Why Smokey

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

Debra W

New Member
My beloved Smokey was just diagnosed with diabetes. nailbite_smile He is my oldest of four cats and was a rescue. I am willing to give him the best that I can give, because he has given me so much.
So, next step.....calm down & adjust.
The vet said his level was around 500 and so she said to give him shots twice a day of insulin (Lantus) and change his diet from the dry food to wet canned food. Then after a week of shots, he will have to go in for a glucose curve (that should be fun). After which, they can finally decide on the correct dosage.

Ok, easy peasy right? Not so much... didn't realize the cost of this each month. The insulin is about $103.00 for a bottle which more than likely will not be used up in the month and so since the directions say don't use past 28 days, it seems I will just be throwing money out the window. The syringes are $3.49 for a pack of 10. That pack won't last me but 5 days. How can people afford this?
Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated. I am currently try to read and search for information but it is all so overwhelming. I am not slow by any means but there has to be more information in simpler terms.
Thanks in advance :YMSIGH:
Debra & Smokey
 
We can help you and Smokey! All of us felt overwhelmed at first but it gets easier. I promise.

You can use the insulin longer than 28 days. Read this info on care and storage: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151

You don't need to take the kitty to the vet for a glucose curve. We test our cats at home, just like we would our 2 legged children. We have taught hundreds of people over the Internet and would love to help you learn how. Not only will hometesting save you money, we think it is much more accurate. Kitties get stressed at the vet and stress raises bg levels. We think levels at home are more accurate to base doses on.

Keep reading and ask questions. This is very doable and we'd love to help you help your kitty.
 
Debra W said:
Ok, easy peasy right? Not so much... didn't realize the cost of this each month. The insulin is about $103.00 for a bottle which more than likely will not be used up in the month and so since the directions say don't use past 28 days, it seems I will just be throwing money out the window.
Click to expand...


Lantus is expensive but you don't need to buy the useless (for cats) 10 ml bottle. Use the bottle for now but when you need more (probably in about a month), ask the vet to write you a prescription for the Lantus SoloStar pens. It is Lantus insulin in a pen form. It comes in a box of five 3 ml pens which initially costs more ($150 or so) *but* the box will last you at lest 5 months. So it's more cost effective :smile:

You don't use the SoloStar pen like a diabetic Human would, as shown in this picture: http://www.lantus.com/images/hcp/charts/breakout.gif

Use the SoloStar pen like this:

How%20to%20use%20an%20%20insulin%20pen%20for%20cats2.jpg


Some people buy Lantus from online Canadian pharmacies for pretty cheap. That might be something you can look into. I think you have to fax over a prescription once you place the order online.

You can use a free prescription drug card at the Human pharmacy to save a couple dollars on Lantus: http://www.felinediabetes.com/phorum5/read.php?8,1946184,1946184 Not much help but it's something.

Debra W said:
The syringes are $3.49 for a pack of 10. That pack won't last me but 5 days. How can people afford this?
Click to expand...


Where did you buy the insulin syringes? You can buy insulin syringes in a box of 100 at the pharmacy for anywhere between $13 to $30, depending on brand. If you buy from the local Human pharmacy, you may need a prescription from the vet. Or, buy online from Hocks.com or AmericanDiabetesWholesale.com without a prescription :smile: BD UltraFine II is one of the most expensive brands of insulin syrings. Monojects, GNP, and Wal Mart's ReliOn brand of insulin syrings are inexpensive by comparision ($13 to $15 or so) and work just as well.

For Lantus, you want 3/10 cc insulin syringes with half unit markings. The half unit markings makes it really easy to measure small half and even quarter units doses, which some cats do need.

resource.aspx


Tips on how to keep costs down: http://binkyspage.tripod.com/frugal.html
 
Debra W said:
The insulin is about $103.00 for a bottle which more than likely will not be used up in the month and so since the directions say don't use past 28 days, it seems I will just be throwing money out the window. The syringes are $3.49 for a pack of 10. That pack won't last me but 5 days. How can people afford this?
Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated. I am currently try to read and search for information but it is all so overwhelming. I am not slow by any means but there has to be more information in simpler terms.
Thanks in advance :YMSIGH:
Debra & Smokey
Click to expand...

Ask your vet to write a prescription for the Lantus Solostar pens. The initial cost is about twice that of one vial, but you get 5 pens. Because each pen contains about 300 units, you will most likely be able to use almost every drop of insulin before it becomes ineffective. One package of 5 pens will last several months to almost a year, depending on your dose. There is also a $25 coupon in the Supply Closet plus some information for ordering it from Canada at a much lower cost.

