Wondering if a cat can be switched from Prozinc to Vetsulin

[Teena]

Hello,

I just found this group. I have a diabetic cat named Cydnee and she has been diabetic for 2 years. I have a question. Can a cat be switched from Prozinc to Vetsulin? What would be the cons of doing so? Thank you

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
I would not swap from Prozinc to Vetsulin. Prozinc is a longer lasting and gentler insulin than Vetsulin which is harsher and has a shorter duration.
If you are not happy with Prozinc then a better option would be to look at swapping to Lantus or Levemir which are both very good insulins for cats. They are both long acting insulins and gentler insulins thsn Vetsulin.
Bron

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Can a cat be switched from Prozinc to Vetsulin? What would be the cons of doing so? Thank you

As Bron says above, Prozinc is generally a gentler and longer-lasting insulin than Vetsulin.
The Royal Veterinary college in London has found that cats switched from Vetsulin/Caninsulin to Prozinc typically had better overall glycemic control, better clinical signs, and an increased chance of remission. For this reason cats who aren't doing well on Vetsulin may find benefit in switching from Vetsulin to Prozinc, but not the other way round...

There are some cats who do just fine on Vetsulin, but chances of success are increased with a longer-lasting insulin.

Vetsulin is cheaper than Prozinc, so that is the only obvious advantage I can see of switching from Prozinc to Vetsulin. However, Prozinc 'may' have a slightly longer shelf life after opening than Vetsulin, so a vial 'may' last longer.

Are you testing your kitty's blood glucose at home? Are you finding that the Prozinc isn't working well for Cydnee?
We have a great Prozinc forum here at FDMB with experienced and really helpful people who can help you get the best from this insulin.
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/prozinc-pzi.24/

Eliz

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Teena, I saw you posted more info in the Welcome forum so am reposting what you wrote here:

Thank you so much for responding Idjit's mom. Cydnee, as you can see in the picture, is a short haired domestic black cat. She's a rescue from the streets so I do not know exactly how old she is, but the vet thought around 12. I was told to switch her to soft food and that Fancy Feast pate is okay to use. I can not afford anything expensive as I have a few other kitties and am a disabled person on limited income. I can barely afford her insulin and needles. She was diagnosed a little over 2 years ago. She is overweight and has been since I found her. She lost weight when she first developed diabetes, that's how I discovered it. I do not test and did not even know I could until last week! The vet always told me I would have to bring her in to be tested. I am also diabetic so I found it odd that I couldn't test her like I test myself. I'm glad I now found this forum and will look for a meter to use for her. Cydnee receives 2.5 units of Prozinc twice daily. She has gained back the weight she lost when she was first diagnosed and the vet has said her diabetes is controlled by this dosage, however, she needs to have her blood tested again. I was asking about the Vetsulin because it is far cheaper than Prozinc. It is a real struggle to pay for her insulin and mine. I have forgone taking mine in order to buy hers before. In reading the forum there was a post that they are not even the same type of insulin so I thought I would ask. I don't always trust vets because the last one I took her to for her skin itching charged me $265 for a diagnosis and did not diagnose anything! She only told me to watch what she eats and where she sleeps in case she is allergic to something. WTH? Worthless vet. Still calls me to bring Cydnee back in for further testing, but never gave me a copy of the results from the other ones. Anyway, I thought I would ask here and see if anyone has had any experience in this. I love my chubby baby and will not switch unless it is safe for her and will consult the vet also.

Teena, many folks here feed their kitties Fancy Feast.

And you can probably use your own glucose meter to test her with. Many of us here use human glucose meters for our kitties and most meters are fine. The only meter that some have had problems with (on kitties) is the Freestyle Lite, as this sometimes reads high numbers as being lower than they actually are.

There are ways to save money. Blood glucose testing can be done at home more cheaply than at the vet. And many supplies can be bought online more cheaply than from the vet (syringes, insulin, etc).
And how long are you using your Prozinc for? It can last quite a long time if stored well.

Eliz

 

[Teena]

Teena, I saw you posted more info in the Welcome forum so am reposting what you wrote here:



Teena, many folks here feed their kitties Fancy Feast.

And you can probably use your own glucose meter to test her with. Many of us here use human glucose meters for our kitties and most meters are fine. The only meter that some have had problems with (on kitties) is the Freestyle Lite, as this sometimes reads high numbers as being lower than they actually are.

There are ways to save money. Blood glucose testing can be done at home more cheaply than at the vet. And many supplies can be bought online more cheaply than from the vet (syringes, insulin, etc).
And how long are you using your Prozinc for? It can last quite a long time if stored well.

Eliz

Thank you! I test myself with Frestyle Lite so I guess I'll have to buy a different one to test her blood. It's the one that works best for me.

 

[Teena]

As Bron says above, Prozinc is generally a gentler and longer-lasting insulin than Vetsulin.
The Royal Veterinary college in London has found that cats switched from Vetsulin/Caninsulin to Prozinc typically had better overall glycemic control, better clinical signs, and an increased chance of remission. For this reason cats who aren't doing well on Vetsulin may find benefit in switching from Vetsulin to Prozinc, but not the other way round...

There are some cats who do just fine on Vetsulin, but chances of success are increased with a longer-lasting insulin.

Vetsulin is cheaper than Prozinc, so that is the only obvious advantage I can see of switching from Prozinc to Vetsulin. However, Prozinc 'may' have a slightly longer shelf life after opening than Vetsulin, so a vial 'may' last longer.

Are you testing your kitty's blood glucose at home? Are you finding that the Prozinc isn't working well for Cydnee?
We have a great Prozinc forum here at FDMB with experienced and really helpful people who can help you get the best from this insulin.
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/prozinc-pzi.24/

Eliz

Thank you! I will keep her on Prozinc.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Thank you! I test myself with Frestyle Lite so I guess I'll have to buy a different one to test her blood. It's the one that works best for me.

Hi Teena, there's nothing to stop you using the Freestyle Lite for your kitty. Just be aware that if the meter doesn't seem to register any high numbers there 'might' be a problem. The meter should be absolutely fine with reading the lower ranges of numbers. And that's where you really want accuracy.

Eliz

 

[Kris & Teasel]

I use a Freestyle Lite meter for Teasel and it works really well - tiny blood drop, no error readings. It tends to read a little on the low side so I keep that in mind when evaluating BGs.