Author Topic: How to divide up and give small doses of Istin?  (Read 5444 times)

Offline swampmaxmum

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Re: How to divide up and give small doses of Istin?
« Reply #7 on: January 30, 2009, 20:44:18 PM »
thanks for the suggestions. I'm not sure what's happening as he had such a bad reaction last night. I just refuse to give Istin again for the moment as it brought back all the old demons. But crushing a 1/4 pill and then dividing into 3 or 4 vaguely equal portions (and storing them) is very tricky as the 1/4 is small anyhow. The vet would not believe that such a small dose could cause problems, but Swampy's on lots of pills so anything's possible I think. He wanted me to give it again to make sure it's the Istin, but I said no.
He also told me the co who make Fortekor sell a home bp tester but it costs £700  :Crazy:  I somehow don't think the insurance would cover that one. It's so difficult though when you need to constantly monitor bp but he can't do vet clinic visits any more.  Definite gap in the market as digital people bp measuring cuff machines are so easy and relatively cheap.

Offline Mark

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Re: How to divide up and give small doses of Istin?
« Reply #6 on: January 30, 2009, 19:24:28 PM »
What about a craft knife such as a swann morton scalpel?

I know you wouldn't be able to get scales that are accurate enough - they are available but we were told at uni that they are around £1000  :Crazy:

Just had another idea. What if you were to knead one crushed pill into something that is malleable enough (such as a pocket tab) then you could divide that up into 12?

Another idea is to email the manufacturer and ask if there is a low dose version available or what they suggest
« Last Edit: January 30, 2009, 19:31:00 PM by Mark »
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Offline Millys Mum

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Re: How to divide up and give small doses of Istin?
« Reply #5 on: January 30, 2009, 17:40:17 PM »
Something thinner than a credit card would be easier


Offline tab

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Re: How to divide up and give small doses of Istin?
« Reply #4 on: January 30, 2009, 16:08:21 PM »
Mogs is on istin but its 1/4 tablet daily so I just use a tablet cutter. Its never very equal but when i checked with the vet they said it would be ok as over 4 days shes getting a full tablet. Ive never known her being agitated on it but I do notice in winter when I turn the heating on as I get up she doesnt seem to want to hang around for me to drink my coffee before going behind the settee and back to bed. In summer she waits and then jumps on the chair arm so I can give her the tablet.
Mogs is on 5mg tablets divided into 4. i cant imagine trying to separate them into 12 though
I hope that helps
love
Tab

Offline Sam (Fussy_Furball)

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Re: How to divide up and give small doses of Istin?
« Reply #3 on: January 30, 2009, 14:20:00 PM »
Sorry hun ... I've no experience of this drug.  Just wanted to send a  :hug: to you and swampy xxx
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Offline swampmaxmum

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Re: How to divide up and give small doses of Istin?
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2009, 21:38:17 PM »
If anyone has their cat on Istin (amlodipine I think), has it ever caused a bit of agitation or feeling a bit odd when first given?

Offline swampmaxmum

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How to divide up and give small doses of Istin?
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2009, 19:07:29 PM »
I have to give Swampy 1/12th of a tablet every day, that's 1/4 pill crushed and divided into 3 supposedly equal parts and added to his food. The vet said use tin foil and a credit card (you'll see I'm not in the habit of credit cards and white powders here!). It's really difficult or am I being thick? Is there any foolproof way to do it? I may even have to crush and divide into 4 days' dose if his bp drops too much.

Think quite a few of you on here have oldies with high bp so am hoping someone can give me a few tips. Thanks very much. Oh is there a time of day when it's supposed to be given? I started at 6.20 ish in his early supper. I have foiled wrapped the 2 unused doses of powder and am hoping the powder doesn't disappear. It's fiddly work!

 


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