that's available over the counter. Mittens needs insulin to get better. Members here will be able to help you get started with the insulin and also with when to test to keep Mittens safe.


Mogs
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When we got back from the vet she walked around a little more than she had in the last few days, but now she's just laying down on her rug in the kitchen like she had been doing. She didn't really want anything to do with the food we tried to give to her when we got back, just a couple of licks again.

We haven't done another glucose test yet, but we will be doing one very soon and let you know what it says.

So, if I understand all of this, I should call the vet and ask for a prescription for insulin. She said the other day that she can write one if that's what we wanted to do but warned me that it will be pretty expensive from the pharmacy and that she didn't think it would work. One lady there told me that again today, that she doesn't think insulin will do anything for Mittens. If for some reason she doesn't want to write the prescription I should call around to see if she can be seen by another vet to possibly get her looked at and get a prescription. We live in a relatively small town (about 13,000 ppl) but there are a couple other vets offices I can call.

Dyana said:
I would call and ask to speak to the vet, or ask for the vet to call you back if he is busy at the moment. He may be able to give you a prescription for insulin, and leave out some fluids with administration lines and needles, and some B12, and anti-nausea drug, for you to pick up.
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So I can call the vet and request these things and go pick them up assuming the vet ok's it? Do you think there's any reason she might say no? The fluids with administration lines and needles is so we can give her more fluids at home if needed, right? The B12 and anti-nausea drug is something we can give her here? Is it injections or some kind of tablet?
 
You can call and ask to speak to your current vet, and ask for a prescription for insulin, the fluids, B12, and an anti-nausea med. Lots of people do fluids at home, and there is a video on this board somewhere that will help you to do them, but they are dangerous if Mittens has a heart condition, so you have to ask your vet about them, of course they have been giving them for you at the vet and charging you for it, so I guess she is okay to get fluids. I would still confirm with your vet that fluids are okay. I used to give weekly B12 injections to my cat, my vet just sold me the vial and it was cheap. For anti-nausea, I had my vet write my cat a prescription for ondansetron (which is cheapest at Costco Pharmacy (you don't need to be a member to use their pharmacy), but call around for the best price) and sometimes I used Cerenia which I got from the vet. I think they have Cerenia in injectable form, but I always used the tablets.
If your vet takes too long to call you back (if not available at the moment), then I would start calling the other vets in the area and ask if they can see and treat your cat for diabetes, this afternoon.
 
Dyana said:
If your vet takes too long to call you back (if not available at the moment), then I would start calling the other vets in the area and ask if they can see and treat your cat for diabetes, this afternoon.
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Be sure to tell any other vets that Mittens was diagnosed on Monday and needs insulin treatment to start ASAP (i.e. before the weekend). Give other vet(s) BG and ketone test results.

And try to get any new vet to prescribe anti-nausea meds, too. (Say Mittens is still interested in food but just can't eat unassisted due to nausea at the moment.)


Mogs
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Dan&Heather said:
So I can call the vet and request these things and go pick them up assuming the vet ok's it? Do you think there's any reason she might say no?
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She might say no. I can't understand her refusal to treat - the 'might not work' reasoning is illogical. I think she's not making any good decisions and is failing her patient. Badly.

I'm so upset that the staff at your current practice won't even try to treat. (I think that's terribly wrong of them.) If the only other option they can offer is euthanasia then where on God's green earth is the harm in at least trying an anti-nausea treatment and some insulin? It's a heck of a lot better than their alternative. :mad: :(

If I lived near you I'd happily volunteer to go in with you to speak to them.

(((Dan, Heather & Mittens)))

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Ok, I called the vet's office. I couldn't speak with the vet because she's not in the office today. She said she could take my questions and have her get back to me.

1. I asked about an anti-nausea medicine for Mittens. She said they have that and she will ask the doctor for it.

2.Then I asked about the fluids and supplies that go with administering them at home. She said they do sell them to people, we would just come in and they would show us how to do it and then we can buy the stuff.

3. She said they can give Mittens B12. She said I can't buy it from them, we would have to bring her in every couple of weeks to get it.

4. I asked for a prescription for insulin and she said she would speak to the doctor about it.

Then she said that the doctor that saw Mittens was not going to be back in the office until tomorrow and she would give her my questions and have her call me back in the morning. There are four vets at this clinic I believe, so I asked if another doctor could take a look at Mittens case and address these things. She said absolutely that's possible and that is what she will do. She said it would probably be better for the original doctor to do it but that the new one can review her information and answer these questions. So now I'm just waiting to hear back from them.
 
Is Mittens eating?
It doesn't hurt to call around to other vets to see what they say. Tell them your story, you will probably be talking to a receptionist when you call and hopefully one that loves animals, and will try to help you to help your cat. If your vet's office doesn't get back to you until just before or after they close (which mine often do), ask them to leave the stuff in the pick up box outside, if they have one.
 
Keeping EVERYTHING crossed that the other vet there today will come through for Mittens.

I know it's a very scary prospect to have a bit of a debate with one's vet but if one keeps insisting what one wants (as Linda recommends above) it can make a huge difference in being able to get hold of the right treatments.

Maybe if you tell this different vet at the practice that you are all geared up to home test Mittens and to run curves (BG checks at regular intervals) to monitor her initial response to insulin and make sure she's safe it might help with persuading him to issue the insulin Rx.

Re the B12 getting a single dose now could be quite helpful to Mittens (can perk a kitty up a bit, too). Just concentrate on what she needs right now. Worry about the rest of the course when that time comes.


Mogs
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I agree with the at least getting a B12 shot for now. Maybe when you pick up the other meds., they will be willing to give her a shot of B12 at that time too. Crossed fingers and paws for cooperation from the vet who calls you back.
 
