Zobaline (UK)

[Ann & Liz]

We are thinking of trying Zobaline to hopefully help with Lila's neuropathy. Where is best to get it from in UK and are there different sorts - any info gratefully received, thanks.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Hi,

Zobaline needs to be ordered from the US.
See this page and scroll down for Zobaline with a 'Z' (not Xobaline with a 'X')...
http://www.ilifelink.com/products_search.php?category_id=0&search_string=zobaline&search= Go

It is now quite expensive to import from the US though because there is customs duty payable on it now, and the PO also charge to administer the customs duty. (Some folks have not had to pay this. It seems to be the luck of the draw!)

However, there is another version of methyl B12 that you can get in the UK that is OK for kitties, and that is Dr's Best Methycobalamin. Two of these capsules are equal to the methylcobalamin in one Zobaline tablet.
It's available from various places. Here is one:
http://www.bodykind.com/product/4749-best-fully-active-b12-60-x-1500mcg-vegicaps.aspx?Referer=Froogle_Best-Fully-Active-B12-60-x-1500mcg-Vegicaps&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=price comparison&utm_campaign=Best-Fully-Active-B12-60-x-1500mcg-Vegicaps&gclid=CIzouNHjxtECFYaVGwod4xgLBQ#ctl00_cpBody_contents

Zobaline also contains a wee smidge of folic acid. If you want to replicate the Zobaline formula you can do so by supplementing folic acid along with the Dr's Best methylcobalamin.
I think one drop of this (from the same supplier as above) is the right dose:
http://www.bodykind.com/product/811...iquid-folic-acid-15ml.aspx#ctl00_cpBody_usage

Methylcobalamin seems to have no discernable flavour and so can usually be added to food without the kitty noticing.

Hoping this helps,

Eliz

 

[Bronx's dad (GA)]

However, there is another version of methyl B12 that you can get in the UK that is OK for kitties, and that is Dr's Best Methycobalamin. Two of these capsules are equal to the methylcobalamin in one Zobaline tablet.

Edit: the following is incorrect: Two of those (3000mcg) seems like an awful lot, Zobaline is 3mg (3000mcg) but is not 3000mcg of Methycobalamin, it is combined with Folic Acid which adds up to the 3000mcg. Some folks use Vitacost Methycobalamin 500mcg and split the capsule in two (250mcg of Methycobalamin once or twice a day).

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Two of those (3000mcg) seems like an awful lot, Zobaline is 3mg (3000mcg) but is not 3000mcg of Methycobalamin, it is combined with Folic Acid which adds up to the 3000mcg. Some folks use Vitacost Methycobalamin 500mcg and split the capsule in two (250mcg of Methycobalamin once or twice a day).

Hi Bronx's Dad,

According to the label Zobaline contains 3mg methylcobalamin, and 200mcg folic acid.
The Doctor's Best are half that dosage, so two of those = 3mg.
And I think one drop of the liquid folic acid (details above) = 200mcg.
That combination is what some European folks have been using here for a while. (Edited to add: Although some choose to omit the folic acid.)

I'm not sure if Vitacost is available here. But I expect there are others available apart from the Dr's Best. That's just one that happens to have been easily obtainable here in the past.
.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

@Ann & Liz, I've just seen in your signature that your kitty also has CKD. That changes things somewhat, as it may be harder for your kitty to excrete the Vit B (as kitties with healthy kidneys would do).

There's some info on supplementing CKD kitties with Vit B on this page from the Tanya CKD site. (Scroll down the page for dosage suggestions.)
http://www.felinecrf.org/vitamin_b.htm

Some people see beneficial changes in their kitties quite quickly (following methylcobalamin supplementation). But some don't see significant improvements until the blood glucose levels get under better control.
.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

@Ann & Liz , I've just taken a look at Lila's SS.
Have you considered switching her to another insulin? Is this something you've discussed with your vet?

It might well be that another insulin would work better for her; and that in turn might help her kidneys (less glucose to excrete).
Prozinc is another veterinary insulin that your vet can prescribe. It typically has a longer duration than Caninsulin, and is 'gentler' in that it tends not to drop the blood glucose so steeply (possibly resulting in more even numbers and less 'bouncing').

