Cat arthritis and solensia

GasPants

My cat (aged 11) has just been diagnosed with arthritis. The vet has been suggesting that he goes on solensia - they seem to be pushing this drug.
It seems very expensive - I estimate it would come out at about £150 per month for the drug & injection. I do have lifetime insurance cover. I wonder if anyone has experience of solensia, cost, and claiming some of the cost on insurance.

Brie

Don't know about solensia but our cats (sisters) both had metacam for a couple of years. It's a liquid you either pop into the cat's mouth or put on their food.  Must be pleasant enough as I've never seen a cat complain about it - I used to look after a friend's cat that was on it as well and he (the cat) would come running to get his dose.

Others I know have recommended Youmove joint supplement but I'm not convinced it was worth the money.  No insurance so I can't say how that works.  

TripleH

Think we gave our late queen's youmoveand she was on metacam.

She had her rare bad days when (I think) due to a change in air pressure she would hide under the bed. She did loose quite a bit of weight which helped (we went from a flat to 3 storey houses) which seemed to help.

It also might be having 3 younger cats around she was 17, the others 7,6,2 but despite her arthritis she seemed in good health and reasonably active (especially compared to other cats around her age).

GasPants

Thanks for the responses. At the moment he is taking Metacam. This all came about because he suffered a traumatic fall from a window - 2 storey height. An X-ray revealed arthritis. I think arthritis contributed to the fall and has now been aggravated by the fall. 

Poor guy is walking about like Jake the Peg. The Metacam is easy to give. The vet gave a couple of days worth of Gabapentin. This was a nightmare to give. He is a very wilful & delinquent puss.

SecondStar

Solensia has changed our 10 year old cat’s life. She’s gone from hobbling and reluctant to jump up or down even a foot, to running, playing like a kitten, dashing up and down the stairs, and hopping on and off the bed again. She’s so comfortable now, and so, so happy.

We pay about £80, in Northern Ireland.

vic_sf49

I ordered some online this week, and with delivery, is about £90 for 2 vials (so two months worth).

That needs a prescription from the vets at about £26, but that will cover 6 months.

My vet charges £11.70 for the injection, although they offered to show me how if I wanted to do it myself.

So what's that add up to...a smidge over £60 / month.

My cat isn't insured, so I can't answer help with that aspect.

Cat_Crazy

My cat has been on Solensia for a year now. She's 16 and half and it makes a very positive difference to her mobility from arthritis. She is insured and I purchase the Solensia online which halves the price I'd pay at the vet. The net monthly cost by the time the insurance have paid up, and they are very quick, is £22.10. Well worth it.