You can buy syringes at any pharmacy and store brands will work. I use Walmart's Relion brand syringes and pay about $13 for a box of 100. Ask for the 31 guage, 30 unit (3ml) syringes. The short needles usually have 1/2 unit markings on them which really help with accurate dosing.

Last, learn to hometest. This is something we strongly recommend. By testing at home, you will 1) know if it is safe to give the dose of insulin, 2) know if the current dose is working or you need to adjust and 3) save you money since you will not have to take your cat to the vet just for a curve. You can do your own curves at home. In addition, readings at the vet are not really accurate due to "vet stress". This can raise a cat's glucose levels significantly and give false readings. You can test with any human glucose meter including store brands. We have information on this site about ordering a free newbie kit, which will include a meter. Or many of us use the Walmart brand Relion meters. They are not expensive and the strips do not cost much when compared to some of the other brands.
 
hello and welcome!

first off, it doesn't have to be expensive and we will be more than happy to show you how to keep it from being so.

for instance, the info on lantus that Sue gave you will make the insulin more affordable. as an example, i got a 5 pack of the lantus solostar pens in December 2009 and i haven't used them all yet. at the time there was a coupon out for a free 5 pack so i didn't have to pay for them but without the coupon i think that 5 pack runs $200-$250 which really isn't bad for what has turned out to be over a year's worth of insulin for my kitty.

some people have even been able to buy 1 pen at a time rather than a whole 5 pack of them. that depends on what your pharmacy will do in that regard. when you are done with this first vial, assuming your kitty hasn't gone into remission by then :smile: , have the vet give you a script for solostar pens the next time.

also, you can get syringes at walmart for about $13 for 100 of them. some states require prescriptions for those but no biggy, just get one from your vet. i'm in california and we don't have to have a script here but for instance i think in new york you do.

in regard to food, wet low carb is best. and you don't have to use the prescription stuff if you don't want. there are many "over the counter" kitty foods that are low carb so you can save $$ there too.

what else what else.....i was typing and got pulled away by a customer so someone else might have already told you this stuff. if so, i apologize for the duplicate info :smile:
 
Hi Debra, and, of course, you too, sweet Smokey,

Debra W said:
I am not slow by any means but there has to be more information in simpler terms.
Click to expand...

Guess what? Everyone else has covered pretty much everything, so I am most proud to be your simpler terms person!

Breathe, Debra. Just breathe.



Welcome to the place you never wanted to be; but, will be blessed for having found.

Encouraging hugs for you and Smokey,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz, forever dancing in my heart...

PS: It's perfectly understandable to be overwhelmed. All the more reason to breathe...
 
When I picked up my first vial the pharmacy told me it would only last a couple of weeks! I about had a heart attack when I started calculating the costs. Then someone recommended I come here and I learned how to buy the insulin cheaper, I bought the syringes online -$13 for a box of 100, and got my testing strips on eBay so that my $18 blood tests turned into 44cent tests with my meter at home.

All that savings didn't add up to much tho, because they also taught me enough that my Smokey girl became diet controlled and received her last shot a little over a month after I joined :-D I think I read for 3 days straight on here trying to learn as much as I could about this disease.

It sounds like you have a pretty good vet who is up to date enough to prescribe Lantus and get you switched to wet food. With the wet food switch, learning to test at home could be very important as the BGs will drop quite a bit just from getting rid of the dry food. My poor Smokey got tired of me freaking out and poking her in the ear every time she went into a deep sleep, but I think the meter saved us from some bad situations because we dropped our dose pretty quickly after starting to home test.

Welcome. I hope you stick around and let the people here help. The Lantus support group forum is wonderful and full of very knowledgeable and helpful Lantus users.
 
Hi, Debra!! I hear ya on the expenses... but there are many things you can do to help control costs... several of which have been pointed out. Let me provide a few more suggestions...

1. Insulin-- not only should you go with the pens, but call around to Costco, Sams, and even outpatient pharmacies at hospitals. These places will often sell pens one at a time. Around Kansas City, it is $200 or so for a 5 pack, but $40/mo is more manageable. Also, if you have a AAA card, there is a prescription discount plan attached to that which will get you a little extra in savings.

2. Syringes. Walmart is likely your best retail bet, but ask around at target, drugstore chains, etc. You can also order online. I use the site ADW. Their prices are great on syringes and home testing equipment, they often run coupon codes (5% off all orders with code ADWTHU45 through April 30th!), they offer free shipping on all orders over $100, and if you link through Mr. Rebates, you get an extra 8% cashback. The savings really add up!

