Trying to arrange to get my Sophie tested for IGF-1 & IAA

sbluhrs

sbluhrs

Member
I don't know if my vet is clueless, looking to suck the money out of me or what. First, called today to see about getting the tests done. Sophie is at 7 units of Levemir twice a day, eating only low carb canned food (Tiki cat & Merrick pates). A year and a half since I got her (diagnosed in Nov 2016 prior to my adoption in Feb of 2017). The process to get to this high a dose has been slow, but, every time I think she is getting better, she isn't. I test at least 6 times a time, so I know how her trends are.

Anyway, called my vet to arrange for IGF-1 and IAA tests. Should be simple because they both go to one place, right? Well, they quoted $230 just for the IGF-1 and said I'd have to go to a veterinary endocrine specialist for the IAA. This is bullshit, right? The price also seems excessive.

I am ready to ditch this practice anyway since it was bought out from my old vet.

What do you guys think? What were you charged for the tests? I like in a suburban area of Maine, not in some high priced area of NY or CA, or MA.
 
sbluhrs said:
I don't know if my vet is clueless
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It's possible, many vets don't have experience with high dose conditions, or at least don't know that they have. Neko was the first cat to have those tests done at the vet practise I was using. I had to coach my vet along the process.

To answer your question, the blood for both IGF-1 and IAA testing both go to Michigan State University. There should be one blood draw charge, the fees from MSU for the tests ($58 + $18), blood prep/packaging cost, shipping fees plus whatever profit your vet adds on. My costs were much higher, but I'm on the west coast of Canada so the shipping fees/border crossing paperwork fees would be a lot higher than yours were.
 
If you search MSU Website, you can find the price of the individual tests. I believe together they are less than $100. It also gives the directions for vets on how to submit the blood. I can’t remember his much I paid. I will look it up and let you know.
 
I can't recall. That does seem excessive though. If you have the numbers we just gave you, then you could discuss those with a vet and arrange for them to take the blood then ship it. I'm pretty sure MSU does not take shipments directly from individuals.

Our cat-only vet in north Austin, TX has hundreds of cat patients. Leo was the first Acro patient in 15 years. It is relatively unknown and untested.
 
Sounds like jersey prices. Every time frosty needs his blood test for Cushing’s it’s $475. And it’s 2 blood samples. When they tested him for Cushing’s and IGF-1 it was like $700.
 
I just got my buddy Lou drawn for both IGF-1 and IAA a few weeks ago. The vet originally quoted me $130 +shipping. It came out to be $155 total. I just came in for the draw, so that price included the two tests, the blood draw, and shipping.
 
I had Baby's IGF-1 and IAA sent in today. $125 for the IGF-1, $45 for the IAA. Yes, they are both sent to the same place. Also, on the MSU forms that I printed off this site, the IGF-1 price says $58 and the IAA price says $18 (granted, this does not include the shipping charges that the vet has to pay, nor the blood draw fees).
 
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