new vet pen user

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joanne A

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Hi, my cat will be shortly. Using a canninsulin vet pen, does anyone knew how much the needles and insulin cartriges are. I live in the uk. Thank you . Jo
 
Have you already bought the Vetpen, Jo? If not, I'd reconsider. The lowest dose you can measure on it is 0.5IU Caninsulin. If you need to refine the dose it is much, much easier to use a conventional insulin syringe. I bought a Vetpen and only got to use it about 3 times before the 0.5iu dose was too high for Saoirse. I had hoped it would be much easier to use but I found it to be very clunky and awkward to handle compared to a conventional syringe, too. I think they might work well for dogs that need higher doses but for a cat I think they do not have as much to offer. I regretted my purchase.

If you do want to go ahead with the Vetpen check out www.animeddirect.co.uk - they tend to be the cheapest online for stuff like insulin, Vetpens, Alphatrak meters and supplies, and many Rx meds. (Syringes and lancets are cheaper on either Amazon or ebay.)

How is your kitty doing in general, Jo? What dose is your kitty currently receiving? If you let us know maybe we might be able to give you some pointers on dose measurement, etc.


Mogs
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The only reason my cat is going to have a vetpen is because according to the vet they will no longer be able to get the syringes.
 
You should be able to get U-40 syringes (red cap) online. Animed Direct are currently listing Caninsulin syringes as available:

http://www.animeddirect.co.uk/caninsulin-syringes-1ml-pack-of-30.html

Even if you were not able to get U-40 insulin syringes you would still have the option to use U-100 syringes (orange cap) with a U40-U100 dose conversion chart. (For future reference, if your kitty were to need very small doses of Caninsulin (less than 0.5IU) it is easier to measure tiny doses of U40 insulin using the conversion chart and 0.3ml U100 syringes with half-unit markings.)


Mogs



IMPORTANT NOTE FOR GENERAL READERS OF THIS THREAD:

NEVER use U40 syringes with U100 insulin - to do so would be to overdose your cat.
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Hi Joanne,
Two thoughts occur (which is actually twice as many (at least!) as I often have going on in my head at any one time lately... ;) )

Firstly, if the Caninsulin vials and syringes are being discontinued (in favour of the Vetpen cartridges.) then, initially, you may find it a lot cheaper to go with the Caninsulin insulin in vials and use the available syringes until they become unavailable. If your vet doesn't want to get these in stock for you then you may well be able to get a prescription and get the Caninsulin online.... And, as Mogs said above, Caninsulin syringes are also available online (without prescription). I see that these have suddenly dropped in price, which rather bears out what you say about Caninsulin only going to be available in the Vetpen cartidges soon...(and that is a shame....)

Secondly, if your kitty isn't yet on insulin then this might be a good time to switch him/her to a wet lower carb diet. This can greatly reduce the insulin requirements of many kitties. Is your vet planning to get your kitty into the clinic for a day to assess what the 'appropriate dose' may be? Or have they already suggested a dose based on blood glucose tests done at the vet...?

Oh, and welcome to FDMB! :bighug:

Eliz
 
We don't know how your kitty is doing at the moment but if you're treating with Caninsulin and the regulation/clinical signs aren't all you might wish for there is always the option to ask your vet to prescribe a different insulin (e.g. Lantus) via the drugs cascade.

@Elizabeth and Bertie - do you know of any reason why it might not be recommended to use a Caninsulin Vetpen insulin cartridge with a conventional syringe (as is common for Lantus users)? I used a U100 0.3ml demi syringe, conversion chart and Caninsulin pen cartridge in the last period of Saoirse's Caninsulin treatment (with support from our vet).


Mogs
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thank you for all the advice. mitzi hs been on insulin for three years I have ordered syringes online before. my problem is that I live in a flat which has a porch door and a front door and the flats have their own doors, so parcels have to be left downstairs and my last lot of syringes got delivered next door who denied all knowledge of them.
 
Critter Mom said:
@Elizabeth and Bertie - do you know of any reason why it might not be recommended to use a Caninsulin Vetpen insulin cartridge with a conventional syringe (as is common for Lantus users)?
Click to expand...
No, I don't know, Mogs. I used an old fashioned Caninsulin vial with syringes, so you have a whole lot more experience than I do in this regard. My best guess is that the manufacturers want to channel their customers in a specific (and more profitable (geez, I'm a cynic... ;) )) direction... Did you have any problems drawing up insulin from the Caninsulin cartridge...?
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That's really awkward. I know it's a bit cheeky but maybe you could ask your vet if they'd order the syringes on your behalf from an online source and take delivery of the syringes for you? (Brainstorming here.)

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Beaka said:
This should give you an idea of costs xx

Viovet
Vet pen starter pack @£56.00 depending on size
Cartridges 10x2.7 £59.62
Needles 100 £32.81
Click to expand...

Hi @Beaka (Carol?),
Are you buying your insulin online? And if so, did your vet charge you for supplying a prescription? (My understanding is that they can charge up to £15...)

Eliz
 
I don't use a pen either. I thought I wanted to but I started with the syringes and vial and haven't changed. Because Rosie was so difficult to inject at the start I had to get in there quickly and do it, I can't imagine having time to wait for the marker on the pen to get back to zero! She's really good with the injections now amazingly 4 weeks in, but we're used to the syringes now.
Also the home testing is getting easier but we still aren't getting blood! I've tried different lancet pens and free hand (disaster) and I am warming her ears but no joy Soooo frustrating xx
 
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