Viggo Update

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tessamalk

Member Since 2014
So after a pretty crappy time lately--we had to have the dog put to sleep two weeks ago--we finally got Viggo back in to the vet so they could check the levels in his urine to confirm the diagnosis.

Definitely diabetes.
We have a prescription for glargine, and I'm freaking out over how to afford it. We don't have $100ish just laying around to spend on veterinary prescriptions. I have no idea how we'll get this started... and after just losing our pup I can't even fathom Viggo getting that sick and dying as well.

Where have you all found the cheapest pharmacy for this stuff?

ETA: He's on 1 unit, twice a day to start. They're going to re-check his levels in a month.
 
If the Rx is written for 1 pen at a time, that can help.

Looking on Craigslist may locate some.

http://Www.77canadapharmacy.com is often less expensive.

If near enough to Canada and you have a passport, drive up and purchase there.

Web search for discount programs and -x savings cards

Switch to BCP PZI or ProZinc.
 
We're in Baltimore; Canada is a bit of a drive!

The script is for a vial, not for the pens. I found the Lantus savings program online that claims I'll pay no more than $25 on up to three pens... so that might be worth looking into. If the pharmacies around here will accept it I might see if I can get the vet to tweak the prescription since it's the same thing just in a different format.
 
The pens get used like a vial - twist off the cap and use a syringe to withdraw the insulin. No need for the pen needles. May need a NPI - national provider ID, which vets don't normally have..
 
I was reading that on another forms about the NPI.

I'm just... at a loss. I have no idea where we're going to get the money for this. We just don't HAVE $100+ to spend. It's not a matter of wanting to; we don't HAVE it. We don't have any room on credit cards because those all got maxed out with the dog's health issues.

Do pharmacies take CareCredit? Does anyone know? We have that from the dog's failed surgery and passing...
 
I am going to to call them tomorrow, I'm just freaking out and overreacting because the sticker shock is coming so soon after we just lost our dog. It's been a really really rough year for us and I can't go through another pet loss. So I'm overly emotional.

I do have a friend who is diabetic who seems like she might be willing to give us her "back-up" Lantus--she has a pump so she keeps Lantus on hand in case the pump breaks or she can't use it for whatever reason. So we might at least be able to get a good start without big bucks.

Starting to chill out a little here.
Getting a glass of wine.
 
Just a note - if you feed low carb canned or raw food, the typical Lantus dose is around 1-2 units twice a day.

With a 3 mL pen of 300 units:
1 unit BID (twice a day) will last about 150 days or 5 months
2 units BID (twice a day) will last about 75 days or 2.5 months
 
Yeah, we switched him from dry Meow Mix to canned Friskies (checked the list to find the higher-protein, lower-carb varieties) when his initial blood test results came back sooooo high (I think I remember my husband telling me the vet said 500, but that seems super super high so I don't know). They were at, I think, 350 when they tested his blood again yesterday after doing the urine testing (levels over 1000 in his urine apparently).

The initial prescription is for 1U twice a day. Which means if we could afford it, a vial (or even pens) would last for freakin' ever--well, at least through its "shelf life."
 
Vet authorized a switch to VetSulin, we'll see how that goes--I put in an order online for the first vial and 100 syringes. I figure we can pick up more syringes as needed at the pharmacy with a written script. Have to have it delivered to me at work so I can keep it cold, since nobody is home during the day... but we should be starting his injections real soon!
 
You don't want Vetsulin if you can help it as it hits hard and wears off too fast in felines. You often end up having to dose 3x a day and monitor much more closely, plus there's a much lower chance of remission. You can ask for Levemir, which works similarly to Lantus, or PZI/ProZinc. With the Levemir, ask for the prescription in pen form as they also have a discount card ($25 per pen per month up to 2 years) and it seems like they don't have as many restrictions on using it as the Lantus Savings Card.
 
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