Home > Supplies > US Local Supplies
Overview
- It is usually cheaper to buy your sub-Q fluids online or from a local pharmacy.
- Unfortunately there have been fluids shortages in the USA in recent years, which means it can sometimes be hard to find fluids at all, let alone at reasonable prices.
- This page has details of pharmacies where members of Tanya’s CKD Support Group have been able to find fluids locally.
- It also explains more about how to obtain these supplies more cheaply, such as by using discount cards.
- Please see Obtaining Supplies Cheaply Online for where to buy fluids and other supplies such as needles online in the USA.
Obtaining a Prescription
A prescription is required for fluids in every state. Ask for a prescription that enables you to buy a case of fluids (12-14 bags) of fluid at one time, and that allows you to order refills.
If your vet refuses to write a prescription, you may be able to insist that s/he does so, depending upon which state you live in — The American Veterinary Medical Association has more information on this.
Even if you do not live in a state where the vet must give you a prescription if you ask for one, the American Veterinary Medical Association states “As a veterinarian, when you determine that a medication is needed for a patient, you can discuss with your client the benefits of having the drug dispensed directly from your clinic. If your client still wants the prescription filled elsewhere, you should comply with their wish and provide a written prescription.”
Using Local Pharmacies
See Subcutaneous Fluids Tips for more information on the various types of fluid that are sold for use in cats. Most people use lactated ringers solution (LRS).
The cheapest source for fluids is usually to find a local pharmacy in your area offering low prices. This has several advantages:
- It saves on shipping costs, which are often expensive since fluids are heavy.
- You will often be able to obtain the fluids more quickly.
- Your vet may be more comfortable about you using a local pharmacy and therefore more inclined to give you the prescription you need.
Most pharmacies do not stock fluids but until 2014 chains such as Walgreen’s or Costco could all often obtain fluids for you quickly and cheaply, usually for under US$30 a case (a case usually refers to twelve bags of 1000 ml fluid, though occasionally it will be for fourteen bags of 1000 ml fluid). The Costco record is US$7 for a case (and that was in NYC). Using a discount card issued by the pharmacy chain itself or one of the discount cards discussed below can also result in worthwhile savings: the record for a purchase with a discount card (a locally issued card in this case) was US$5.99 for a case at a Target branch in Texas.
Before you get your hopes up, I have to tell you that sadly, in light of the regular nationwide fluid shortages, obtaining fluids locally is not always as easy as it used to be. CVS and Target no longer seem willing to order fluids. Prices bounce all over the place these days, and the current going rate for most people appears to be around US$35-120 a case. This is still cheaper than what many vets charge.
Do not wait until you are about to run out of fluids before trying to source them. Since fluids are usually good for at least a year, if your cat seems stable I would try to obtain a case or two as soon as you can so as not to have the potential headache of trying and failing to find any at short notice later in the year.
National Drug Code (NDC) Numbers
If you are purchasing fluids locally, It can help a lot if you have NDC (National Drug Code) numbers, which enable pharmacists to search their stock and supplier database quickly.
NDCs consist of 11 numbers in total: the manufacturer code (five numbers), followed by the drug code (four numbers), followed by the size code (two numbers). If a number is missing, you usually just add an extra 0 at the beginning of the section with the missing number.
These are the NDC codes for the most popular fluids:
| Fluid Type | DEHP Status | Brand | NDC Number |
| Lactated Ringers Solution | |||
| Lactated Ringers Solution | Hospira | 0409-7953-09 | |
| Lactated Ringers Solution | DEHP-Free | Hospira | 0409-7953-48 |
| Lactated Ringers Solution | DEHP-Free | Braun | 0264-7750-00 |
| Lactated Ringers Solution | DEHP-Free | Baxter | 0338-6307-04 |
| Normosol | |||
| Normosol-R | Hospira | 0409-7967-09 | |
| Normosol-R 7.4 pH | Hospira | 0409-7670-09 | |
| Sodium Chloride | |||
| 0.9% Sodium Chloride Solution | Hospira | 0409-7983-09 | |
Discount Cards
If you are purchasing your fluids locally, it is often very worthwhile to use a discount card. Different cards are accepted by different pharmacies, so I would try obtaining all these cards. You usually print them out and then take them with you to your local pharmacy and see which one gets you the biggest discount.