If you have a supportive and knowledgable vet it may also be that they'd prescribe a 'human' insulin such as Lantus, Levemir, or Hypurin PZI. In the UK it is a requirement for a vet to prescribe a veterinary insulin before they can prescribe a 'human' one. But some vets will prescribe 'human' insulin sooner rather than later. The advantage of the human insulins is that they tend to have a gentler action and a longer duration.

Maybe it would be worth showing Lila's SS to your vet and discussing the possibility of an insulin change..?
Just a thought...
.

 

[Bronx's dad (GA)]

Hi Bronx's Dad,

According to the label Zobaline contains 3mg methylcobalamin, and 200mcg folic acid.
The Doctor's Best are half that dosage, so two of those = 3mg.
And I think one drop of the liquid folic acid (details above) = 200mcg.
That combination is what some European folks have been using here for a while. (Edited to add: Although some choose to omit the folic acid.)

I'm not sure if Vitacost is available here. But I expect there are others available apart from the Dr's Best. That's just one that happens to have been easily obtainable here in the past.
.

You are right Elizabeth, I stand corrected! And the Dr's Best does not have any fillers like Magnesium Stearate which Vitacost & Zobaline have. Seems the Drs best is a better choice. What is the advantage of Folic Acid in the Zobaline formula?

 

[Ann & Liz]

@Ann & Liz , I've just taken a look at Lila's SS.
Have you considered switching her to another insulin? Is this something you've discussed with your vet?

It might well be that another insulin would work better for her; and that in turn might help her kidneys (less glucose to excrete).
Prozinc is another veterinary insulin that your vet can prescribe. It typically has a longer duration than Caninsulin, and is 'gentler' in that it tends not to drop the blood glucose so steeply (possibly resulting in more even numbers and less 'bouncing').

If you have a supportive and knowledgable vet it may also be that they'd prescribe a 'human' insulin such as Lantus, Levemir, or Hypurin PZI. In the UK it is a requirement for a vet to prescribe a veterinary insulin before they can prescribe a 'human' one. But some vets will prescribe 'human' insulin sooner rather than later. The advantage of the human insulins is that they tend to have a gentler action and a longer duration.

Maybe it would be worth showing Lila's SS to your vet and discussing the possibility of an insulin change..?
Just a thought...
.

 

[Ann & Liz]

@Ann & Liz , I've just taken a look at Lila's SS.
Have you considered switching her to another insulin? Is this something you've discussed with your vet?
It might well be that another insulin would work better for her; and that in turn might help her kidneys (less glucose to excrete).
Prozinc is another veterinary insulin that your vet can prescribe. It typically has a longer duration than Caninsulin, and is 'gentler' in that it tends not to drop the blood glucose so steeply (possibly resulting in more even numbers and less 'bouncing').

If you have a supportive and knowledgable vet it may also be that they'd prescribe a 'human' insulin such as Lantus, Levemir, or Hypurin PZI. In the UK it is a requirement for a vet to prescribe a veterinary insulin before they can prescribe a 'human' one. But some vets will prescribe 'human' insulin sooner rather than later. The advantage of the human insulins is that they tend to have a gentler action and a longer duration.

Maybe it would be worth showing Lila's SS to your vet and discussing the possibility of an insulin change..?
Just a thought...
.

many thanks for info will check out link re CKD. We are starting to think that the kidneys may be more of an issue than we first realised. We have recently (early Dec)changed vets and this one is very supportive. When Lila was on 1.4 recently we seemed to be getting some quite low numbers so vet advised a drop. We are now trying to regain our position in better numbers again. We will discuss a change in insulin again, her thoughts were initially to keep with Caninsulin for a little longer. Just another question - Lila does seem to have episodes of yowling for no obvious reason and this evening was even started yowling while asleep. Do you have any experience of this symptom, we wonder if it could be kidney related.? Vet says she is at the start of stage 3 kidney disease.