In most cases, your vet will charge more
for sub-q supplies and prescription foods than other sources. If you can
save money on the basics, you will have money available to pay your vet
for regular check ups.
The cheapest place for fluids is usually a local pharmacy, but you have
to know where to go and what exactly to ask for.
Alternatively, there are good, reliable and cost effective online
suppliers, both for fluid supplies and food.
Medical Martcan provide lactated ringers but don't
give prices. In November 2011 they were charging CAN$7
for a 1000ml bag of LRS, or CAN$49.95 for 12,
with no prescription required.
Shipping is extra. I have been advised that it is easier to
deal with Medical Mart if you phone them.
Pacific Health Care sells
1000ml bags of LRS for CAN$5.95. You need to log in before
you can access the website and view their catalogue, but if
you want to check it out, either call or e-mail them
(contact details are on their site) and they will send you a
temporary login and password. They have advised me that
shipping costs to those outside BC may mean it would be
cheaper for such people to try to find a more local
supplier, but they do ship all across Canada if required.
Canada Drugs also advertise as if they only
supply to US customers but they will supply to Canadian
customers as well, albeit only if you live outside the
province where they are located
(Manitoba). Again, the prices quoted on the site are in US
dollars.
The Stevens Company
was recommended by somebody who has not used them
herself but they were recommended to her by a friend who had used
them. They also do not post prices on the site.
Stat Health Care is a wholesale distributor in
Calgary which sells one litre bags of lactated ringers for
CAN$3.50 per bag, with a flat fee shipping charge of
CAN$6-10. This company only sells within Alberta. The phone
number is 403-297-0700.
One person found the cheapest
place to obtain LRS fluids in Canada was from her local
hospital's pharmacy - items not in stock can usually be
ordered overnight and will be available for collection the
next day.
Pacific Health Care
sells needles at CAN$8.95 for 100.
You need to log in before you can access the website and
view their catalogue, but if you want to check it out,
either call or e-mail them (contact details are on their
site) and they will send you a temporary login and password.
I'm afraid I haven't heard of any cheap food suppliers based
in Canada as yet. If you know of any, please
contact me.
In the meantime,
you could ask about buying in bulk from your vet. Our cat, Harpsie, needed
a prescription food which cost US$2 per 5.5 oz can. However, when we
bought a case, the price fell to US$1.40 a can.
TREATING YOUR CAT WITHOUT VETERINARY ADVICE CAN BE
EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
I have
tried very hard to ensure that the information provided in this website is
accurate, but I am NOT a vet, just an ordinary person who has lived
through CKD with three cats. This website is for educational purposes
only, and is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat any cat. Before
trying any of the treatments described herein, you MUST consult a
qualified veterinarian and obtain professional advice on the correct
regimen for your cat and his or her particular requirements; and you
should only use any treatments described here with the full knowledge and
approval of your vet. No responsibility can be accepted.
If your cat
appears to be in pain or distress, do not waste time on the internet,
contact your vet immediately.
This site was
created using Microsoft software, and therefore it is best viewed in
Internet Explorer. I know it doesn't always display too well in other
browsers, but I'm not an IT expert so I'm afraid I don't know how to
change that. I would love it to display perfectly everywhere, but my focus
is on making the information available. When I get time, I'll try to
improve how it displays in other browsers.
You may print
out one copy of each section of this site for your own information and/or
one copy to give to your vet, but this site may not otherwise be
reproduced or reprinted, on the internet or elsewhere, without the
permission of the site owner, who can be contacted via the
Contact Me
page.
This site is a labour of love on my part. Please do not steal from me by taking credit for my work.
If you wish to
link to this site, please feel free to do so. Please make it clear that
this is a link and not your own work. I would appreciate being informed of
your link.