Tanya’s CKD Support Group members have not received any spam as a result of using the cards, though many choose to use an inaccurate e-mail address to be on the safe side (this won’t work for the GoodRx card, which e-mails you the card). See below for tips on obtaining fluids from local pharmacies.
Here are the cards which members have used successfully:
GoodRx Discount Card This card has been used successfully by many members of my support group. I have been told that Wal-Mart no longer accepts this card for pet medications, though some people have used it successfully. You can obtain a general discount card, but you may have more success if you go to the GoodRx website, state your location and choose a local pharmacy, then print a coupon for the item you require, to be used at that particular branch.
SingleCare has been used successfully by a member of the support group to obtain a discount for ESAs. The website quotes prices from US$30.84 for a case of 12 1000ml LRS, though prices vary depending upon your location. You choose the local pharmacy you wish to use from a list provided and then print out a coupon to take with you when you order.
Pet Drug Card has been used successfully by a member of the support group to obtain discounts at Wal-Mart.
RxFreeCard has been used successfully by one person I know of.
Simple Savings Card has been used successfully by quite a few people, as you can see below.
Discount Drug Network Card has been used successfully by one person.
RxSaver Card has been used successfully by one person.
American Automobile Association If you are a member of the AAA, you are eligible for an AAA Prescription Savings Card, which some members of my support group have used successfully to obtain fluids at a discount locally.
Drug Discount Card I haven’t heard from anyone who has used this card to date.
Drugs has a discount card available. I haven’t heard from anyone who has used this card to date.
How to Approach Local Pharmacies
Because of the regular fluids shortages in the USA, it is not as easy as it was to find fluids locally, but here is a strategy that might help. If you get lucky, you should receive your fluids quickly and at a reasonable price.
- Visit or call your local pharmacy (if you visit, take your cat’s prescription with you). Try to speak to a pharmacist rather than a clerk if possible — apparently the pharmacist has access to the full catalogue whereas the clerks often do not.
- It is particularly important to explain that you wish to order the fluids — most branches do not hold them in stock, but can order them quickly, though not every employee realises this.
- It greatly increases your chances of success if you can provide the pharmacist with the NDC (National Drug Code) for your fluids, see above.
- Try to use a discount card (see above). Most of these cards are free yet may sometimes entitle you to a lower price for your fluids. Many people print out all of these cards, then ask the pharmacist to check which one gives them the biggest discount and use that one.
- Following a change of supplier in 2014, Walgreens no longer supplies DEHP-free fluids, so you will have to decide whether this is a dealbreaker for you.
- Before you place your order, ask the pharmacist to call their supplier or check the online system to make sure the supplier has your chosen fluids in stock. Otherwise you could be disappointed a few days later when they call to tell you they can’t fill your order after all. Also double check the price before you order so you don’t get any nasty shocks.
- Ask the pharmacist to order the fluids for you if you are happy with the price quoted. Wait for the fluids to arrive (it should only take a day or so) and go and collect them.
Sources for Fluids Listed by State
The list is ordered alphabetically by state. If there is no information, it is because I have not been advised of any suppliers as yet.
You will notice many people were able to obtain better prices using a variety of discount cards. You can read more about these above.
