We are new to the dog diabetes world and were wondering who has the best price on Humulin N and any food recommendations? Our boxer mix was just diagnosed and she is a super picky eater. We also just paid 83.00 for her insulin at costco $ 83.00 she gets 14 units twice a day. We are hoping to find a less expensive source and a health pet food she will actually eat. She will not touch W/D.. Any suggestions....
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Best price Humulin N 100/Best Foods
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Re: Best price Humulin N 100/Best Foods
Welcome to the forum! Tell us about your pup, especially his weight and any other medical conditions he might have.
Many here are using Novolin-N from Walmart. They sell their ReliOn branded Novolin-N for $24.88. Other supplies are also usually less expensive there also. Novolin-N is similar to Humulin-N.Annie was an 18 pound Lhasa Apso that crossed the rainbow bridge on 10-5-17. She was nearly 17 years old and diabetic for 9½ years.
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Re: Best price Humulin N 100/Best Foods
Hi and welcome from another newby. I'm sure somebody will be along soon who actually knows what they're talking about. All I know is that my Munchie's Rx was for NPH (either Novolin N or Humulin N) and I had it filled at WalMart. They gave me a 10 ml bottle of Novolin N and a box of 100 syringes and the total came to $37.46. $24.88 for insulin and $12.58 for syringes. Maybe the price is different for Humulin N but I know I've seen others using it here and I'm sure they'll verify for you. You might want to call your local WalMart and check it out. I have other prescriptions filled for Munch at Costco and noticed that they always charge me tax because he's a dog but WalMart did not. Think I'll be switching his other prescriptions to WalMart.
Can't offer anything helpful about food as I do home cooked diet for my guy.
LouiseMunchie, 11 yr. old Mini-Schnauzer, 23.2 lbs., diabetes 10/24/12. 8 units Novolin N 2xdaily.
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Re: Best price Humulin N 100/Best Foods
Humulin N was the preferred NPH for a while. It was easy to get cheaply at Walmart because they sold it as a house brand, Relion. Recently, Relion switched from humulin to novolin, which is also an NPH insulin and shouldn't be much different. I'm about to make the switch myself this week. So, instead of humulin get novolin at Walmart.Zoe: 12 yr old Black Lab/shepherd mix. Diagnosed 6/1/11. Currently on 15 units Novolin NPH 2x day, and hopefully as close to regulated as possible. Feeding merrick Grain Free Salmon and Sweet Potato. Weight 63lbs.
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Re: Best price Humulin N 100/Best Foods
Thank you all for suggestions - I will check out the price at walmart.
Here is the scoop on our dog - Sia is a boxer mix and is weighing only about 62lbs now. She diagnosed about two weeks ago. She spent the first week at the EC and we have had her home for about a week. She is an incredibly picky eater and our biggest challenge since bringing her home from the EC is getting her to eat enough so we can give her insulin - We started at 14 units twice a day but the vet had us back off to 10 units because she wasn't eating enough but now it seems like she is eating even less. I purchased some of the merrek grain free dry and wet food but she hasn't been that crazy about either one of them.
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Re: Best price Humulin N 100/Best Foods
I feel for you with having a picky eater. A fair amount of folks here have to deal with that and they can offer some advice. I think having a finicky eater the most important thing is having a food that they will consistently eat. If there is a food that Sia will eat I would keep her on that until you have the insulin up and runnig and know better her ideal dose. Then if the diet needs to be tweak or she goes off her food you will have a better foundation to work from.
There are many other adjustments you can do down the road, even going so far as feeding only once a day. I made the switch to this approach a few months ago for other reasons and it has improved things greatly for us.
Other then that most folks find that if the dog doesn't eat or eats less the doses can be changed accordingly:
1/2 meal- 1/2 dose
1/4 meal- 1/4 dose
no meal- 1/4 dose
These guidelines are a little trickier in your case because you don't yet know what her optimal insulin dose is.
My girl gets 3 units NPH in the evening with food and 1 unit in the morning without food.
Has anyone mentioned home blood testing. Many folks here do it and we can get you started if your interested. I can't imagine not testing anymore, especially with a finicky eater.
Welcome! TaraTara in honor of Ruby.
She was a courageous Boston Terrier who marched right on through diabetes, megaesophagus, and EPI until 14.
Lucky for both of us we found each other. I'd do it all again girly.
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Re: Best price Humulin N 100/Best Foods
Eating seems to be a problem several of the pups have. As Tara mentioned, it's probably more important to find a food Sia will eat, than necessarily the "best" food.
