Good vet visit for Frankie

[Sue484]

I took Frankie to the vets today, partly because of their legal requirement to be seen to be "treating" them, partly because his numbers have been off lately. I saw a new vet in the practice and I think I love him!!!!! We started off having a chat about his general health and how I treat him and he gave me the spiel about now as long as clinical signs are good then they don't worry. I bristled a bit and said Frankie was regulated well until a prawn cracker raid and he never got back in the swing of things. I showed him my spreadsheet and started saying about what could cause increases, infections, stress etc and his eyes lit up. He was genuinely impressed with the spreadsheet and said he could tell just by my talking to him that I am really knowledgeable about diabetes, which chuffed me no end. He said that the spreadsheet was so good that all I needed was a column for weight and then I would hardly need to bring him again as everything needed is on there. He placed both Rom and Frank's spreadsheets in the permanent notes on their files so it is the very first thing they see when they log on to their notes. He said he was unwilling to jeopardise anything with Frankie regarding tests etc but told me about some strips you can get from the chemist called Multistix made by Siemens. They are used by humans and measure glucose, ketones, blood and protein in the urine as well as other stuff cats don't need worry about. I will try them out and take him back if blood is found in his urine, but other than that he said he was the best looking diabetic cat all round he had seen!!! Then, he said although he would worry about hypoglycaemia with numbers under 5 (on AT) he saw that I had a good understanding of handling any lows and he said most people never achieve that sort of regulation. He admitted that it was probably to do with the cascade system and the rules of animal medicines first and the lack of home testing and the fructosamine tests, which only give basic information but he said my data is far superior. Then we talked about Rom as I had ordered another bottle of ProZinc but he came out and said if I wanted to change to Lantus he would most definitely support that. He needs to consult the RVC for a starting dose and will see the partners about refunding my ProZinc needles and we should be good to go!!! I just hope he doesn't get overruled on the Lantus issue. I will find out Monday.

 

[Critter Mom]

Hi Sue,

Great update!

I saw a new vet in the practice and I think I love him!!!!!

After reading about your uber-positive consult with him I think I want to have his babies!

told me about some strips you can get from the chemist called Multistix made by Siemens. They are used by humans and measure glucose, ketones, blood and protein in the urine as well as other stuff cats don't need worry about.

I use them - Multistix 10SG - cheaper on ebay or Amazon than from a chemist.

he saw that I had a good understanding of handling any lows and he said most people never achieve that sort of regulation. He admitted that it was probably to do with the cascade system and the rules of animal medicines first and the lack of home testing and the fructosamine tests, which only give basic information but he said my data is far superior. Then we talked about Rom [...] he came out and said if I wanted to change to Lantus he would most definitely support that.

Amen, brother! Fingers and paws crossed ...

He needs to consult the RVC for a starting dose

Great idea; Ruth at the RVC was really helpful when I was seeking a Lantus Rx for Saoirse. After we spoke she had a chat with our own main vet and she could not have been more helpful.

I showed him my spreadsheet and started saying about what could cause increases, infections, stress etc and his eyes lit up. He was genuinely impressed with the spreadsheet and said he could tell just by my talking to him that I am really knowledgeable about diabetes, which chuffed me no end.

You are very knowledgeable, Sue, and you should be very chuffed indeed. You're a terrific kitty mama; it is no surprise to me that Rom is the best-looking sugar cat your shiny new vet has ever seen.


Mogs
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[Olive & Paula]

Very nice report. Sounds like you converted his thinking and that pet parents can help manage this disease.

 

[Sue484]

it is no surprise to me that Rom is the best-looking sugar cat your shiny new vet has ever seen.

It was actually Frankie he was talking about with a stable weight and as well regulated as he was. But thanks for saying that @Critter Mom. Rom he hasn't seen yet, he will probably think he is the Beast of Bodmin. Most people do, he is such a big cat, and I mean big boned not just fat (although he may be a tad )

He gave me a tip about the Multistix. He said he used to work for a charity where money was tight, so they used to cut the strips vertically to make two! I'd never have thought of doing that.

He also asked about my Lantus and said that it must be old now as I haven't had any for ages. I said it's only 3 months old and I don't get it from the vet. He asked where I got it from and I said abroad and explained the price difference and he said and I quote "I don't blame you, I'd do the same if it were me"

He also queried how I knew it was ok to use past 28 days. I explained you keep it in the fridge it can last 6 months and he seemed shocked. I told him that the companies only had to test for 28 days as it was a human product. He said that I had taught him something that day.

I feel like I'm rabbiting on too much about him, but this vet visit today has really given me confidence in them again.

Oh and thanks for the tip about getting the Multistix from Amazon or Ebay. I already looked there but our chemists only open half day on Saturday so couldn't compare prices.

 

[Critter Mom]

It was actually Frankie he was talking about

Mea maxima culpa, Sue!

The last few months have been (understandably) very, very rough; the CFS is at epic levels and my already bad concentration problems are even worse lately.


Mogs
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[Critter Mom]

I feel like I'm rabbiting on too much about him,

I don't blame you, Sue; just wish there were more like him.


Mogs
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[Sue484]

The last few months have been (understandably) very, very rough

Mogs, you are a marvel to still worry about everyone else while still grieving and coping with your own struggles. I'm just grateful to you for still caring, helping and encouraging me, and we can forgive you the odd memory lapse, especially with a boardful of kitties to help. It would confuse anyone.

 

[Critter Mom]

Helping out here helps me to feel closer to my beloved Saoirse. I like to think of her spirit continuing to help other kitties; what we learned together was hard won. It's the greatest tribute I can think of to pay to my beautiful, beautiful girl. (((Saoirse)))




Mogs
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[Squalliesmom]

Great on the vet report! And it's wonderful to have a vet who "gets it", isn't it?!?! Makes everything so much easier!

 

[Sue484]

It's the greatest tribute I can think of to pay to my beautiful, beautiful girl. (((Saoirse)))

(((Hugs))) Mogs

 

[Sue484]

And it's wonderful to have a vet who "gets it", isn't it?!?!

It certainly is. My old vet made all the right noises but felt she patronised me at times, although she was great at other stuff. This one seems to be willing to listen and learn which is great.

 

[Critter Mom]

(((Hugs))) Mogs

Thank you for the hugs, Sue. I love her so much ...

(((Saoirse)))

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