3. Hometesting. Hometesting is an important part of managing feline diabetes. It will save you money as you won't have to take Smokey to the vet for curves all the time... you can do them at home where they will also be more accurate as you won't have to deal with vet stress inflating the numbers. The Relion meter from walmart is a great starting meter... $9 for the meter and $20 for 50 strips. You can get the generic version of the meter/strips through ADW as well. I buy many of my test strips on ebay, where I'm able to get costs down to $0.05 to $0.17 per strip... less than half of the cost of even the already inexpensive walmart meter!

Hometesting will also allow you to always know it is safe to give a shot, and will give you the data you need to make wise dosing decisions, making your insulin usage more cost effective and helping you hopefully get Smokey off insulin altogether sooner rather than later!! Another thing you'll want to pick up are ketone strips. When you're first starting out, the risk of ketones is high... and without early detection, they can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition that is often deadly for cats, and VERY expensive to treat ($3-4K easily). One of the best $15 you can spend.

4. Food. You don't have to feed pet store brand foods, but you can. You want to be feeding a food that is under 10% carbohydrates (though many of us go with varieties under 5%). Lucky for all of us, the work has been done for us by the most wonderful Janet. You can just pick varieties on the chart that are in the carb range you want. Many recommend you limit seafood varieties...they may be high in contaminants and in phosphorus, which can be bad for kitties' kidneys. Acceptable foods run the gamut of the price range... from house brands at Petsmart (Sophisticat) and Walmart (Special Kitty) up to high-end pet store brands. You can also order foods online. I purchase gift cards from Petmart and Petco from ebay or gift card clearinghouses... for example, Plastic Jungle sells Petco gift cards at a 9% discount. Automatic sale on whatever you buy!! You can also pick up some low-carb treats at the pet stores... freeze-dried chicken breast is very popular here. Another tip? Check the dog treat aisle. You'll often find the same products in larger packaging at a much better cost per ounce!

There are definitely ways to make this process far more cost-effective. Doing the math for Willie, I estimate we spend in a day:
$1.48 insulin (cost of pen / 28 days. Many people keep the pen in the fridge and get many more days out of it)
$0.26 syringes (2 per day)
$1.25 test strips (assuming 8 tests at $0.155/strip...many will test less than this)
$0.15 treats
--------
$3.14, plus the cost of food/supplements. I managed to get some great gift card deals, so I am feeding a higher end food that I mix with a raw diet I use as well (for which I was able to get free venison as my dad is a hunter). I also use a couple supplements that are inexpensive as well.

Welcome to the forum! Please continue to have questions as you have them!
 
Nothing to add, but I just wanted to welcome you. My Smokey was also
a rescue at age 14 and had numerous health problems. He got
steroid-induced diabetes from treating his IBD. He passed away from
cancer at age 17-1/2, not from diabetes.

"Smokey"'s are the best.
 
You have found the right place! Once you get the hang of home testing you can do your own curves, I do. When Julius was first diagnosed it cost about $300 to have him at the vet all day. I dropped and broke my first insulin vial too! I totally sympathize with your worry. Once you get the hang of all of it the cost is not nearly as bad. Welcome! this is a great support group!
 
Wow - the advice is awesome and greatly appreciated. I will definitely look into all the recommendations. I did however go back to the vets to do the glucose curve and the vet dropped his insulin down to 1 ml twice a day. Good news, right?

I want to thank you all for the welcome and support. I will keep you posted as Smokey and I journey down this path.

Much love to all you for the help and support.
Debra & Smokey
 
Hi Debra and Smokey,
It is good news that the insulin has been decreased to one unit. I can't help but wonder if Smokey might need even less insulin because his numbers will likely have been higher from the stress of being at the vets. Have you considered testing him at home? It is not difficult at all, and there are several great videos to help. You will save the $$ of having him at the clinic for a day and get more accurate numbers.

If you think that you might try testing, just say the word. Suggestions for metres and other supplies as well as techniques will be generously offered.
 
Debra W said:
I did however go back to the vets to do the glucose curve and the vet dropped his insulin down to 1 ml twice a day.
Click to expand...



Not 1 ml of insulin. You mean 1 unit of insulin. Insulin is measured in units. 1 ml would be one completely full 100 unit / 1cc insulin syringe, which is a huge OD for most diabetic cats.

Check out the Lantus board for info on how the insulin works for cats, see how other cats are doing on Lantus, and get support from other users: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewforum.php?f=9
 
Also, when you get the new prescription for the Lantus pens, there is a $25 coupon in the Supply Closet that will help with the expense. You will get 5 pens with the prescription and each pen will last about 2-3 months. So for less than twice the cost of a vial, you will get about a year's worth of insulin.
 
Hi and welcome.

I can't add anything but wanted to say you have an amazing vet, many times we don't hear of vets telling folks to switch to canned food. I hope you change all of your kitties over to wet food, they will all be healthier for it.

Looking forward to getting to know you and your kitties :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top