Some have come up with ways to make the food more appealing to them. I think some have luck mixing a small amount of grated cheese (would think low fat would be best). Others have used a spoonful of caned tuna fish (tuna packed in water, not packed in oil), maybe even just a bit of the water from the caned tuna fish would work (then make yourself a tasty tuna fish sandwich / salad for lunch). Some have enticed their pups with a very small amount of caned cat food mixed into their dog food! My Annie isn't a picky eater, but I moisten her dry kibble with a couple tablespoons of warm water; guess it released some smell she likes!
A possible non diabetic cause for eating problems could be teeth problems. A dental check might be a good idea.
Another thought about meals, once Sia starts to eat better, is to weigh her food. Many of us use kitchen food scales to be sure our pups are getting exactly the same amount of food each meal. Consistency is very important: same amount of food, insulin, time of meals, exercise can all affect the blood glucose (BG). Of course, avoid between meal snacks / treats (anything that enters the body could affect her BGs) If a treat has(?) to be given, then something like a green bean, small piece of broccoli / cauliflower wouldn't cause as much trouble as a commercial dog treat.
By the way, if you would like to change the title of your thread, just let us know what you would like, and one of the moderators can change it for you.Annie was an 18 pound Lhasa Apso that crossed the rainbow bridge on 10-5-17. She was nearly 17 years old and diabetic for 9½ years.
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Re: Best price Humulin N 100/Best Foods
Ask your vet if there's any possibility of pancreatitis, which can accompany an initial diagnosis. That can cause eating problems, too.
But, as for food - my opinion - is that it just doesn't mater what they eat, as long as they eat. So, I echo what Ruby said - keep on with the food you've been feeding your dog, and worry most about the insulin dose. If the food needs to be changed or amended, do that after you've gotten closer to a dose of insulin that works for you dog.
Also, have you considered home testing? It's liberating.Zoe: 12 yr old Black Lab/shepherd mix. Diagnosed 6/1/11. Currently on 15 units Novolin NPH 2x day, and hopefully as close to regulated as possible. Feeding merrick Grain Free Salmon and Sweet Potato. Weight 63lbs.
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Re: Best price Humulin N 100/Best Foods
I need to change to the testing topic --
We just got our Alphatrak II today and I have tried the ear and paw without much luck. She has very dark ears so it is difficult to see the veins in her ears. I am concerned I am going to hurt her - I saw a thread about using a wart or elbow callas - so do I use the deep setting on the lancet to draw from these places? Any advice?
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Re: Best price Humulin N 100/Best Foods
Originally posted by AustinDog View PostI need to change to the testing topic --
We just got our Alphatrak II today and I have tried the ear and paw without much luck. She has very dark ears so it is difficult to see the veins in her ears. I am concerned I am going to hurt her - I saw a thread about using a wart or elbow callas - so do I use the deep setting on the lancet to draw from these places? Any advice?
We've always tested on the ear, but many say the inner lip is easy and pretty much pain free. Did you get the DVD with the AlphaTrak? It shows various testing locations / techniques. I'm currently using the lancet tool (clicker) on the deepest setting (4). Another thought is the thickness of the lancet. I believe the AlphaTrak lancets are 28 gauge thick and many replace these with the thicker 26, or 25 gauge lancets. I use 25 gauge that I've ordered from the Internet because none of the local store carried them. Keep at it, it does get easier!Annie was an 18 pound Lhasa Apso that crossed the rainbow bridge on 10-5-17. She was nearly 17 years old and diabetic for 9½ years.
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Re: Best price Humulin N 100/Best Foods
And just to show variety, I will add that I don't use a lancing device. I hand poke, and I use the carpal pad, which works best for my dog.
So, there are lots of ways that it can me done.Zoe: 12 yr old Black Lab/shepherd mix. Diagnosed 6/1/11. Currently on 15 units Novolin NPH 2x day, and hopefully as close to regulated as possible. Feeding merrick Grain Free Salmon and Sweet Potato. Weight 63lbs.
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Re: Best price Humulin N 100/Best Foods
Hi and a belated welcome to you and Sia! How are things going for you? Any luck with the testing or the food? I have a picky eater so know a bit about that! Let us know how you are! Hugs!Shell and Hank (aka Mr. Pickypants) - now deceased (4/29/1999 - 12/4/2015) Cairn Terrier mix who was diagnosed 8/18/2011 and on .75 U Levemir 2Xday. Miss you little man!
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