ARIZONA
| Location | Pharmacy | Address | Purchase | Price US$ | Discount Card | Date |
| Glendale | Fry’s | 4329 W Northern Ave, Glendale 85301 | 14 LRS | 43.00 | Discount Drug Network | 2019 06 |
| Phoenix | Walgreens | Corner of Tatum and Greenway | 12 LRS | 30.58 | GoodRX | 2016 09 |
| Tucson | Costco | Grant Road | 12 LRS | 35.00 | 2017 09 | |
| Scottsdale | Walgreens | 64th St and Greenway | 12 LRS | 30.58 | GoodRX | 2016 03 |
CALIFORNIA
| Location | Pharmacy | Address | Purchase (1000ml bags) | Price US$ | Discount Card | Date |
| Oakland | PetVet Petfood | 1 LRS | 8.95 | Script apparently not required | 2017 11 | |
| 14 LRS | 99.95 | |||||
| El Cerrito | ||||||
| Huntington Beach | Costco | 12 LRS | 30.37 | Simple Savings | 2018 01 | |
| Los Angeles | Costco | 12 LRS | 46.00 | 2019 01 | ||
| Los Angeles | Costco | 12 LRS | 30.37 | Simple Savings | 2018 06 | |
| Marina del Rey | Costco | 12 LRS | 30.37 | RefillWise Card | 2018 11 | |
| Los Angeles | Peticub | 1804 S La Cienega Blvd CA 90035 | 1 LRS | 9.95 | 2017 11 | |
| Los Angeles | Costco | 8810 Tampa Ave, Northridge, CA 91324 | 12 LRS | 43.00 | AAA Card | 2017 09 |
| Los Angeles | Walgreens | 20901 Devonshire St, Chatsworth | 12 LRS | 30.83 | AAA Card | 2017 09 |
| Los Angeles | Costco | 12 LRS | 110.00 | 2017 08 | ||
| Napa | Walgreens | 12 LRS | 85.00 | 2017 09 | ||
| Riverside 92509 | Walgreens | 8044 Limonite Ave | 12 DEHP-Free LRS | 30.58 | Simple Savings | 2017 03 |
| Northern LA | Walgreens | 12 LRS | 30.00 | AAA Card | 2016 05 | |
| Northern LA | Walgreens | 12 LRS | 22.50 | AAA card | 2015 02 | |
| San Fernando Valley, LA | Walgreens | 24 LRS | 58.93 | AAA Card | 2016 09 | |
| Southern California | Sav-on Drugs, Albertsons | 14 LRS | 33.00 | Albertson’s own card | 2015 02 | |
| Walgreens | 12 LRS DEHP-free | 33.26 | GoodRX | 2016 03 | ||
| Pacifica | Walgreens | 12 LRS | 32.00 | GoodRX | 2016 05 | |
| Berkeley | Costco | 14 LRS | 56.29 | 2015 06 | ||
| Santa Monica | Rite Aid | 1 LRS | 11.00 | 2015 01 | ||
| Northridge | Costco | 12 LRS | 43.00 | 2016 07 |
DELAWARE
| Location | Pharmacy | Address | Purchase | Price US$ | Discount Card | Date |
| Walgreens | 12 LRS | 29.82 | Pet Drug Card | 2019 01 | ||
| Walgreens | 12 LRS | 33.60 | Your Pharmacy | 2016 07 |
FLORIDA
| Location | Pharmacy | Address | Purchase | Price US$ | Discount Card | Date |
| Cooper City | Walgreens | NW corner of Pine Island and Stirling | 12 LRS DEHP-free | 34.90 | AAA card | 2014 10 |
| Central Florida | Walgreens | 12 LRS | 23.00 | 2015 08 | ||
| Miami | Walgreens | NW corner of Sunset Drive and SW 157th Ave | 12 LRS | 71.71 | AAA Card | 2016 10 |
| Miami | Walgreens | NW corner of Sunset Drive and SW 157th Ave | 12 Normosol-R | 72.00 | Prescription Savings Club | 2016 05 |
GEORGIA
| Location | Pharmacy | Address | Purchase | Price US$ | Discount Card | Date |
| Warner Robins | Kroger | 12 LRS | 68.52 | ScriptSave Well Rx | 2019 01 |
HAWAII
| Location | Pharmacy | Address | Purchase | Price US$ | Discount Card | Date |
| Costco | 12 LRS | 20.00 | 2019 07 |
ILLINOIS
| Location | Pharmacy | Address | Purchase | Price US$ | Discount Card | Date |
| Aurora | Walgreens | 12 LRS | 37.68 | Prescriptions Saving Club | 2014 12 | |
| Chicago | Costco | 12 LRS DEHP-free | 44.00 | 2015 07 | ||
| North Riverside | Costco | 2500 South Harlem Ave North Riverside, IL 60546-1415 | 24 LRS | 127.00 | 2017 05 | |
| Westmont | Westmont Pharmacy | 2 N Cass Ave, Westmont, IL 60559 | 12 LRS | 80.00 | 2017 05 |
LOUISIANA
