Cutting the cost of diabetic supplies???

[madamecurie]

Hello everyone. (I'm reposting this because I think I put the original on the wrong board!)

I am going through a tough time right now and am trying to save some money on my cat's diabetic supplies. Everything is so expensive and I buy it from my vet's - I have to admit they have been really kind and haven't charged for reading and interpreting blood curves and giving free advice. But still...the caninsulin vial 10 ml is $44, U-40 28 gauge caninsulin syringes (100) are $44 - even the strips are so expensive. Although I bought a box of strips for $10 - recently expired on Kijiji - that's why they were so cheap. (I'm a bit concerned about the strips though - how can one tell if they are giving accurate readings?)

Does anyone have any suggestions how to reduce this cost? I found a website - I'm in Canada - for Terumo human syringes - same gauge etc. at M Gen Canada website for $22. Would these be OK to use? I wouldn't be hurting my cat?

I've even been using kitten food from Purina - the dried stuff - to reduce costs but still use the canned diabetic food from the vet - Purina DM - $2 a can for that. Some cheaper/alternative suggestions for moist food would be appreciated.

Also, I noticed there are various charities that may be able to help - are there any in Canada? I don't know how long I can keep up with all the costs - I can't even pay my own bills right now.

Thank you - it's wonderful to have a site like this for advice! Rhonda & Smokey.

 

[Critter Mom]

Check out ebay for syringes. You can get good deals on them in the UK. Strictly you should use U40 syringes to match Caninsulin, but it is possible to use U100 syringes with a conversion chart. U100 syringes tend to be cheaper in the UK. The best type are the U100 0.3ml demi syringes. They have half unit markings which can help with accurate dosing for small amounts of insulin. If you search on this board you should find a link to information about a conversion chart (or maybe another member could post a link? I can't remember where to find it... )

You might also be able to get some better prices on stuff like lancets and urinalysis strips on ebay, too. I know that many people on the board on your side of the pond feed Fancy Feast and Friskies patés that have the right carb values.

Here's a link to Dr LIsa Pierson's food chart. It has info on the carb content of many commercial foods. Maybe there will be brands on the list that are available where you are:

http://www.catinfo.org/docs/FoodChartPublic9-22-12.pdf

 

[phlika29]

Hi

Yes the cost does add up.

I think most members don't bother with the vet food but go for foods such as Friskies, as long as it has less than 8% calories from carbohydrates. There is a list of all the foods in one of the stickies.

With regards caninsulin syringes I have a small pack that I don't use anymore (I live in the uk so as long as I can send them okay) that you can have for free just drop me a PM with your address. I don't know what gauge they are though it just lists them as 0.5 ml caninsulin syringe u-40.

I think that once you have settled into a routine it is easier to spread the cost buy buying so,etching each month rather thsn all in one go.

Best wishes

Sarah

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Hello Rhonda and Smokey, and welcome from a fellow Canadian. We too started out on Caninsulin. It's a cheaper insulin, but not as good for the cat. If you are interested in remission, see if your vet is willing to let you use Lantus or Levemir. You don't actually have to ask the vet's permission, as it's available over the counter at people pharmacies. But it is helpful if they'll work with you. If Smokey goes into remission, your diabetic supply costs go to zero. I have used both Lantus and Levemir, and buy the cartridge pack which lasts over 6 months depending on dose.

U-100 insulin syringes are slightly cheaper (around $38 at Safeway or Canadian Superstore) for the BD syringes and smaller size needle which I preferred. The conversion chart for using U-100 syringe with a U-40 insulin is here.

Definitely do not buy the food from the vet. That helps their kids go to college but doesn't help you, plus a lot of cats don't like it. Any low carb wet food will do. If you haven't read http://www.catinfo.org yet, it's a good read. There is a food chart there that lists a lot of the ones available in Canada. Looks for something under 10% carbs. The Friskies pates are pretty cheap. Feeding dry food will elevate the blood glucose and mean more insulin. If you switch to an all wet food diet, you'll want to monitor carefully and likely lower the dose.

For Lancets, I've found Safeway cheaper than a lot of other stores. Go figure! Even cheaper than the US. Which blood glucose meter are you using? I live close to the border, so I do some cross border shopping for cheaper strips. There are also a couple of places in the US that you can use to buy things down there and have them reshipped to Canada. It's a bit more expensive than what I do, but still cheaper than buying strips in Canada. One of our members in northern Alberta was getting some of the Walmart Relion Prime strips sent to her - $9 US a box plus shipping.

 

[zzyzzx]

I don't know about prices for syringes in Walmart in Canada, but in the US a box of 100 U-100 syringes are cheap, like $12.50, at WalMart here.