Newbie - Purchasing Suggestions for Supplies?

Hello!

Our cat Scrappy (see picture on my profile!) was just diagnosed as diabetic. She received her first insulin shot at the vet on Monday, 21 March, & we started home injections the next day. The vet ordered our "starter set" for us but is fine with us buying equipment elsewhere. Scrappy is going back to the vet every couple of days for a check up while we tweak her dosage, but eventually we'll start testing her at home. This leads to several questions that I didn't find in the newbie FAQs or see Forums for, but maybe I missed them.

From the vet, the ProZinc insulin 10 ml = $143.95. I see several places with cheaper pricing online, but they don't go into details on their shipping. Doesn't this have to stay cold when shipped or is it just refrigerate after opening? If it has to be kept cool constantly, who have you purchased from that is reliable? I'll put quality over cost when it comes to Scrappy, but if there is a reliable online source I'd love to hear about it please!

100 U-40 Merck syringes = $38.95 from the vet. The vet said we HAD to use these syringes. I've gathered it isn't so much that we have to use this brand but the U-40 size right? What other brands are good? Any reliable providers on the internet?

Finally, for the ear tester, what models do you recommend that are easy to use on a cat ear &, not only that, are as painless & trauma free as possible for the cat? We haven't discussed these with the vet yet as she wants to get Scrappy stable before turning testing over to us, but I could use some model suggestions before we talk to the vet.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.
~Kim

 

Kim, welcome. The Wal-Mart brand relion micro or Confirm meter are good. They use the smallest blood drop like the pet meter.

Make sure you get extra strips. Human meter will run lower than pet meter.

As soon as you get one look at the videos here on testing. Start right away and practice. You should be testing as soon asap. You do not need to wait. You will need the information to get your kitty stable.

The syringes should be u-40 . Here is a link to getting on line. http://www.adwdiabetes.com/

Have you read the food information sticky? Low carb wet pate is the best.

Anymore questions please ask.

 

Hi and welcome. You came to the right place to get help. I bought the relion prime and supplies then i took it to my vet the same day they were doing the glucose test and then had them show me how to use it and how to prick the cats ear to get blood. I highly recommend you do the same to get the experience.
you can order the u-40 syringes here with or without the disposal box. http://www.adwdiabetes.com/search.aspx?keywords=u-40 pet insulin syringes

This is the place to order insulin from you just need your prescription- rxcanada4less.com/index.html

The links for the meter and supplies
meter- http://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Prime-Blood-Glucose-Monitoring-System-Blue/20752266
strips-http://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Prime-Blood-Glucose-Test-Strips-50ct/20752265
lancets-http://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Ultra-Thin-Lancets-200-count/43184842
lancet device-http://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Lancing-Device/34129433
ketones-http://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Ketone-Test-Strips-50-count/33574014

coupons
fancy feast- http://www.couponsherpa.com/grocery-coupons/manufacturer/fancy-feast/
Sheba perfect portions- http://www.sheba.com/Home