| Location | Pharmacy | Address | Purchase | Price US$ | Discount Card | Date |
| Covington | Walgreens | 1203 Business 190, Covington, Louisiana, 70433 | 12 LRS | 70.45 | Prescriptions Saving Club | 2017 07 |
MAINE
| Location | Pharmacy | Address | Purchase | Price US$ | Discount Card | Date |
| Portland | Walgreens | 340 Allen Ave, Portland 207-878-0530 | 12 LRS | 33.60 | GoodRX | 2019 01 |
MARYLAND
| Location | Pharmacy | Address | Purchase | Price US$ | Discount Card | Date |
| Baltimore | Costco | 12 LRS | 88.00 | Costco Member | 2016 07 |
MASSACHUSETTS
| Location | Pharmacy | Address | Purchase | Price US$ | Discount Card | Date |
| Wal-Mart | 12 LRS | 46.00 | Pet Medication | 2015 01 | ||
| Deadham | Costco | 12 LRS | 39.00 | 2016 05 |
NEW JERSEY
| Location | Pharmacy | Address | Purchase | Price US$ | Discount Card | Date |
| Wayne | Wayne Pharmacy | 1055 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne NJ 07470 973-696-6667 | 12 LRS | 44.95 | 2016 05 |
NEW YORK
| Location | Pharmacy | Address | Purchase | Price US$ | Discount Card | Date |
| Brooklyn | Costco | Redhook | 4 LRS | 26.00 | 2015 03 | |
| Poughkeepsie | Walgreens | 12 LRS | 15.00 | 2015 02 | ||
| Walgreens | 12 LRS DEHP-free | 34.00 | 2016 03 |
NORTH CAROLINA
| Location | Pharmacy | Address | Purchase | Price US$ | Discount Card | Date |
| Charlotte | Walgreens | Charlotte | 33.60 | Simple Savings | 2018 05 | |
| Charlotte | Costco | 500 Tyvola Road, Charlotte 28217 | 30.37 | Simple Savings | 2018 05 | |
| Raleigh | Walgreens | 9650 Strickland Road, Raleigh, NC 27615 | 12 LRS DEHP-free | 21.96 | RxSaver | 2019 05 |
| Raleigh | Walgreens | 9650 Strickland Road, Raleigh, NC 27615 | 12 LRS DEHP-free | 29.70 | GoodRX | 2017 06 |
| Raleigh | Walgreens | 12 LRS DEHP-free | 33.60 | Simple Savings | 2016 08 | |
| Raleigh | Walgreens | 12 LRS DEHP-free | 30.60 | Simple Savings | 2016 03 |
PENNSYLVANIA
| Location | Pharmacy | Address | Purchase | Price US$ | Discount Card | Date |
| Wexford | Allegheny Health Network | Wexford Pavilion Pharmacy Wexford PA 15090 | 12 LRS | 34.67 | Simple Savings | 2018 06 |
| Cranberry Twp | Costco | Cranberry Twp. PA 16066 | 12 LRS | 34.67 | Simple Savings | 2018 06 |
| North Versailles | K-Mart | 12 LRS | 37.00 | 2017 10 |
TEXAS
| Location | Pharmacy | Address | Purchase | Price US$ | Discount Card | Date |
| Austin | Walgreens | 12 LRS | 33.60 | Your Pharmacy | 2017 07 |
VIRGINIA
| Location | Pharmacy | Address | Item | Price US$ | Discount Card | Date |
| Hampton | Walgreens | Corner of Armistead Ave & Mercury Blvd | 12 LRS | 33.60 | Your Pharmacy | 2016 09 |
| Walgreens | 14 LRS | 46.20 | Can’t remember | 2015 09 |
WASHINGTON STATE
| Location | Pharmacy | Address | Purchase | Price US$ | Discount Card | Date |
| Redmond | Costco | 12 LRS | 38.00 | 2017 05 | ||
| Seattle | Walgreens | 9 LRS | 34.70 | Your Pharmacy | 2015 06 |
Medications and Other Supplies
- Phosphorus Binders — for phosphorus binders.
- Holistic Treatments — for holistic supplies such as slippery elm bark.
- Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents — for Aranesp, Eprex or NeoRecormon.
- Appetite Loss, Nausea and Vomiting — for treatments for vomiting and nausea, such as ondansetron or famotidine.
- Medicating Your Cat — for items to help make pilling less stressful for you both, such as Pill Pockets and gelcaps.
- Obtaining Supplies at Reasonable Prices: USA Online — for purchasing sub-Q fluids online.
This page last updated: 26 September 2025
Links on this page last checked: 06 September 2020