Solensia Opinions?

[NeverDropYourMooncup]

Right, so since Old Madame Fluffyknickers isn't at Death's Catflap after all (not that she'd ever be so foolhardy to trust putting her head through one of those monstrosities), the vet called today to go through some options.

Apart from dental and a buzz cut because she's stopped self grooming and tolerating me doing it, they've suggested she tries Solensia for a month in case she's got a touch of arthritis. The manufacturer is apparently offering the first dose free.

Can anybody give me their opinions as to whether it is significantly more effective than other options, such as a painkiller+steroid? A ballpark figure for cost would also be useful, as we were declined insurance for her once she hit 12, never mind the 20-21ish that she is now. I'm guessing, going by the NHS list price of my biologics, that it's not going to be pretty.

She's apparently in very good nick other than this and needing to put some weight on.

I've also taken the lid off one of the litter trays and she's preferred to use that today, so it's possible she's not keen on ducking inside anymore (or she's now included any enclosed area as a sign of imminent doom as per the catflap or the tray doors I have always had to remove for her).

I have a feeling that chucking money at her was always going to be the inevitable outcome either way, but I think I could do with at least a bit of forewarning to avoid passing out in shock.

My parents cat has it. I noticed a marker improvement in him since starting it. I'd she's ok with vet trips, I'd probably give it a go.

Very effective.
No side effects of note ( possible injection site reaction is all) unlike nsaids or other painkillers.
My old girl went from limping to jumping onto the wardrobe top from a chest of drawers ( something she hadn’t done for over a year) within 24 hours of her first solensia injection. It was miraculous. I had thought would perhaps see some improvement after a few days but this was shocking. No placebo affect with animals obviously so clearly it made my girl feel much better.
She had stage 2 kidney disease as well as arthritis and this medicine was still safe for her.
Cost £78 a month if vet gave the injection but as I had previously had diabetic cats and am a retired nurse my vet let me inject at home to save my girl the stress of a trip to the practice. Cost was then £58 plus prescription fee of £18 which covered for six months.

Here she is on her favourite nap spot thanks to Solensia

It's excellent stuff. Luckily ours is covered by insurance as it's for our 7.5kg maine coon and he needs 2 vials a month. We (or our insurance) pay £200 a month for the double dose, but we haven't bothered sourcing it directly for cheaper. We also inject at home and don't have a medical background, we just had a quick training session with the vet.

Thank you! I've been injecting subcut medications myself for several years, so that could be an option once she puts on a bit of weight if it works for her - she doesn't have the padding I do at present and she is extremely fluffy (hence the planned buzz cut).

Guess I'd better clear off the clutter from the chest of drawers in case she decides she fancies a return to her hiding place on the top of the wardrobe...

My old cat has recently had his first dose of Solensia (free offer). He's 19 and has arthritis in his back legs. I haven't seen much of an improvement unfortunately, not enough to make me think it's worth it at the moment. He had it just under 3 weeks ago. I will have a second one as I have read this is when it kicks in. My vet charges £123 for it!

My 11 maine coon is due her 3rd one this week : she has arthritis in her spine and under developed back legs from being a breeding queen in the past.

so fat partner and I take turns to pay, it’s like £120 but includes £30 for the injection fee. I asked the vets to put an insurance claim in for the previous two but they haven’t so far. Insurance couldn’t tell me when i rang them if they’d cover it or not until I claim 🙄

we can’t really afford to be paying it so I hope they do!

It's been brilliant for my 17 year old cat. He was finding the stairs difficult, stopping a lot and not sleeping in his usual places. Now the day after the injection he's straight up and down the stairs and he's gone back to his high cat tree.

I get it done at the surgery so he can have a check up as he has another chronic health problem. We claim on insurance once a year.

My cat is nearly 15. She's had one dose and is booked in for her next this week. Definitely noticed an improvement after just one dose.

Our 20 year old cat has it monthly after struggling with an unknown leg injury a year ago. She’s doing well on it - is an indoor cat now but jumps up and down the furniture and races around.

It did5make any obvious difference to our 16 year old (quite fat) cat, but we kept it going in case it was relieving any pain.

Our two 11 y.o. boys have had it.

The first one had an excellent response and he gets it monthly. It costs £67. Animal Friends insurance pay £43 towards it.

The other cat showed no improvement at all after three months, so we stopped it.