Dan&Heather said:
She said it would probably be better for the original doctor to do it but that the new one can review her information and answer these questions.
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Given that you're not being helped by the original doctor remember that you are completely within your rights to seek a second opinion - even from another vet within the same practice.

(It's incredible how much difference there can be between vets - not least of all in treatment style and attitude - even those under the same roof! Get the right vet(s) at the practice and you can much better results.)


Mogs
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She's pretty much just eating what we give to her in the syringe. We are trying to slowly give her a little more each time we feed her and we're going to try to do it more and more often to make sure she's getting enough. She is still trying to drink some water here and there.

They called back. They said we can give her 1/4 of a tablet of the pepcid ac as long as its the famotidine kind for nausea. I got some yesterday but didn't want to give it to her since I didn't have the ok from the vet yet. The one I got is 20mg tablets, I looked for 10 mg but couldn't find any. She told me I should go back and try to find the smaller mg one, which I will do in a few minutes. When I get it how should we give it to her?

They want me to come in at 11 am tomorrow to see the vet, the original one. I guess they do not write prescriptions for insulin unless you come in to have them show and explain to you how to get it started. She said at this appointment we will learn how to give the insulin and Mittens would receive more fluids, which we would administer so they can teach us how to do it and then we can purchase the fluid and supplies to do it at home. She said we can discuss the B12 at that time tomorrow too. I was going to at least get her a shot of it tomorrow even if we can't buy any to do at home. There is some more lab work that we didn't have the money for the first time that they also want to do tomorrow, she wasn't specific about what that was and I kinda freeze when I'm on the phone so I didn't ask her to clarify. I just remembered that there was more they wanted to do but I couldn't afford at the time.

I told her that we got the glucose meter and tested her blood sugar at home and she sounded a little weirded out by that. She said the vet recomends that we do not do our own testing at home, that we should bring her in for that. They would have her come back in a week or two and keep her for the day, testing her sugars every so often to create a glucose curve and adjust her insulin dose if necessary and she may have to come in and have this done every few weeks for a while to make sure the dose is still correct.

She said the insulin prescribed would be around $200 a vial from a pharmacy. The cost of the appointment tomorrow is estimated to be around $202, which is fine. I am a little concerned about the price of the insulin. We could do it, but it's going to get pretty complicated financially if we do, but if that's what has to happen that's what it will be.
 
Dan&Heather said:
She said the vet recomends that we do not do our own testing at home, that we should bring her in for that.
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Red Flag!
That's a money grab and not in Mitten's or your best interest. What you do at home is up to you so if there is any further discussion about home testing just nod and pretend to agree for now. You can do the same thing as the vet for far less cost and keeping Mittens comfortable in her own environment. Keeping her calm at home will give you far more accurate BG readings and prevent having the vet prescribe too much insulin which is a common problem we see here.

Have you contacted/heard from DCIN? They can help with insulin, syringes etc.
 
Dan&Heather said:
She said the insulin prescribed would be around $200 a vial from a pharmacy
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I'd ask which insulin they're talking about.....Lantus is available at human pharmacies and is an excellent choice for Mittens, but it IS quite expensive here in the US.....a 10ml vial is closer to $300....the problem with the vial is that it contains 1000 units....most cats don't need more than 2 units twice a day so after a few months (4-6 months) you're going to end up throwing a lot of insulin away.

Don't believe it if you're told it has to be replaced every 28 days either...if it's cared for properly, it can last 4-6 months.

Lantus is also available in a pen (it's the exact same drug) It's called Lantus Solostar Pen ....Most vets don't know about the pens so print that out if it would help. The problem is that a box of 5 pens is around $500 (or more) BUT some pharmacies will sell you just a single pen! I'd start calling around now and see if you can find someone who is at least willing to sell you a single pen!! That's 300 units which is enough to last most cats a couple of months

We don't use the special needles that the pens use....we use plain insulin syringes (just like you'd use with a vial) and pull the insulin out of the pen. You pull the cap off and there's a rubber stopper just like a vial.
syringe in pen pic.jpg
syringe in pen close up.jpg


You can get insulin syringes from WalMart...the Relion 3/10ml, 30 or 31 gauge, 8mm insulin syringes are $12.58 for a box of 100
 
If you can lay out the money for insulin initially, for the future you can wait to have some shipped from either the people posting in The Supply Closet (have you checked that out yet?) or from the Canadian pharmacies (where it is like 1/3 the cost of what you get in the US). I just think she needs insulin now or ASAP. If you can get a prescription for Lantus which is a good long acting insulin, if you buy it later from the Canadian pharmacies I think it's like $100+ (I'm not totally sure as I eventually switched to Levemir, but bought my insulin from the Canadian pharmacies many times) it could last you a year for the five 3ml pens depending upon your dose. That to me, is not too expensive. Also, it is probabl too cold right now to be sending insulin through the mail as it can not be frozen.
Lots of vets don't encourage home testing. We have heard this hundreds, if not thousands of times before. I guess most people won't "go that extra mile" to ensure their babies are going to be okay with the dose. Also, I agree it's a way for the vets to get money. Like Linda said, just nod your head at the vet, and then do your home testing. Kitties often are stressed out at the vet along with the car rides to get there and often test higher and then the vet ups the dose and it's too much of a dose once the cats are back home and not stressed out. The testing we do at home will tell a lot more about how the insulin is working and how low the dose is taking your cat (how safe is the dose), than having your cat stay at the vets all day for a few tests while under vet stress.
I'm glad you are syringe feeding. Did you see the assist feeding cat video? Mittens may need over 200 calories per day, but everything you can get in will help. Keep up the good work for your girl.
 
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