Need help locating Lactated Ringers solution

[shiloh]

that doesn’t cost a zillion dollars.

Need to get a case of 1000 ml bags of Lactated Ringers for my kitty that just got out of the hospital for bladder issues. (NOT the one I posted about - it’s his brother with what we originally believed was idiopathic UTI, but now turns out to be metabolic issues ((he isn’t breaking down whatever causes crystals despite being on CD)) and some issue with his bladder that needs to be determined with an ultrasound. cha-ching cha-ching cha-ching…)

I have checked Costco - they only have 250ml bags in case of 24 for $72 - that would last 2 seconds. Everyplace else either doesn’t, can’t or won’t carry the stuff. Walgreen’s can order for almost $100.

Surely there is someone out there that has it and it won’t cost an arm and a leg. I checked Tanya’s CRF website but some of her info is outdated. Beat up internet and got nothing.

Any suggestions - other than start by robbing a bank?

[K_2]

Santa Cruz animal health carries ringers, but requires a prescription (which I don’t understand at all). http://www.scbt.com

[McVillesMom]

I looked around, and it appears that there is currently a shortage/backorder on LRS. Normally you could get it from Valley Vet, KV Vet, or a number of other sources, but right now you might have to take what you can get.

[hoopoe]

will your vet not sell it to you? there is an international shortage of saline and ringers.

normal saline should suffice ( instead of ringers)in a pinch

[Justmyluck]

There is a national shortage of fluids in general. Hospitals get priority so you are going to pay an arm and a leg to procure a case of the stuff.

[mroades]

Yes. nationwide shortage…our local surgical clinic has had to turn away some surgeries due to this.

[SquishTheBunny]

Can you not use pla or nacl instead? If it’s just for sq fluids these are very suitable replacements. Lactate ringers for sq fluids therapy is fairly “old school”…not wrong but there are lots of other alternatives.

[Horsegal984]

Yep you’re going to be paying an arm and a leg.

National shortage has even the clinics paying a ton and it could well get to the point where they may not be able to get fluids at all.

[Chall]

Wholly cow, it didn’t cost anywhere near that amount a couple of years ago.
How the heck do we have a shortage of:

• 130 mEq of sodium ion = 130 mmol/L
• 109 mEq of chloride ion = 109 mmol/L
• 28 mEq of lactate = 28 mmol/L
• 4 mEq of potassium ion = 4 mmol/L
• 3 mEq of calcium ion = 1.5 mmol/L

Is it the ionization, did all the nations ionizers (or whatever)break at once?

I know we have a chemist on Coth, is there a shortage of the main ingredients?

[Simkie]

I use either Normosol-R or lactated ringers for sub q fluids. How does norm-r price out?

[Marshfield]

Ongoing shortage in the U.S. Couldn’t get Norm the other week. Our distributors have been rationing us.

[Justmyluck]

[QUOTE=Simkie;7958656]
I use either Normosol-R or lactated ringers for sub q fluids. How does norm-r price out?[/QUOTE]

There is a nation wide shortage of ALL IV fluids. So you will not be able to find an alternatives at a cheaper price.

[rustbreeches]

Try large animal vets. We frequently use lactated ringers in the dairy industry, and keep a good supply on hand

[Mosey_2003]

How does a shortage like this happen?

[Horsegal984]

My understanding is that there’s been ongoing issues with the manufacturers. I think something about code violations or something to that effect that has basically halted production. Since there is essentially no date on when they can start pushing out fluids again suppliers and distributers are rationing to try and prevent hoarding.

Unfortunately this means 1) having enough extra to sell a whole case is unlikely. And 2) if they do you’re going to pay a lot for it.

We’ve been evaluating a little more closely at which patients really need IV fluids and which can be stopped sooner after routine surgeries or which hospitalized patients can be rehydrated orally. It’s not ideal but we’re concerned about not having fluids for critical patients down the road.

[shiloh]

Ugh - Yeah, I heard there was a shortage but had no idea it had gotten so very bad. Usually I can “snitch” stuff like normal saline from my hospital (anything opened but not used on patient, stuff removed from protective wrapping and now can’t be used on patients, etc etc I can have as it will be tossed - their loss, my gain) but LRS is rarely used and normal saline is too much sodium for him. MY vet will sell to me but at nearly $25 a bag ow ow ow.

I heard awhile back that Hospira, one of nation’s largest mfg had to close several plants for upgrades. Apparently, they never re-opened some - I know they had a plant in Morgan Hill, CA which is near me and that closed.

Will call local large animal vet and see what I can pry out of them. Otherwise - sigh - will have to bite bullet or get creative. Hmmmm…now where is bank closest to freeway…lol

Thanks y’all!

[oliverreed]

Holy crap I had no idea!!! That’s insanely expensive.

[Angela_Freda]

[QUOTE=shiloh;7958234]
that doesn’t cost a zillion dollars.

Need to get a case of 1000 ml bags of Lactated Ringers for my kitty that just got out of the hospital for bladder issues. (NOT the one I posted about - it’s his brother with what we originally believed was idiopathic UTI, but now turns out to be metabolic issues ((he isn’t breaking down whatever causes crystals despite being on CD)) and some issue with his bladder that needs to be determined with an ultrasound. cha-ching cha-ching cha-ching…)

I have checked Costco - they only have 250ml bags in case of 24 for $72 - that would last 2 seconds. Everyplace else either doesn’t, can’t or won’t carry the stuff. Walgreen’s can order for almost $100.

Surely there is someone out there that has it and it won’t cost an arm and a leg. I checked Tanya’s CRF website but some of her info is outdated. Beat up internet and got nothing.

Any suggestions - other than start by robbing a bank?[/QUOTE]

Why would 250 ml be too little? It’s been a long time since I ran fluids, but if you are doing these SQ, ie as a bolus [and maybe I am not understanding what you are doing] how much do you really need/bag?

[SarahKing]

[QUOTE=Angela Freda;7967077]
Why would 250 ml be too little? It’s been a long time since I ran fluids, but if you are doing these SQ, ie as a bolus [and maybe I am not understanding what you are doing] how much do you really need/bag?[/QUOTE]

If she has a pet that needs SQ fluids on a daily basis, Kitty would be getting around 100mL per day (or ever other day), so even a case of 250mL bags wouldn’t last long.

[Marshfield]

I have a case, but had to beg my distributor for it. Since I mostly use it for pets undergoing anesthesia, but seldom have one hospitalized on IV fluids, I am hoping this will hold me until the shortage ends.