Requesting a check of LB's SS re Vets visit

We are due to see the Vet next monday. I sent the Vet the Spread Sheet - he was a bit bewildered. (worried that we were engaging in animal cruelty I suspect). He said to bring LB in on Monday. 3 weeks post dx. He will do a fructosamine test. We are not interested in spending money on unnecessary tests. Is there a 3 week post dx blood test that we should be having done. Is there any point in even visiting the vet? Rather spend the money on FDMB equipment like an over night feeder, more detailed syringes etc. Do we go? What test would be worth doing, if any? (spread sheet can be seen by clicking on Little Boy under my posts)

thanx Marilyn

A lot of vets think we test too much. My vet told me I didn't need to test as much as I do. I explained when my cat can talk to me and tell me that her BG is too low, I'll stop testing!!!

My vet did, however, agree, that a fructosamine test isn't necessary since I have good test data. The purpose of a fructosamine test is to give you an average BG over a 1 - 3 week period. You have data from your own tests that will give you that information. You really don't need a fructosamine test from the vet any more than you need the vet to do a curve. I don't think there is any definitive test that you need at this point unless you suspect that LB has something else going on that's influencing his health.

My vet tested her diabetic cat a couple of times a week, or when the cat seemed to not be feeling well. So she thought testing Little Gray three or four times a day was bit much. He probably agreed. Since you don't need a fructosamine test, I'm not sure the vet visit is needed either. I'm feeling very frugal and stingy about vets these days since most of them turn out to be not very helpful. If LB seems to be doing well, I'd probably cancel the appointment and save the money for insulin and test strips.

Once we started home testing, my vet didn't feel the need to see Smokey. I dropped a spreadsheet off for her to look at every week or two and called just their office when I needed a new script. A fructosamine test will be nothing but verifying the accuracy of your meter.

I'd worry more if your BG numbers suddenly changed (Kasha's suddenly started going sky-high at one point and she ended up having a UTI and kidney infection) or if you notice something else that concerns you. The people here generally know more about diabetes than most vets, so I'm comfortable skipping vet visits for diabetes-related issues. My vet knows I'm following a different protocol than she is used to, but she actually figures that since I'm testing Kasha at home, I'm probably ok on my own. Plus, I think she knows I'm going to do my own thing anyway! ;-)

If you want to pacify your vet somewhat, you could print out the protocol and go in for a visit. Decline the fructosimine and spend a few minutes explaining the ss and why you test the way you do. Explain how much better LB has been doing and that you are very happy with the results since you began and would like to continue. You can give him the URL for FDMB and the main site so he can do his own reading if he'd like. Be very nice, but be firm. Tell them how many cats have gone OTJ using the protocol and how well so many of them are doing overall with the low carb diets we feed and that this is your goal unless LB tells you otherwise. Usually, once vets realize you really do know your stuff and they see the positive results... they fall into line