Tanya

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TANYA'S

COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO

FELINE CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

24 July 2000 - 24 July 2020

Twenty years online!

(Not tax deductible since I am a private individual)

 

 
 

 

 

OBTAINING SUPPLIES CHEAPLY: CANADA

 

ON THIS PAGE:


Subcutaneous Fluids Supplies


Therapeutic Diets


Medications and Other Supplies


 

 

HOME


HOME


Site Overview


Just Diagnosed? What You Need to Know First


Search This Site


 

 

WHAT IS CKD?


What Happens in CKD


Causes of CKD


How Bad is It?


Is There Any Hope?


Acute Kidney Injury


 

KEY ISSUES: PROLONGING LIFE


Phosphorus Control


Hypertension

(High Blood Pressure)


Proteinuria


Anaemia


Potassium Imbalances


Pyelonephritis (Kidney Infections) and Urinary Tract Infections NEW


Metabolic Acidosis


Kidney Stones


 

KEY ISSUES: HELPING YOUR CAT FEEL BETTER


Nausea, Vomiting, Appetite Loss and Excess Stomach Acid


Maintaining Hydration


The B Vitamins (Including Methylcobalamin)


Constipation


 

CAT FOOD DATA


Ways of Assessing Food Content, Including What is Dry Matter Analysis


How to Use the Food Data Tables


USA Canned Food Data


USA Dry Food Data


USA Cat Food Brands: Helpfulness Ratings


USA Cat Food Brands: Contact Details


USA Food Data Book


 

SUPPORT


Coping with CKD


Tanya's Support Group


Success Stories


 

SYMPTOMS


Important: Crashing


Alphabetical List of Symptoms and Treatments


Fluid and Urinary  Imbalances (Dehydration, Overhydration and Urinary Issues)


Waste Product Regulation Imbalances (Vomiting, Appetite Loss, Excess Stomach Acid, Gastro-intestinal Problems, Mouth Ulcers Etc.)


Phosphorus and Calcium Imbalances


Miscellaneous Symptoms (Pain, Hiding Etc.)


 

DIAGNOSIS: WHAT DO ALL THE TEST RESULTS MEAN?


Early Detection


Blood Chemistry: Kidney Function, Potassium, Other Tests (ALT, Amylase, (Cholesterol, Etc.)


Calcium, Phosphorus, Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism


Complete Blood Count (CBC): Red and White Blood Cells: Anaemia and Infection


Urinalysis (Urine Tests)


Other Tests: Ultrasound, Biopsy, X-rays etc.


Renomegaly (Enlarged Kidneys)


Which Tests to Have and Frequency of Testing


Factors that Affect Test Results


Normal Ranges


International and US Measuring Systems


 

TREATMENTS


Which Treatments are Essential


Fluid and Urinary Issues (Fluid Retention, Infections, Incontinence, Proteinuria)


Waste Product Regulation (Mouth Ulcers, GI Bleeding, Antioxidants, Adsorbents, Azodyl, Astro's CRF Oil)


Phosphorus, Calcium and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (Calcitriol)


Phosphorus Binders


Steroids, Stem Cell Transplants and Kidney Transplants


Antibiotics and Painkillers


Holistic Treatments (Including Slippery Elm Bark)


ESAs (Aranesp, Epogen etc.) for Severe Anaemia


General Health Issues in a CKD Cat: Fleas, Arthritis, Dementia, Vaccinations


Tips on Medicating Your Cat


Obtaining Supplies Cheaply in the UK, USA and Canada


Working with Your Vet and Recordkeeping


 

DIET & NUTRITION


Nutritional Requirements of CKD Cats


The B Vitamins (Including Methylcobalamin)


What to Feed (and What to Avoid)


Persuading Your Cat to Eat


2007 Food Recall USA


 

FLUID THERAPY


Oral Fluids


Intravenous Fluids


Subcutaneous Fluids


Tips on Giving Subcutaneous Fluids


How to Give Subcutaneous Fluids with a Giving Set


How to Give Subcutaneous Fluids with a Syringe


Subcutaneous Fluids - Winning Your Vet's Support


Dialysis


 

RELATED DISEASES


Heart Problems


Hyperthyroidism


Diabetes


Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)


Pancreatitis


Dental Problems


Anaesthesia


 

OBTAINING SUPPLIES CHEAPLY


UK


USA Online


USA Local (Fluids)


Canada


 

SAYING GOODBYE


The Final Hours


Other People's Losses


Coping with Your Loss


 

MISCELLANEOUS


Prevention


Feline CKD Research, Including Participation Opportunities


CKD Research in Other Species


Share This Site: A Notice for Your Vet's Bulletin Board or Your Local Pet Shop


Canine Kidney Disease


Other Illnesses (Cancer, Liver) and Behavioural Problems


Diese Webseite auf Deutsch


 

SITEOWNER (HELEN)


My Three CKD Cats: Tanya, Thomas and Ollie


Find Me on Facebook


Follow Me on Twitter


Contact Me


Home > Supplies > Canada

 


Overview


  • In most cases, your vet will charge more for sub-Q supplies and therapeutic kidney diets 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.

