I can't afford insulin for my dog anymore :(

[Flea]

I set up a gofundme last year but it was a flop because i'm not on face book or anything like that. I was a 9-11 responder and she's my service dog; she'll be 10 10/7. I've spent a fortune on her since she was dx'd--so much so that my landlord has me in housing court for being behind in my rent. She takes Humiilin-N 16 units 2x daily.

Anybody know of any miracles?

[MomofGus]

Re: I can't afford insulin for my dog anymore

I don't know if you're in the U.S. and what you're paying for Humulin N, but you could switch to Novolin N, which is only around $25 at Walmart. Most find it works as well and switching is pretty much the same dosage. Hope this helps. Just tell your Vet your situation and you need a cheaper insulin.

[Jbeemer2]

Re: I can't afford insulin for my dog anymore

In many states you can go into Walmart and purchase Novolin And syringes without a prescription. It was $24.88 last week. Perhaps your state is one of those?

I’m sorry you’re going through such a tough time.
Jennifer

[k9diabetes]

Re: I can't afford insulin for my dog anymore

Are you testing her blood sugar at home? That is much less expensive usually than having the vet check it.

I have a meter I can send you if you're not yet testing at home.

Please tell us more about her and her diabetes - how it's been treated and monitored and how her regulation has been.

As others mentioned, Walmart's version of N insulin is just $25 per bottle - you must ask them for RELION insulin. It's made by Novo Nordisk.

Natalie

[KathyLindly]

Re: I can't afford insulin for my dog anymore

I set up a gofundme last year but it was a flop because i'm not on face book or anything like that. I was a 9-11 responder and she's my service dog; she'll be 10 10/7. I've spent a fortune on her since she was dx'd--so much so that my landlord has me in housing court for being behind in my rent. She takes Humiilin-N 16 units 2x daily.

Anybody know of any miracles?

You might check with your vet or local humane society, my vet has a fund set up for clients who are unable to afford pet care. They take donations and do a major fund raiser once a year. Also switching to Novolin from Walmart is saving me great deal of money i get it with no RX at $25.00 a vial
I am so sorry that you are having such a tough time, hopefully there may be some resource available to help if you message me with your location i will do some resarch for you to see if i can find some assistance with the insulin issue for your pup

[Raysaint]

Re: I can't afford insulin for my dog anymore

Sounds like changing insulin as others suggested is a big start.
Sometimes the manufacturer might even help with cost if they know your situation.
Would any pet food stores maybe donate the food you need, or have a donation drive at their store. Or even just a box people could put food donations in.
Print up a little flyer explaining your situation and ask the store to let you put it by the cash register.

[Flea]

Re: I can't afford insulin for my dog anymore

I don't know if you're in the U.S. and what you're paying for Humulin N, but you could switch to Novolin N, which is only around $25 at Walmart. Most find it works as well and switching is pretty much the same dosage. Hope this helps. Just tell your Vet your situation and you need a cheaper insulin.

I will check this out. Thank you.

[Flea]

Re: I can't afford insulin for my dog anymore

I would like to hear more about this switch. Were you able to use the same amount of units?

[MomofGus]

Re: I can't afford insulin for my dog anymore

When we switched from Vetsulin to Novolin N, we started out with the same units. I'm sure there is someone here who switched from Humulin to Novolin, but I would believe it would be the same. Also get syringes from Walmart as well for around $12 for 100.

Do you hometest? And if so, what meter & strips? There are alternatives out there to help cut down on costs. If you are not hometesting, and rely on the vet,that is costing needless expense when you really should be doing it at home.

[CraigM]

Re: I can't afford insulin for my dog anymore

I would like to hear more about this switch. Were you able to use the same amount of units?

Yes. Walmart has switched their source of their ReliOn branded insulin several times in the past 10 years. I started using their Novolin-N about 9 years ago, then they switched to Humulin-N for two years. Then they switched back to Novolin-N! My Annie stayed on the same dosage.

To be honest, I did reduce the dosage by an unit when I switched, but through home blood testing I discovered I needed to return to the previous dosage.

Craig

[jesse girl]

Re: I can't afford insulin for my dog anymore

yes basically its the same insulin . i have switched jesse a few times because at one time Walmart had humulin as the deal insulin

i go 2 months before replacing . i use one syringe a day ( some may frown on that but jesse hasnt had a problem )

we also use a discount human meter where we get strips off ebay for $ 5 for 50

so for jesse basically for the month it costs $ 12 for insulin, $ 4 for syringes , and $ 10 for test strips for a grand total of $ 26 a month

now i dont use a vets assistance in managing the disease and this is how i have done it for the last 7 years

this is a disease that can be accomplished for most financial situations . what i have found out the more you put into this as far as management the better your dog will perform and the forum can help with all that

knowledge is the most valuable thing you can have and people here give it freely

[amydunn19]

Re: I can't afford insulin for my dog anymore

My Maggie was on both HumulinN and Novolin N - we started getting it at Walmart when it was Humulin then the contract changed to Novolin. I much preferred Novolin to Humulin. The differences were subtle but because I am one of those really crazy people who measures everything, I noticed. First, Novolin seemed to stay effective longer. I got an extra hour or two out of her insulin each day. One thing I really liked was that the bottle itself stayed fresher longer as well. After thirty days on Humulin, Maggie's numbers started going up. Then, we would get a new bottle, and her numbers dropped again. When we switched to Novolin, Her numbers would not start rising until about 45 days and sometimes beyond. I think there must be something they use to preserve it differently. But, if Wal Mart had gone back to Humulin, I would have to. The changes were only slight and not something I would pay $125 extra dollars for.

If you can test at home, it will save you money in the long run and keep you more on top of things.

[Flea]

Re: I can't afford insulin for my dog anymore

I have a meter. If it's no good I might take you up on that. If possible I'd like to try the cheap insulin on my own--the
humane Society vet doesn't take phone calls and I can't afford to go in right now. I'll get back to you with the rest of what you asked. I'm pretty ill myself...

Are you testing her blood sugar at home? That is much less expensive usually than having the vet check it.

I have a meter I can send you if you're not yet testing at home.

Please tell us more about her and her diabetes - how it's been treated and monitored and how her regulation has been.

As others mentioned, Walmart's version of N insulin is just $25 per bottle - you must ask them for RELION insulin. It's made by Novo Nordisk.

Natalie

[amydunn19]

Re: I can't afford insulin for my dog anymore

You shouldn't need a prescription. The dosing should be the same. Because my dog was super sensitive to any change, she ended up on a half unit less. Most stay on the same dose.

[Flea]

Re: I can't afford insulin for my dog anymore

Sorry for slow responses. I move very slowly. I wish somebody would take her--for her own good. 10yo 10/7/97! beautiful Walker. I'm hoping to learn more about that alternative insulin. Someday, at this rate.

PS Son gave insulin this am. Tells me he thinks he missed half dose. Nothing to do I guess.

Thinking of feeding wellness core 'wild game'.