Silly pussycat has diabetes. Need insulin price help?

When my previous cat had diabetes, I got the insulin directly from the vet. Could that be cheaper for you?

WOW I had no idea Lantus was so expensive. I just spent some time researching Lantus in cats, because you made me curious.

As the patent expiration has approached, the manufacturer has actually increased the price rather than lowering it. Typical.

I think before deciding to pay that amount, from $200-300 or more a bottle, I'd decide if my cat's overall health and life expectancy are good and if I can afford all the follow up care, testing supplies, etc. One thing I read was that Lantus offers the best chance at remission of the diabetes in newly diagnosed cats. That, for me, would probably make me willing to pay that amount, knowing it might make a difference for the cat's future health. A bottle kept refrigerated will have a shelf life of at least 6 months if not more, and other companies are actively developing their own generic version (insulin glargine).

But plenty of cats do well on regular insulin, which is much cheaper, and if you can't afford the Lantus you should simply tell your vet that and discuss cheaper options. That said: I tried regular insulin on my old kitty, but he was very deconditioned by the time we had a diagnosis and he didn't do well. He sort of just gave up and refused to eat and I couldn't regulate his blood sugar.

I hope others will weigh in with success stories, or maybe a cheaper source. Good luck to you and kitty--I have a crunchy old special needs old man cat and I know how time consuming and expensive a chronic condition like that can be.

I was able to get a "generic" insulin from Walmart called Novulin.  It was inexpensive compared to the name brand insulins.

My cat uses Novolin and it's only $25 at Walmart. I would ask your vet if your kitty can use that. My Midnight has been on it a year and has been fine. I buy the syringes there also  

There is an app called Good RX. It gives you the cost of medications at locations around you.

I second talking to the vet about a more cost effective medication too. I know for me when I was perscribed a drug that was too expensive, I called my doctor for an alternative. We should feel comfortable about doing the same thing for our pets.

Novolin or Humulin did NOT get our diabetic cat into an acceptable blood sugar range. For our cat, they were not as effective as Lantus. You'll need to test frequently to make sure they work for your cat.

We have been dealing with a diabetic cat for almost three years and we pay $286 a vial at Walmart. One vial lasts us about 4-5 months as long as you keep it refrigerated. Sharps are around $12 for a box of 100.

I don't know anything about cats or insulin, but when Louis was on Metacam I ordered it from California Pet Pharmacy. It was sooooo much cheaper than the vet.