I don't think I can afford the Prozinc and I'm freakin' out!

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Chester and Rita

Chester and Rita

Member Since 2018
I'm gone 12 hours a day for my job. It's the only one that pays me well. Although it's 45 minutes one way, I feel it's a secure job and losing my job right now would be the end of, well, everything for Chester and Matty (she's on Methimozol and has kidney problems now). Does anyone know of a long lasting insulin that might be less expensive? I feel like I'm going under.
 
Chester444 said:
I'm gone 12 hours a day for my job. It's the only one that pays me well. Although it's 45 minutes one way, I feel it's a secure job and losing my job right now would be the end of, well, everything for Chester and Matty (she's on Methimozol and has kidney problems now). Does anyone know of a long lasting insulin that might be less expensive? I feel like I'm going under.
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Vetsulin is about $53 but it isn't as long acting as ProZinc. (ProZinc typically lasts 10-12 hours and vetsulin about 8-10 hours).
The benefit of insulin like ProZinc or vetsulin in your situation is that it's a little more flexible with dosing time because they are in and out insulins. This gives you a time buffer of up to an hour. So if you do 5 am and 5:45 pm that's fine (just make sure you test before shots ). The longer acting deposit insulins like lantus and levemir require a tighter daily schedule with time adjustments of ideally no more than 15 min. All insulins require they be given twice a day.


So if I were you I would stick with the ProZinc. Call around to different vets and see if someone can give you a better price. If you really can't afford it, as I said vetsulin is cheaper. Vetsulin is what I use. Lantus in the US runs about $300 but can be purchased cheaper through Canada.
 
Rita, check the Supply Closet forum on this board, there is also a Canadian pharmacy that some members get insulin from, much less expensive. I don't know if Prozinc is one of them though. In the Health Links/FAQs forum there is a section that has info on that.
 
Also keep in mind that while the ProZinc might cost $130, it will last 3-4 months.... So it's not a monthly expense. The syringes are about $14 for 100 of them on Adwdiabetes.com (get 0.33 ones with half unit markings). You can get lancets on there for about $1.19 for 100 of them. To save money on bg testing and so you don't need frequent trips to the vet, many opt for using human meters such as Walmart brand Relion micro or confirm.
 
Chester444 said:
I'm gone 12 hours a day for my job. It's the only one that pays me well. Although it's 45 minutes one way, I feel it's a secure job and losing my job right now would be the end of, well, everything for Chester and Matty (she's on Methimozol and has kidney problems now). Does anyone know of a long lasting insulin that might be less expensive? I feel like I'm going under.
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I'm hoping to hop on this thread. My cat was just diagnosed and the Lantus is $300 per month. Any suggestions for low cost insulin for cats?
 
Diane Powell said:
I'm hoping to hop on this thread. My cat was just diagnosed and the Lantus is $300 per month. Any suggestions for low cost insulin for cats?
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lantus 10ml vials does not go bad after 28 days like they tell you, it can last around 6mths after first use if you keep it refrigerated (not freezing cold) and don't leave it out too long when you use it. even after that 5-6mths it is still good but, may be a little weaker. my vial last 5 mths before it started to weaken some, after that i bought 5 lantus pens (15ml total) for 185.00 from alen on the supply closet here, he sells individual pens too. unopen pens stay good till expiration date which is a year or more.
 
Thank you everyone for your concern! I totally appreciate it! I was sooo wrong about the dosage! Whew! I'm not freaking out anymore. I called my vet this morning and they explained that the 40 mL has 400 units in it and it's not going to cost as much as I thought. I can totally do this! Thanks again, everybody, I will stay posted.
 
That's good to hear

With proper storage Prozinc should last you until the last drop, which could be months depending on your cat's daily dosage. It's important to keep it refrigerated (make sure it doesn't freeze) and most importantly out of sunlight. Also double check that you have U40 syringes for Prozinc and not U100 syringes.
 
I would order/use either Lantus or Levemir from Mark's Marine in Canada. It is long lasting and less expensive than ProZinc on per unit basis. That is not the case if purchased in USA. Only downside is that it like dosing in 12 hour (+/- 1/2 hour) increments but I haves used it for the 10/24 hour schedule it sounds like you would have.
 
Chester444 said:
Thank you everyone for your concern! I totally appreciate it! I was sooo wrong about the dosage! Whew! I'm not freaking out anymore. I called my vet this morning and they explained that the 40 mL has 400 units in it and it's not going to cost as much as I thought. I can totally do this! Thanks again, everybody, I will stay posted.
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Oh good. I am glad it will work out for you. If you need help or have questions about anything feel free to reach out for help.
 
For Lantus or Levemi buy the pens instead of the vials. One pack of pens can last 9 months or more depending on your dose. You also do not have the issue with it losing potency before you can use it all. Canada has better prices than US.
 
We use the Prozinc because we can't always be home in time for Callie's evening shot. The fact that there is a one hour Grace time has really been a life savior. It takes several months to use up all the insulin and is good to the last drop. We order ours online as our vet doesn't carry it.
 
Lantus is fine for people who can follow the strict timetable that you have to follow It would not work for this poster who states that he is gone for 12 hours at work. For people like that, Prozinc, with that extra hour of time is much safer.
 
Butterball said:
That's good to hear

With proper storage Prozinc should last you until the last drop, which could be months depending on your cat's daily dosage. It's important to keep it refrigerated (make sure it doesn't freeze) and most importantly out of sunlight. Also double check that you have U40 syringes for Prozinc and not U100 syringes.
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Everything is okay with Chester. I gave him his very first shot this afternoon and he's just sleeping after nibbling a little wet food. I give him Wellness wet. It's the lowest carb commercial there is at Petco. He didn't really even know I was giving him the shot! Too cool! I just don't know how much to leave out when I go to work for 11.5 hours?
 
I'm looking into "Young Again" cat food. Anyone out there try this before? It supposedly has very low carbs, starch, and low levels of phosphates and sodium. My other cat has high kidney levels. There is sooo much research to be done on both these kid's diets! Ahhhh!!!!
 
Chester444 said:
I'm looking into "Young Again" cat food. Anyone out there try this before? It supposedly has very low carbs, starch, and low levels of phosphates and sodium. My other cat has high kidney levels. There is sooo much research to be done on both these kid's diets! Ahhhh!!!!
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Also try Dr Elseys clean protein.
 
Chester and Rita said:
Everything is okay with Chester. I gave him his very first shot this afternoon and he's just sleeping after nibbling a little wet food. I give him Wellness wet. It's the lowest carb commercial there is at Petco. He didn't really even know I was giving him the shot! Too cool! I just don't know how much to leave out when I go to work for 11.5 hours?
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Giving the shot is probably the easiest thing to do in caring for a diabetic cat. The needles are so small and sharp that they usually don't even feel it. It's a good idea to give him some treats after every shot though to turn it into a positive activity he enjoys. Wellness is great food for diabetic cats. I wish mine would come around to pate because I'd love to use Wellness for his diet
 
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