The Costs and Risks of Using Walmart Insulin for Diabetic Dogs

The Rising Cost of Insulin for Diabetic Dogs

As the number of dogs being diagnosed with diabetes continues to increase, so does the financial burden on pet owners who need to provide insulin for their diabetic dogs. Insulin is an essential medication for diabetic dogs, allowing them to regulate their blood sugar levels. However, the skyrocketing cost of insulin has made affording this life-saving medication difficult for many pet owners.

The Importance of Insulin for Diabetic Dogs

Diabetes is one of the most common endocrine disorders diagnosed in dogs. It occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively utilize the insulin that is produced. Without insulin to help transport glucose from the bloodstream into the cells, diabetic dogs struggle to regulate their blood sugar levels.

Providing a consistent source of insulin is crucial for managing diabetes in dogs. Along with diet and exercise modifications, insulin helps stabilize blood glucose levels and prevent life-threatening complications like ketoacidosis. That’s why having access to affordable insulin options is so important for caretakers of diabetic dogs.

The Rising Costs of Veterinary Insulin

Over the last two decades, the cost of insulin for humans has more than tripled in the United States. During the same time period, the price of veterinary insulin has also been on the rise. Common forms of injectable insulin that veterinarians prescribe for dogs cost $100 or more per vial.

For owners of diabetic dogs, providing veterinary insulin can quickly become financially unsustainable. A 40-pound diabetic dog may require two vials of insulin per month, amounting to over $200. For larger breeds, the monthly costs can be even higher. That’s a steep price tag for medication that is essential for managing this chronic disease.

Human Insulin from Walmart as an Alternative

To lower the costs of insulin for their diabetic dogs, many pet owners have turned to purchasing human insulin from Walmart pharmacies. Walmart offers older forms of human insulin under its ReliOn brand. While a vial of branded insulin costs over $100 from a vet, ReliOn insulin costs only $24.99 per vial at Walmart.

For pet owners struggling financially, Walmart’s affordable insulin seems like an ideal solution. However, there are some important risks and drawbacks to consider before switching your diabetic dog to human insulin from Walmart.

Potential Issues with Giving Dogs Human Insulin

Using human insulin from Walmart to manage your diabetic dog’s condition may help lower your monthly costs substantially. However, there are a few reasons why veterinary insulin is still the recommended choice over human insulin for diabetic canines.

Difficulty Achieving Stable Regulation

The older forms of human insulin sold at Walmart peak faster than veterinary insulin made specifically for dogs. As a result, administering Walmart insulin typically requires feeding a diabetic dog right before each insulin injection to avoid blood sugar crashes.

According to veterinary professionals, maintaining stable regulation of blood sugar levels is more challenging with rapid-acting human insulin compared to the longer-acting veterinary versions. Even with carefully timed feedings, crashes or spikes in blood glucose levels can still occur.

Increased Risk of Complications

Unstable blood sugar regulation leaves diabetic dogs vulnerable to dangerously low or high glucose levels. This increases their risk for urgent complications like hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis, and diabetic coma.

Catching these blood sugar fluctuations in time requires pet owners to monitor glucose curves. This involves pricking your dog’s paw to collect small blood samples every 1-2 hours to measure changes in blood sugar concentrations. For owners with demanding work schedules or limited mobility, completing glucose curves may not be feasible.

Less Veterinary Guidance with Dosing

Every diabetic dog requires individualized insulin doses based on factors like their weight, fitness level, metabolism, diet, and more. Veterinarians help pet owners determine appropriate starting doses and make adjustments over time to keep blood sugar controlled.

Without veterinary guidance, pet owners may struggle to dose Walmart insulin properly. Minor dosing miscalculations can contribute to the blood sugar instability and complications mentioned previously.

Key Considerations Before Using Walmart Insulin

Switching your diabetic dog from veterinary insulin to affordable Walmart insulin could save you hundreds of dollars each year. However, pet owners should carefully weigh out the potential downsides before making this change.

Have Realistic Expectations

It may be impossible to achieve the same level of steady blood sugar regulation using human insulin compared to veterinary insulin. Be prepared to deal with more glucose curve tests, insulin adjustments, and trips to the emergency vet.

Enlist Your Vet’s Input

Discuss the switch with your veterinarian first about whether they recommend using ReliOn insulin for your diabetic dog. They can guide you on realistic dosing, what to monitor carefully, and warning signs requiring immediate veterinary intervention.

Purchase a Glucose Meter

To catch dangerous blood sugar crashes or spikes early, having a glucose meter to test levels at home is essential. Glucose meters allow tracking of trends to guide treatment decisions without visiting the vet.

Commit to Glucose Testing

Closely monitor your diabetic dog through serial glucose curves initially with the new insulin, then before adjusting doses. This helps ensure their blood sugar levels are remaining stable within a safe range.

Is ReliOn Insulin Worth Potential Risks?

For pet owners struggling to afford increasing veterinary insulin costs, switching to affordable ReliOn insulin may significantly reduce financial stress. However, this switch also introduces new monitoring and treatment burdens for caretakers of diabetic dogs.

Knowing the potential trade-offs involved can guide pet owners’ decision making when evaluating if transitioning their dog to human insulin from Walmart is the right choice for their situation.

With realistic expectations about blood sugar control challenges, vigilant at-home glucose testing, and guidance from your veterinarian, using ReliOn insulin could allow some diabetic dogs to continue receiving this essential, lifesaving medication.

FAQs

Why is insulin so expensive for diabetic dogs?

The cost of veterinary insulin has risen sharply over the last 20 years, mirroring increases in human insulin prices. Specialized forms of injectable insulin for managing diabetes in dogs now cost over $100 per vial.

Is Walmart insulin safe for my diabetic dog?

Walmart sells older forms of human insulin under its ReliOn brand for only $24.99 per vial. However, the rapid action of this insulin makes stable blood sugar regulation more difficult in dogs, increasing their risk for complications.

How should I monitor my dog on Walmart insulin?

Frequently test your diabetic dog's blood sugar with a glucose meter to catch dangerous highs and lows early. Serial glucose curves are essential initially and with every insulin dose adjustment. Consult your vet for direction.

When should I take my dog to emergency vet on Walmart insulin?

Seek immediate veterinary care if your diabetic dog shows signs of low or high blood sugar like weakness, collapse, seizures or loss of appetite. Catching complications early can prevent progression to coma or ketoacidosis.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.