Hi, this is Lynn and my boy Washutu, who was just diagnosed last night. Wow, overwhelmed and stressed. After reading through your site and lots of posts, we returned the Royal Canin food the vet prescribed and bought some cases of Fancy Feast Classics. The vet also prescribed Lantus, saying it would give the best chance of reversing the diabetes, if there is any chance. Here's my problem: I can't afford $221 for 10ml, which they estimated would last 5 days. Any suggestions? Is there a generic or a less expensive place to get it than Wal-Mart, which the vet said was the cheapest? Thanks for any help or suggestions, and for all the help you've already given us.
Noobs
- Thread starter lynnieray
- Start date
- Status
Sandy and Black Kitty
Member Since 2009
Hello and Welcome! 
Lantus is a great insulin - I used it for my kitty with great success.
) so I'm not sure what the costs are these days. I'm sure a current user will be along to advise current prices.
I can say that a 10ml vial should last much longer than 5 days! - it did for me and my kitty was a 'big gulper'.
You have come to the right place. Hang in there!
Lantus is a great insulin - I used it for my kitty with great success.
Well, it's been 4 years since I've had to buy Lantus (my kitty is in remissionlynnieray said:
) so I'm not sure what the costs are these days. I'm sure a current user will be along to advise current prices. I can say that a 10ml vial should last much longer than 5 days! - it did for me and my kitty was a 'big gulper'.
You have come to the right place. Hang in there!
Dusty Bones
Member Since 2013
Welcome! We all feel stressed out in the beginning but once you get the hang of things it'll be second nature. You're already on right track by switching to low carb wet food and returning the vet food. 10ml should last a couple of months or more depending on dosage but that price is about right.
Chris & China (GA)
Member Since 2013
Hi Lynn and extra sweet Washutu and welcome to the FDMB!!
Take a deep breath! Lantus is expensive, but if you shop around, you may be able to find it cheaper, but it's going to be around $200 for a 10ml vial, but 10ml is 1000 units, and most cats dosage is in the vicinity of 1 unit twice a day, so that would last you 500 days!
Actually, while it probably won't last that long, we routinely use it for 5-6 months. If it's cared for carefully and kept in the refrigerator (Not the door, on a shelf IN the refrigerator) it can last every bit of that long.
Your other option is to ask your vet to write you a prescription for the Lantus Solostar Pen. The pens can be used just like a vial (you use regular insulin syringes with it, NOT the pen needles so if you get the pen, don't be bullied into buying the needles for it) They only hold 3ml each, so have 300 units and will still last up to 6 months, so you'd probably be able to use every single drop.
The problem with the pens is that they come in boxes of 5 pens (so 3ml x 5 for a total of 15ml or 1500 units) and not everyone will split a box up and sell you only 1 pen. It's worth calling around though! Some Target stores, Costco pharmacies and hospital pharmacies are the ones I hear of that are most likely to be willing to split a box up.
You can also try getting a Lantus Savings Card, which IF it works will allow you to buy your first 3 pens for $25 each, or will take $75 off the price of a box of 5. The problem here is that not everyone will take the savings card because some pharmacies require a new registration number that vets can't get, but since the savings card is free, it's worth a try!! You have to sign up as either being over 18 or the caretaker of a child, not a cat though. I've heard several members say that they have gotten them in their cat's first name and their surname though, like "Fluffy Jones", or "Killer Jackson".
The start up costs for treating diabetes are a little steep, but they aren't as bad as you've been told. I'm on SSI as my only income and I've been able to keep China much healthier without breaking the bank too badly.
You're in the right place though to learn everything you need to know about treating diabetes, and we have lots of tips on saving money too! The biggest cost savings I can tell you about is to learn how to test at home! Home testing your cat both keeps him safe as well as saves you the money on trips to the vet for expensive tests you can do at home!
Good luck to you, and keep asking questions. We can help you through this!!
Take a deep breath! Lantus is expensive, but if you shop around, you may be able to find it cheaper, but it's going to be around $200 for a 10ml vial, but 10ml is 1000 units, and most cats dosage is in the vicinity of 1 unit twice a day, so that would last you 500 days!
Actually, while it probably won't last that long, we routinely use it for 5-6 months. If it's cared for carefully and kept in the refrigerator (Not the door, on a shelf IN the refrigerator) it can last every bit of that long.
Your other option is to ask your vet to write you a prescription for the Lantus Solostar Pen. The pens can be used just like a vial (you use regular insulin syringes with it, NOT the pen needles so if you get the pen, don't be bullied into buying the needles for it) They only hold 3ml each, so have 300 units and will still last up to 6 months, so you'd probably be able to use every single drop.
The problem with the pens is that they come in boxes of 5 pens (so 3ml x 5 for a total of 15ml or 1500 units) and not everyone will split a box up and sell you only 1 pen. It's worth calling around though! Some Target stores, Costco pharmacies and hospital pharmacies are the ones I hear of that are most likely to be willing to split a box up.
You can also try getting a Lantus Savings Card, which IF it works will allow you to buy your first 3 pens for $25 each, or will take $75 off the price of a box of 5. The problem here is that not everyone will take the savings card because some pharmacies require a new registration number that vets can't get, but since the savings card is free, it's worth a try!! You have to sign up as either being over 18 or the caretaker of a child, not a cat though. I've heard several members say that they have gotten them in their cat's first name and their surname though, like "Fluffy Jones", or "Killer Jackson".
The start up costs for treating diabetes are a little steep, but they aren't as bad as you've been told. I'm on SSI as my only income and I've been able to keep China much healthier without breaking the bank too badly.
You're in the right place though to learn everything you need to know about treating diabetes, and we have lots of tips on saving money too! The biggest cost savings I can tell you about is to learn how to test at home! Home testing your cat both keeps him safe as well as saves you the money on trips to the vet for expensive tests you can do at home!
Good luck to you, and keep asking questions. We can help you through this!!
BJM
Member Since 2010
I'm not sure where they get 5 days from.
1 vial is 10 mL
1 mL has 100 units
Therefore, 1 vial has 1,000 units
Most cats are dosed in around 1 to 2 units, twice a day.
For 1 units, twice a day, the vial will last 500 days
What is your cat's dose?
You keep it refrigerated on a stationary shelf to make it last as long as possible.
1 vial is 10 mL
1 mL has 100 units
Therefore, 1 vial has 1,000 units
Most cats are dosed in around 1 to 2 units, twice a day.
For 1 units, twice a day, the vial will last 500 days
What is your cat's dose?
You keep it refrigerated on a stationary shelf to make it last as long as possible.
Deb & Wink
Member Since 2013
Hi Lynn and sugarboy Washutu and welcome to the message board.
You've received some great suggestions already.
Have your read this post yet? Newbies - a message from your cat
Breath, remember to breath. This does get easier and we will help you all along the way.
You've received some great suggestions already.
Have your read this post yet? Newbies - a message from your cat
Breath, remember to breath. This does get easier and we will help you all along the way.
KPassa
Member Since 2012
Welcome Lynn and Washutu!
Great job on switching the food already! Have you guys started home-testing yet? Here are some ear-testing tips to help you get started.
DCiN (Diabetic Cats in Need) created this page on how to reduce the cost of Lantus that you might also find helpful.
Great job on switching the food already! Have you guys started home-testing yet? Here are some ear-testing tips to help you get started.
DCiN (Diabetic Cats in Need) created this page on how to reduce the cost of Lantus that you might also find helpful.
- Status