Splitting Prozink into smaller vials?

[Anna_S]

Hello,

I am keeping my cat on Prozink for about 2 years now, with no sign of improvement. I noticed that after 2 months after the new vial is opened, the effectiveness is going down. However, we are on 0.75 to 1 units dosage, and only manage to use a quarter or third of the vial's size. Then the rest goes to waste.

I was wondering, what if I bought sterile vials of smaller size? E.g. 3ml vials (the original is 10ml). Then i will take a third for example, and separate it into a smaller vial and use that, and the big one will not be continuously needled and not experience any time outside the fridge, no rolling, therefore less bacteria and decomposition of proteins.

Do you think this could prolong the shelf life? Does anyone do that?

Thanks for your advice!

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

I have not heard of anyone doing this before. Many of our members are able to use their ProZinc vial for six months. It’s an interesting idea. How would you keep the contents sterile when transferring the insulin to a new vial?

Do you test at home then to get the blood glucose numbers? Two years is a long time to not see improvement. If you had a spreadsheet with blood glucose data, I might have some insight into what is going on. Have you considered a different insulin such as Lantus/glargine insulin?

 

[Anna_S]

I have not heard of anyone doing this before. Many of our members are able to use their ProZinc vial for six months. It’s an interesting idea. How would you keep the contents sterile when transferring the insulin to a new vial?

Do you test at home then to get the blood glucose numbers? Two years is a long time to not see improvement. If you had a spreadsheet with blood glucose data, I might have some insight into what is going on. Have you considered a different insulin such as Lantus/glargine insulin?

Oh, maybe I am doing something wrong. We are usually very careful with rolling the vial, and never leave it outside the fridge. I also noticed that nadirs are now coming later - maybe it is due to the diet. The lowest BG was at +4 hours 2-1 years ago, but now it seems to be at +6.
I have a spreadsheet, here is the direct link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SQU4jhY6AtLPNC0AijpH8C82kOSAzUov4ZiH3fvc44I/edit?gid=5#gid=5

I am not testing regularly, usually I test when I am worried, or just checking, or changing anything in diet. Lately I noticed the amount of urine increased, so I started testing again.

Could the worsening be due to development of kidney disease? I tested the SDMA on may 2024, it was 16.9, since then I started draining his food from the broth, and on Oct 2024 SDMA was 14.1 (the labs are in the tabs of the spreadsheet). I thought it is an improvement, but at the same time blood glucose average levels rose. However, nadirs were close to 7, and since I am at work during the day, and not testing regularly, I thought its fine to have it like this - at least I'm not scared of hypoglycaemia.

The vet hasn't suggested the switch to the other insulin.

In terms of the insulin separation - maybe I could get a large sterile syringe, and transfer as much as I can take in one syringe into the other bottle. If I do this, I will test to see if there is any significant difference.

 

[crazycatlady18]

Hello,

I am keeping my cat on Prozink for about 2 years now, with no sign of improvement. I noticed that after 2 months after the new vial is opened, the effectiveness is going down. However, we are on 0.75 to 1 units dosage, and only manage to use a quarter or third of the vial's size. Then the rest goes to waste.

I was wondering, what if I bought sterile vials of smaller size? E.g. 3ml vials (the original is 10ml). Then i will take a third for example, and separate it into a smaller vial and use that, and the big one will not be continuously needled and not experience any time outside the fridge, no rolling, therefore less bacteria and decomposition of proteins.

Do you think this could prolong the shelf life? Does anyone do that?

Thanks for your advice!

Hi there,
I am using ProZinc as well and noticed on the bottle that it says to replace the bottle 2 months after the first puncture. I am on my 2nd bottle and had more than half left on the first, but was concerned about continuing with the first bottle after 60 days.

 

[Anna_S]

Hi there,
I am using ProZinc as well and noticed on the bottle that it says to replace the bottle 2 months after the first puncture. I am on my 2nd bottle and had more than half left on the first, but was concerned about continuing with the first bottle after 60 days.

Yes, that is what made me wondering too. I am currently waiting for the bottle to be close to the finish to start with this experiment with separating liquid.