  • In Canada, you don't need a prescription to buy fluids.


Subcutaneous Fluids Supplies


A few people have found the cheapest place to obtain LRS fluids in Canada was from their local hospital's pharmacy — items not in stock can usually be ordered overnight and will be available for collection the next day. You can also contact medical supply stores in your local area.

 

One person used Ontario Vet College in Guelph, ON, and found their prices reasonable.

 

Here are some companies that have been used with success by members of Tanya's CKD Support Group.

 

Stevens Company


The Stevens Company

 

Branches throughout Canada. You have to create an online account to see prices. Minimum order is CAN$20. Many people find it easier to call their nearest branch and pay over the phone. They will deliver locally, delivery is around 2-4 days.

 

Prices seem to vary somewhat from branch to branch, but for example:

 

Item

Quantity

Price in CAN$

Date

1000ml lactated ringers solution

1

3.56

2020 10

Needles size 18 or 21

100

8.80

2020 10

IV administration sets (15 drops/ml)

1

2.40

2019 05

 

Shipping is usually free over CAN$100, otherwise it is around CAN$7.

 

They also sell size 18 and size 19 winged infusion sets.

 

Medical Mart


Medical Mart

 

Has branch offices throughout Canada. Also a retail store in Mississauga where you can purchase supplies from stock:

 

550 Matheson Blvd W

Mississauga

ON

L5R 4B8

Tel: 905-624-2011 or 1-800-379-4780 or store@medimart.com

 

Prices are cheaper from their warehouse nearby but you have to order in advance.

 

Prices are not given on the website, but here are prices people have paid:

Item Quantity Price in CAN$ Date
1000ml lactated ringers solution 1 4.00 - 5.95 2016 12
Needles in various sizes 100 11.00 2016 12

Administration sets

1 4.95 2016 12

500ml and 250ml bags are also available.

 

Pets Drug Mart


Pets Drug Mart

 

Item

Quantity

Price in CAN$

Date

1000ml lactated ringers solution

1

7.25

2020 09

Needles various sizes

100

8.55

2020 09

Administration sets 20 drops/ml*

1

4.55

2020 09

Winged infusion sets, size 21 or 23

1

1.69

2020 09

Winged infusion sets, size 21 or 23

50

41.65

2020 09

*This speed is probably too slow for most cats.

 

Shipping costs vary, one person paid CAN$6 to Vancouver.

 

They also sell Normosol-R and PlasmaLyte A fluids.

 

Also sell other medications, see below.

 

Stat Health Care


Stat Health Care Corporation

 

A wholesale distributor in Calgary that only sells within Alberta.

 

You have to contact them for prices.

 

The phone number is 403-297-0700.

info@stathealthcare.com

 

Marchese Medical Supplies


Marchese Medical Supplies

 

Located in Hamilton, Ontario, with both a pharmacy and a medical supplies store (separate locations).

 

Lactated ringers costs CAN$7.99 a bag. Apparently prices may be lower if you visit.

 


Therapeutic Diets


 

Ask about buying in bulk from your vet. One of our cats needed a therapeutic 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.

 

Global Pet Foods


Global Pet Foods

 

Apparently sell a variety of foods, including some therapeutic diets, at reasonable prices, though choices and prices vary from store to store.

 

My Vet Store


My Vet Store

 

Sells therapeutic kidney diets for around $2 a can.

 


Medications and Other Supplies


 

Pets Drug Mart


Pets Drug Mart

 

Has a section for kidney supplies (click on Feline, then on Liver, Kidney, Renal), and sells various items, such as maropitant and cyproheptadine at reasonable prices. Shipping is at cost.

 

Walmart


Walmart

 

Sells a number of generic medications cheaply, such as lactulose or benazepril.

 


Medications and Other Supplies


 

Please also see the following pages:

  • Medicating Your Cat for items to help make pilling less stressful for you both, such as Pill Pockets and gelcaps.

 

 

Back to Page Index

This page last updated: 31 October 2020

Links on this page last checked: 05 September 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

*****

 

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.

 

*****

Copyright © Tanya's Feline CKD Website 2000-2020. All rights reserved.

 

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