Anyone have one, or know of someone who has one? Our cat was just diagnosed with a severe case of it just yesterday, and our family is trying to wrap our heads around the possibilities.

 

It's completely unchartered territory for us right now, so I'd appreciate any insight that anybody could offer. The doctor said time is of the essence right now, so there is sort of an urgency.

 

Just trying to make the best decision possible.

I fill a number of insulin prescriptions for cats pretty regularly. Feline diabetes is rather common.

My buddy has a pug who is diabetic.

Is the cat overweight?

What does insulin run...and how long does a vial last? I know that it depends on how much we have to give him, but just trying to ballpark it.

The cat was a big cat...probalby near 20 pounds. But he's lost 4 pounds since last October. He's a long-hair cat, so it's sometimes hard to see just how big (or little) he may actually be, unless you feel him.

What does insulin run...and how long does a vial last? I know that it depends on how much we have to give him, but just trying to ballpark it.

 

 

54-60 dollars depending on which one he vet wants him on and how many units per injection he wants daily.

Our vet told my wife it'd be probably $70-80, and that it'd likely last him about a month. He said there was a "cheaper" type, but that it didn't typically work as well in a lot of cats. Sound right?

Our vet told my wife it'd be probably $70-80, and that it'd likely last him about a month. He said there was a "cheaper" type, but that it didn't typically work as well in a lot of cats. Sound right?

 

 

I honestly don't know off the top of my head. Humulin-N is generally what I see for animals. I do know though that you could probably get it cheaper at at retail pharmacy than your vet's office. You also might be able to use a AAA discount on your pet's meds. I know that my pharmacy does it if the owner has AAA. It would get you at least 10% off the price. Also it would be good for the vet to write an Rx for the syringes as well. It won't make it much cheaper, but it will take off sales tax since it is a prescription and you could also attempt to use the AAA discount on that too.

I've got to say...with pets, I stand as a firm believer that they're animals and not humans, and should still be treated as animals when it comes down to it. I completely understand the connection to your pets - I've had several family pets of my own over the course of my life, and its hard to let them go, but I have to say in the end that I think there are a lot of ways to better spend $70-80 a month...

 

I don't mean to go all Sally Struthers on you, but I donate to Food For The Poor, and $36 will feed a hungry child for a year. That's more or less 2 hungry children being fed for an entire year, or one month of insulin for a sick house cat.

 

I don't intend any offense to pet owners or animal lovers here...just trying to put a little perspective on things.

I've got to say...with pets, I stand as a firm believer that they're animals and not humans, and should still be treated as animals when it comes down to it. I completely understand the connection to your pets - I've had several family pets of my own over the course of my life, and its hard to let them go, but I have to say in the end that I think there are a lot of ways to better spend $70-80 a month...

 

I don't mean to go all Sally Struthers on you, but I donate to Food For The Poor, and $36 will feed a hungry child for a year. That's more or less 2 hungry children being fed for an entire year, or one month of insulin for a sick house cat.

 

I don't intend any offense to pet owners or animal lovers here...just trying to put a little perspective on things.

 

Do you also tell people not to buy books? Go to the movies? Buy a new car? Take vacations? What about BGP memberships? Internet services?

 

All of these things are ways that people enjoy themselves. So are pets. I don't care if you want to give people "your perspective." Personally, I wouldn't do it in someone's thread in which they are asking for advice (and not on what else they should be spending their money on, but hey, that's just me. However, make sure that you are consistent.

 

CincySportsFan, best of luck with your cat.

I've got to say...with pets, I stand as a firm believer that they're animals and not humans, and should still be treated as animals when it comes down to it. I completely understand the connection to your pets - I've had several family pets of my own over the course of my life, and its hard to let them go, but I have to say in the end that I think there are a lot of ways to better spend $70-80 a month...

 

I don't mean to go all Sally Struthers on you, but I donate to Food For The Poor, and $36 will feed a hungry child for a year. That's more or less 2 hungry children being fed for an entire year, or one month of insulin for a sick house cat.

 

I don't intend any offense to pet owners or animal lovers here...just trying to put a little perspective on things.

 

I will try to return the favor and respond in a fashion that won't offend you. But I am a still a little upset at your comments. For the record, I am glad that you donate to Food for the Poor. I am taking nothing away from that, or any other organization, that helps fight child hunger.

 

However, it is still my money. Money that I have worked very hard for. But my decision to possibly spend it on my cat, is no different than people who decide to spend it on season tickets to the Reds, Bengals, or Wildcats. It's an expense. But I don't see anybody on here saying that we'd all be better off if we gave up our season tickets to buy food for the hungry...even though it may very well be true.

Thank you TB&G...you were able to get my point out much more promptly than I could. (Re-wrote it two or three times!)

 

And yes, I'm looking for advice. Like many, I am not enjoying a financial windfall right now. So there would have to be some sacrifices made if we ultimately decide to go this route. But, ultimately I'm looking into insight into what all it details...how often do you have to monitoring...what food do you use...what happens if you go out of town for the weekend...and such.

Do you also tell people not to buy books? Go to the movies? Buy a new car? Take vacations? What about BGP memberships? Internet services?

 

All of these things are ways that people enjoy themselves. So are pets. I don't care if you want to give people "your perspective." Personally, I wouldn't do it in someone's thread in which they are asking for advice (and not on what else they should be spending their money on, but hey, that's just me. However, make sure that you are consistent.

 

CincySportsFan, best of luck with your cat.

 

Sorry to get anyone's boxers all up in a bunch...CincySportsFan asked for advice, and I gave my "perspective"...which I'm pretty sure can be interpreted as advice. I didn't tell him what to do, I just gave my advice as to what I would do.

 

CSF, yes, best of luck with your cat, and True Blue, sorry if I thought I was telling you not to "enjoy yourself" - and even more sorry if you thought I might have been suggesting that you reach out to others.

Sorry to get anyone's boxers all up in a bunch...CincySportsFan asked for advice, and I gave my "perspective"...which I'm pretty sure can be interpreted as advice. I didn't tell him what to do, I just gave my advice as to what I would do.

 

CSF, yes, best of luck with your cat, and True Blue, sorry if I thought I was telling you not to "enjoy yourself" - and even more sorry if you thought I might have been suggesting that you reach out to others.

 

CincySportsFan asked for specific information...if anyone had a diabetic cat and for those that had, to give insight into it. You, however, decide, to in essence, tell him not to waste money on his cat because kids are going hungry. I don't see you going into the sports forums and telling those fans to give up their season (or even one game) tickets. I don't see you in the readers forum telling those posters to quit buying books. I don't see you giving up your BGP membership (hey, in two years you could feed a child for a month!)

 

You don't have to tell me to reach out to others...and I bet that you don't have to tell CincySportsFan either. I can ensure you that not only do I do plenty, I organize activities that promote other people to donate money.

 

Just be consistent. Make sure that you go into every other thread and tell them that they shouldn't be doing what they are doing and that they should instead be donating their money. "How will the Wildcats do next year?" Who cares? Just donate your ticket money to a charity. Somebody asks for advice on what car to purchase...who cares? Tell them to stick with their old one and donate the money to a charity.

 

At least DON'T do it in a thread in which someone has a beloved pet that have been diagnosed with a serious illness and that they are trying to come to terms with it and figure out how to deal with it.