Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Yikes! Thanks for the scoop and let us know what you find out.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi. I know it is way cheaper in Canada, so I looking into online pharmacy options where I saw it for $425 for 60 pills. I checked with one that they do accept veterinarian prescriptions and ship to the US, so if I decide to pursue Auranofin for Griffin, I'll be looking to buy the drug online from Canada.
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
Do you guys know what is the length of the Auranofin treatment where you are? I am just curious as you are talking about buying 60 pills. The treatment the oncologist here recommended is about 2 weeks of treatment (3 pills of 3mg every 3 days so a total of 21 pills). We have chemo on Thursday so I will ask more information.
Hi all,
So here's a bit more information about Auranofin. I think it was not very clear when the oncologist mentioned it the first time. I was under the impression we were doing a course of Auranofin treatment and that it was over after that. But yesterday, he said it was more a longterm thing you continue over time. However, he mentioned that as this is a new treatment they don't know exactly how much better it is to continue it over time versus doing it for a determined length of time. I think we will continue maybe for few more weeks. But it gets very expensive unfortunately, and I don't think it is necessarily cheaper in Canada that in the USA. We paid 250$ CAD for 21 pills (so about 2 weeks worth).
If you have more information on this please share.
Hi Patricia. Thanks for the update! While it is exciting that there may be a new treatment option, it is frustrating not to have more guidance about how the treatment should be structured. In terms of cost, 30 pills in the US would be over $650, so it is definitely cheaper in Canada. When I first learned about Auranofin (also called Ridaura), I checked online pharmacies in Canada and found that the cost runs about $415 (USD) for 60 capsules, so anyone who is thinking about moving forward should definitely check out the online option. I plan to discuss Auranofin with Griffin's oncologist at his next appointment (chemo round #3 is June 12th), so I'll update here if I find out anything new. ~ Stacy
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
Oh wow that does get expensive, thanks for sharing. Yeah Stacey let us know what you find out.
While it is exciting that there may be a new treatment option, it is frustrating not to have more guidance about how the treatment should be structured.
Welcome to the world of pet cancer. Ugh. Seriously though, in vet oncology it seems like of the experimental treatments are like throwing spaghetti on the wall. Throw it up there and see what sticks, then let others know about the recipe that worked. Eventually word gets out but it takes a while. That's why comparative oncology collaborations are so important, so that there can be more structure given to developing promising pet cancer therapies that can then be translated over to human medicine.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
This is so true Jerry. In order to make things move forward, I believe collaboration is the key. I have tried to research this treatment as much as I could but I did not find that much information. Few research papers, but that's it. I found nothing with regards to a more suitable length of treatment.
Hello everyone. We started three year old Grace last Monday 1 June on Auranofin. Three tablets every three days. Each tablet is 3 mgs. Here in Australia it is around $755 for 60 tablets. Yet for a human it is $5.60 if you are on a benefit or $40.00 for everyone else. She is doing well. As far as I know it is for life. She is having six cycles of Carboplatin and started 25 May. Then maybe the Yale vaccine when the six chemo are finished. She will have another CT around 25 July. First one was clear- two little osteomas. Will keep you all posted on Auranofin.
The Auranofin study we are following was conducted at University of Queensland. My oncology vet has been in direct consultation with vets on study. Fingers crossed.
leanneh said
Hello everyone. We started three year old Grace last Monday 1 June on Auranofin.
Hi Leanne and Grace, welcome. Thank you so much for chiming in and sharing your experience with this treatment.
Yet for a human it is $5.60 if you are on a benefit or $40.00 for everyone else.
Woah wait so you're staying that you have to pay $755 for the dog version? Yikes! What about using the human version? Is there a difference?
We are so excited to learn more about it, and look forward to following along. Thanks for sharing!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I don't think there are different versions of the drug for humans and dogs - just that insurance will cover the cost of the drug for humans, thereby greatly reducing the cost. The same is true in the US.
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
Wait...insurance for people that covers drugs? What's that? 😉
Makes sense. Thanks for clarifying.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes here in Australia the Government approves a drug and it puts it on the PBS- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and yes the packets are identical to human. It is the same drug. It is tempting to ask my doctor to write me a script to save money but unethical. But then charging this amount of money is unethical and yes the drug does have gold in it!
Ahhh OK. I agree, the prices for these life saving drugs are completely unjust. It's comforting to know that we in the States aren't the only country dealing with this issue.
I've always joked my dog has better insurance and medical care than I get, but it appears we are both hosed when it comes to drug prices!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks guys for all this information very interesting information! As you find out more information please post it here. I will try to find out the 'human' price here in Canada just out of curiosity.
Thank you Arktik's O, Stacy, & leanneh for providing all this helpful information. I talked to Cop's Oncologist today who thinks Auranofin might be a good option for Copper. She is right on the border for dosing at almost exactly 15kgs - so i'm hopeful maybe she'll be able to get away with just the 2 capsules (6mg) dosing. We shall see and I will update on where I end up purchasing it from (and at what price).
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