I need help finding a vet in Columbus/Hilliard/Galloway OH area, please.
- Thread starter Basic's Mom
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The vet practice I use is Purrfect Care Feline Medical Center in Columbus. It is a feline only practice. OSU also has a veterinary care practice in Dublin.
Basic's Mom
Member Since 2023
Thank you. I sent a message to another cat only vet here today. I'll contact this place as well. They will work with you regarding your treatment plan for your cat? Meaning, I won't be berated constantly for home testing or wanting to use generic insulin? I know that's a silly question, but I'm not experiencing vets that like what I'm saying, no matter how it is said.
I think a lot goes into how you approach the vet. When I moved here, Gabby was still alive and I had been managing her diabetes for several years. I asked to meet with the vet and see their clinic. They were very accommodating. If you ask questions rather than "tell" the professional what you think they ought to be doing, you will get the information you need and begin to form a collaborative relationship. When the owner of the practice, Dr. Cohn (who is retiring) saw Gabby's spreadsheet, she pretty much said, "You know what you're doing. Let me know what you need." What I can tell you is that saying words to the effect that, "This is the treatment plan that you must follow." is not going to allow you to find someone you will want to work with. It's not how medical or veterinary professionals are trained. You want someone who will partner with you. You may be 100% right regarding a treatment plan but the moment something changes with your cat, the treatment plan may need to go out the window. (An example would be that steroids will raise blood glucose levels. However, there are certain conditions where a cat needs to take a steroid. It's going to change what you need to do.)
I can't say that the other vets in the practice are the same as Dr. Cohn. However, they come from very good training programs. I've never worked with a vet or an MD who didn't respect the literature. There are journal articles that address home testing for the treatment of feline diabetes. I doubt they would ignore a publication from a respected veterinary journal. Not all vets are aware that insulin, such as Lantus, may now be available as a generic/biosimilar. If the issue is with Lantus, if the vet won't write a prescription for the biosimilar, you can always get your insulin from Canada as a very reduced price.
I can't say that the other vets in the practice are the same as Dr. Cohn. However, they come from very good training programs. I've never worked with a vet or an MD who didn't respect the literature. There are journal articles that address home testing for the treatment of feline diabetes. I doubt they would ignore a publication from a respected veterinary journal. Not all vets are aware that insulin, such as Lantus, may now be available as a generic/biosimilar. If the issue is with Lantus, if the vet won't write a prescription for the biosimilar, you can always get your insulin from Canada as a very reduced price.
Basic's Mom
Member Since 2023
After my last situation, I did send an email to a potential new vet with all of my expectations and basically stated, this is the plan I want to follow. I didn't want to be in yet another situation like I just left. What your saying makes sense.
I have. His last vet refused to read anything I sent her. Her mom's cat has diabetes. After telling me that there isn't any evidence that generic insulin works with cats and that five pens would go bad in my fridge, she then email me stating that she's used generic insulin on her mom's cat and has ordered the five pens in the past. The practice also seemed very offended that i returned their Rx food when he thankfully refused to eat it. Petsmart nor Chewy have ever acted like that was a problem. Also, office was very offended that I wanted to pick up a prescription or have it called into a pharmacy, becasue i could get it 90% reduced elsewhere. Me asking these questions upfront, I was simply trying to weed out vets that wouldn't work for us. I don't need to be gaslit by a medical professional, I need my cat taken care of. While I understand all vets aren't like this, it has me very much on the defensive about all of this.
Yeah, I tried that. It was no cheaper through the Canadian pharmacy, the one listed here. It was around $100.* Correction below*
I've searched for articles regarding generic insulin in cats and don't find anything. If you could point me in the right direction of any vet journal articles I should have on hand to, can you let me know where I can find them? I have the ones attached to the dosing method information. I don't know where the home testing article is. I can search for it after this post. It would be very helpful to have. That topic truly gets most vets extremely worked up.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to change my perspective on this topic. I know that vets are not the enemy here, I truly do. I've just had horrible experiences since my cat got sick. I must change my approach to this situation though, because it does have to be a partnership.
Again, thank you for your time and energy in this matter. It is greatly appreciated.
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Basic's Mom
Member Since 2023
Did the practice you went with for Gabby (Purrfect Care) charge you for meeting with them? The other cat only vet just returned my call and that want to charge me a fee to meet and speak with the vet.
Basic's Mom
Member Since 2023
I went ahead and scheduled with Purrfect. His appointment is not until 1/8. She added me to a cancelation list, but she stated they don't have a lot of cancelations. He is schedule for a comprehensive senior blood panel.
He will run out of insulin before then though. His vet never called in more refills either. I have no desire to contact his old vet's office.
I gave his first insulin to his old vet's office to donate to someone else that could use it. Is there any programs that anyone knows about that I could contact to see if I can get him more to hold him over until his new vet appointment? I will pay for it. His most recent pen is going much faster than the others because his dose is increasing. I started his new pen on 11/14. His new pen would be empty long before 1/8.
Thanks in advance for any helpful information.
He will run out of insulin before then though. His vet never called in more refills either. I have no desire to contact his old vet's office.
I gave his first insulin to his old vet's office to donate to someone else that could use it. Is there any programs that anyone knows about that I could contact to see if I can get him more to hold him over until his new vet appointment? I will pay for it. His most recent pen is going much faster than the others because his dose is increasing. I started his new pen on 11/14. His new pen would be empty long before 1/8.
Thanks in advance for any helpful information.
Basic's Mom
Member Since 2023
Disregard my message about insulin. I contacted the Canadian pharmacy that had his prescription from his old vet. She made a note on the prescription that this is a trial basis and she doesn't recommend for them to send all 5 pens. I explained to them this isn't anything trial. He agreed to send me all 5 pens. *The quote I got previously was over $100 because it was for all 5 pens, not just one. I'm still saving $50 a pen through this pharmacy.
Thank you again for your time and attention. My cat is set for insulin and his new vet appointment will be 1/8.
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What generic insulin are you referring to? Lantus is the only insulin that is recently available as a generic/biosimilar. Novolin and Vetsulin are generics but not appropriate for treating feline diabetes.
I'm glad you were able to get in to Purrfect Care. I hope you like the practice.
I'm glad you were able to get in to Purrfect Care. I hope you like the practice.
Basic's Mom
Member Since 2023
I'm referring to generic Lantus.
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