Advice Sought / Question about DIABETES / KITTY DIABETES /OTC INSULIN:

[Dangerously Amused]

Hi Everybody,

I just had my sweet kitty Henri diagnosed with diabetes... again. He had diabetes when I got him several years ago from the Humane Society. Of course, when I got him no one told me he had diabetes and he went into a crash to the point where I almost lost him a few weeks after I brought him home. Anyway, after a week-long hospital stay we pulled him through the crash and then started the insulin injections and special diet regime. Remarkably, he responded so well that he was eventually taken off the insulin and special diet and has not had either for years.

After that episode the vet did tell me that Henri would be susceptible to getting diabetes again since he had it already, so of course I have been keeping an especially close watch on his health in that respect. Recently I began noticing some troubling signs, and took him in to the vet a few days ago. Unfortunately the diabetes has returned, so I am gearing up to start the whole injection/diet routine again.

The vet told me that there is a new, cheaper (like $20/vial; about half the cost) OTC insulin called "ReliOn" now available, but it is only distributed by Walmart. I have tried to research this product online, but there is not a lot of information out there yet because it is so new. Well, except that some of the company's syringes got recalled because they were improperly marked and were giving people too high of a dose. Not comforting, especially when getting the exact dose for a small kitty body is so important.

So do any of you have any experience with this brand/product? I am trying to find out everything I can about it because honestly the idea of using non-Rx insulin bought from a department store (much less Walmart) is kind of freaking me out. On the other hand, I don't want to spend twice the money on an established brand if there really is no difference in quality (with several older kitties I am committed to keeping as much money as I possibly can in their health care fund).

I guess my biggest fear at this point is the quality of the medicine itself: I know that Walmart cuts corners on quality in everything they produce to make the greatest possible profit, and while that might be okay for things like paper towels or whatever... I don't know that I feel okay with it when the product is a life-saving medication.

Anyway, thoughts and comments appreciated. Thanks for helping me to think this through.

:hi:

Henri:

[Kali]

1. if it has been approved it is PROBABLY ok to use on your cat

(bush/repuke era and wallyworld bs is a bit of a problem but overall probably safe enough) if you have concerns about dosage get a more reliable syringe - they can be ordered on line from any vet supply company. I would say if your vet says its ok it should be alright.

Another thought is if you are near the border anywhere lots of people get meds in Mexico (and Canada, I presume) and I know of at least one person who gets insulin for a dog there.

[Dangerously Amused]

4. Thanks.

You are right, it undoubtedly has to meet FDA guidelines in order to be sold and is probably safe. I'm still just a little unnerved at the idea of it being a brand new, Walmart-manufactured medication, especially given some of the concerns I have about big pharma and the FDA in general.

Eh... I'll keep researching it, but if that doesn't get me any answers I'll probably pay the extra money for the meds from an established source if doing so means I won't lose sleep over it.

Thanks again!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

2. Wal-Mart is the Sole Distributor. (?)

That is all I can find on it so far...

[Dangerously Amused]

5. Hey you!

:hug:

Yep, that's about all I can find so far, too.

Thanks!

:hi:

[flvegan]

3. I've never heard of it, but I'll call around. Also, DUer kestrel91316

is a kitty vet. She and I don't get along, but she's an expert and likely a good resource on the topic so it might be worth PMing her.

That said, I'll ask the cat rescues I know and the 4 vets that I work with what they know about it and PM you with what they tell me.

[Dangerously Amused]

6. Oh wow, thanks so much for your help!!!

Means the world to me, you know. And I'd love to find out what your people have to say about it. I'll check in w kestral, too.

:hug:

[Dangerously Amused]

7. Kick for my boy.

[cwydro]

8. what were his symptoms?

I've got a 15 year old who seems kind of not herself. Just wondering what the symptoms are?

[myrna minx]

9. I had a diabetes scare with my kitty, but I was able to correct it with diet.

The signs are incredible, insatiable thirst and constant urination. These can also be signs of kidney disease as well, so it's best for a vet to diagnose.

[cwydro]

10. No changes in diet at all?

Mine does seem to be drinking a lot.

[myrna minx]

12. My kitty's appetite did increase too.

I changed his diet from dry prescription food to mostly meat (Wellness) wet food. Eliminating the carbs from his diet completely changed him for the better. All of his symptoms went away. I took him into the vet and had a full panel and urinary test and he was fine. He was "pre diabetic" and I will be able to keep him in check with his diet. Kidney disease is common with older kitties too, but with proper diet and saline injections to help keep them hydrated, they can live long healthy lives. :hi: Increased water intake is something you may want to get checked out. Is he losing weight? Does he seem nauseous?

[cwydro]

14. She suddenly is demanding canned food and

is pretty much ignoring the dry. She wants to eat more than usual.

Her fur seems not as soft and she seems to be losing a little weight. I'm planning a vet trip, but just wanted some info in advance.

[myrna minx]

15. It's a good thing that you're going to bring her in.

Those symptoms could be many things, but if it is kidney or diabetes, at least there's things you can to to head it off at the pass. Kidney disease is irreversible, but there's things that can be done to "slow it down" when it's caught early. Sending good vibes to you and your furbaby. ;Hi:

[cwydro]

16. Thanks, I've had her a long long time.

She is definitely NOT a pill-taker though.

[DeepBlueC]

17. hyperthyroidism is a possibility

that must be treated or it will affect the heart. I had a hyperthyroid cat. It was pretty easy to manage with a little medication administered in gel form in the ear flap once or twice a day. Or you can go the big route and get the radiation treatment that takes care of it permanently. My vet said meds were the better way to go & they did work. You need to get thyroid levels checked every 6 mos to see if you have the dosage right. Sounds familiar to me but it can co=exist with kidney disease but the increased appetite is more likely to be hyperthyroidism. I recognize changes to the coat too.
Good luck & let us know. :)

[Heidi]

11. Sweet Henri, I have no wisdom.

But I do have a candle burning for you and your human companion. Be well, sweet boy. :hug:

:loveya:

[myrna minx]

13. What a beautiful fur baby!

Puuurrrr.

[catrose]

18. Sorry, no help here

We're using Vetsulin for our kitty (and Levimir, with Novolog for big spikes--don't try this unless you're monitoring his blood sugar yourself).

Anyway, my kitty has been diabetic for 6.5 years. Unfortunately, he was too far along for diet to help him. My point is that you can still enjoy Henri for many more years.

[Dangerously Amused]

19. THANKS EVERYBODY for the suggestions and good wishes!

I decided to go with the more expensive, but well-established Rx medication. For now, anyway. I'll end up spending an extra twenty bucks over the course of six weeks, but it it will spare me significant daytime anxiety and gawd-knows-how-many sleepless nights... and it's for my sweetheart boy, so I figure it's worth it.

Thanks again!!!

:hug:

[LNM]

20. That's what I was going to suggest.

The insulin seems expensive when you buy it but if you think about the daily cost it's not too bad. We have a diabetic kitty as well plus one that isn't. I'm thinking about asking the vet if we could cut giving her the special diet food (which both cats have to eat) and boost her insulin. The catfood is more than the insulin.