Constance OBrien
Member Since 2019
Is this the Main Health forum?
This is hard enough to not have faith in a vet or am I crazy?
His insulin has always been 5 units 2xs a day
What do you mean high enough for insulin? What should that number be?
The pharmacy also told me that the insulin should be replaced if it is over 30 days old is that true?
Some brands also make "lickable treats" I have no idea what kind of carbs are in them but you could always test them out.
Vet Test chem 17 is a blood panel which includes several blood chemistry panels. This might be what the lab your vet uses calls the test for blood chemistries. It includes the following:Hey guys! I did a little research on the tests the new vet wants...Does anyone know the difference between a Vet Test Chem 17 & Super chem CBC/T4?
I did the Vet test chem in Jan with my old vet as well as urinalysis with MicroAlbum. That was 69.00 The new vet wants 90.19 I am soo confused!! Does anyone know what Cheristin is? The new vet wants 20.00 for whatever that is.. It appears to me that I am repeating some tests I just paid for at my old vet??? I also found a kit online that I could do the Urine culture /MIC sensitivity myself and save the $296.19 I am well into this 3k but I will do whatever it takes for Tigger but I don't want to get more stressed. He hates leaving home. I have to get him better. It is braking my heart that he cannot walk or jump like he likes!!
Any advice I would greatly appreciate guys!
Is this the Main Health forum?
Constance
I’ve gotten three emails from you on gmail regarding the spreadsheet and I responded with a very detailed answer this morning indicating I can do the SS for you if you like. I just need info and it was contained in that email. If you didn’t get it, please send me a private message here on the board by clicking on “Marje and Gracie” to the left and then “start a conversation” and I can take care of it for you.
Vet Test chem 17 is a blood panel which includes several blood chemistry panels. This might be what the lab your vet uses calls the test for blood chemistries. It includes the following:
Profile Information:
Albumin
Creatinine
Alkaline Phosphatase
Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT)
ALT/SGPT
Glucose
AST/SGOT
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LD)
Bilirubin,
Total Phosphorus
BUN
Potassium
Calcium
Protein, Total
Chloride
Sodium
Cholesterol
The SuperChem CBC/T4 is the test I always get for my cats as it gives you all the blood chemistries as above like kidney and liver values, electrolytes, etc. The CBC is the complete blood count which includes white and red blood cell counts, hematocrit (for anemia detection), platelet count. The T4 is for the thyroid. Usually this type of panel should also include urinalysis if it is under the “senior panel” category.
Labs are just a snapshot at that moment in time. If he’s had labs in the last three months, I would get them all and furnish them to the new vet and ask her what she hopes to see in the new labs that the old ones are providing her. If the old labs don’t have a CBC, ask her what info the CBC will provide her that aids in his diabetes treatment (the answer is “none” but if she suspects chronic kidney disease, it would be helpful). If it’s been more than three months, it would be worthwhile.
Cheristin is for fleas. Does he have fleas?
I would not do a urine culture at home. Those home kits do not have the sensitivity that the labs would have and unless you suspect a urinary tract infection, I wouldn’t necessarily do it. Ask the vet why it’s necessary. Make her explain why she wants each test and what symptoms he has that the labs might address.
If he can’t walk or jump, he likely has diabetic neuropathy which is common in unregulated diabetes. You can give him Zobaline (click on the blue word for the link) to help with that and getting him regulated will also help. It takes time....as in months....to correct the neuropathy.
Yes! I tried that last night!Have you tried just putting a very small amount of wet food mixed with his dry food? When he gets to eating that, gradually increase the wet and decrease the dry.
Also! Try canned sardines. The ones that come in water, otherwise it's too much salt. Or giving him chicken breast instead of wet food. Tuna is okay too, but not too often. These are just some alternative snacks in the event that he won't eat any wet food. Charlie is personally really fond of any chicken flavor Fancy Feast. I don't know if you've tried it yet but it's definitely worth a shot. All three of my cats love it. Sometimes it's not even about the brand so much as the flavor, Charlie turns his nose up at almost any wet food that isn't chicken. So really try and go back to find out what Tigger really enjoys. Some brands also make "lickable treats" I have no idea what kind of carbs are in them but you could always test them out. My cat Atlas wouldn't eat wet food due to a mouth problem a while back and these helped out a lot. You could also try natural food as opposed to wet food. My grandmother feeds her cat raw duck and such. I know this sounds like a bunch of crazy nonsense and I'm sure you know what's best for your cat! I just want to throw out all these options in hopes that something helps!
Should I just go back to my original vet?
Does chicken or turkey have all the nutrients he needs ?
Why did you switch vets?
For the wet food transition, have you tried some FortiFlora sprinkled on top? Warming the food in the microwave for a few seconds, then stirring it up to release the aroma?
I don’t think you need to worry about the growth hormone test just yet. Try to get him on a low carb food and get the spreadsheet set up so we can see if the test is necessary. Try the Young Again dry food and keep trying to get him on the wet. All I can say about a vet, is to try to find one that is willing to listen to you and work with you.
Thanks!! So do you think I should go back to my regular vet or stay with the cat vet? Also what about the B12 shots he has been getting weekly?Don't worry about the extra testing yet. Since you've been feeding a high carb kibble and your vet(s) have increased you too much, too fast, it's entirely possible that if you get him onto a low carb diet, he won't need near as much insulin in the first place.
The Dr. Elsey's Clean Protein (chicken) is about 4.6% carbs and most cats tolerate it better than the Young Again
It's a much better choice than what you're currently feeding....at least until you can convince him to eat a canned or raw diet.
I will order the food nowThanks!! So do you think I should go back to my regular vet or stay with the cat vet? Also what about the B12 shots he has been getting weekly?
i am very worried that he is under the bed again tonight its not like him
I really have no opinion on which vet you should use because as I said earlier, once I got my script for Lantus, I stopped taking China to the vet at all for her diabetes and just listened to the people here.
I'd go with the one you feel most comfortable with and can afford easiest. There's no law that says you have to tell your vet everything.....like the fact that you're home testing.
As for the B-12 shots, we generally see them used to help with appetite and general activity level. The form of B-12 in the shots isn't useful in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. The methylcobalamin form of B-12 (like in the Zobaline) is the best for treatment of neuropathy. The shots are the cyanocobalamin form
Thankyou soo much!Good morning, Constance. Welcome to the FDMB!
I've merged your "Tigger!" and "Need Help with Tigger!" threads. It'll make it easier for you to have the information in one place. You might want to scan this thread to make sure you've read all the posts.
Again, welcome. Hope to see you posting often!![]()