4/20 Jetta AMPS 210 PMPS 264 +2.5 97 + 3.75 69 +7 72

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Jacspets

Jacspets

Member Since 2011
Hi Dear LLers,

Long time, no post. Jetta haas been doing very well for the most part. This past week or so, not so well. I was out of town and she took DH on a wild ride throwing him a 21 :o :shock: :shock: one night after he shot while she was refusing food. (he knows better-but somehow forgot...) So, I'm taking her in for a complete workup since she's just been off for a little while. I'm going to get a Levemir Rx since Jetta is still a bouncer and I really think it's worth our efforts to try Lev. BUT when she was last at the vet in January, they were pretty firm about wanting to run a Fructosamine test and despite my attempts to explain that my rigorous home testing makes that unnecessary, they weren't convinced. So I know when I show up there today for her bloodwork it's going to come up again. I don't want to have to fold and pay the $135 for an unnecessary test. Can any of you point me to a post with some back-up information I can take in with me to prove that a Fruct. test is totally unnecessary? Are there any supporting docs out there?

And although I've not been posting, not a day goes by that I don't check in on all of you- both old friends and those I've not actually "met". I miss posting, but life got busier in late January and I had to rearrange my priorities just to stay afloat. Thanks for your help with this Fructosamine thing... Sending warm wishes to all of you- Vyktor as he nears the end of his trial, Atlas as he continues to fight for recovery, and all other kitties and beans who need a comforting thought.
 
Re: 4/20 Jetta AMPS 210- Fructosamine test rebuttal

I would think that your ss should be enough documentation for them. When my old vet said he wanted to do one I asked him what useful information it would provide that wasn't already in the ss. He had to agree - none!

Although at that time we were using the rotten freestyle heartbreaker meter so it actually would have been beneficial to have one :oops:
 
Re: 4/20 Jetta AMPS 210- Fructosamine test rebuttal

Hi Serryn,

I agree completely!! When I said that very thing my vet said he didn't know if that would tell us the same thing. He said he felt the chemistry behind the Fructosmaine test would tell us something different that Spot BG checks. I think I'll take my meter with me- it shows an average- and I can scroll through the test results. But I was hoping to have something scientific to back me up (and help educate them to save other clients from an unnecessary expense!)
 
Re: 4/20 Jetta AMPS 210- Fructosamine test rebuttal

Hi Jaclyn! I don't have anything scientific to contribute, but just wanted to say "hey"!! Good luck with the fructosamine battle...it's so ridiculous. Somehow I feel like they might not WANT to save their clients an unnecessary expense...color me cyincal.

I hope all is well with Jetta, and that she's just having a little bit of an off moment. It's great to "see" you guys, and I hope things settlle down a bit!!

Amy
 
Re: 4/20 Jetta AMPS 210- Fructosamine test rebuttal

Jacspets said:
Hi Serryn,

I agree completely!! When I said that very thing my vet said he didn't know if that would tell us the same thing. He said he felt the chemistry behind the Fructosmaine test would tell us something different that Spot BG checks.
Click to expand...

So he wants you to spend $135 for reasons he can't explain based on a feeling that he has!!!! Hasn't he had other clients home testing?
 
Re: 4/20 Jetta AMPS 210- Fructosamine test rebuttal

Vyktors Mum said:
So he wants you to spend $135 for reasons he can't explain based on a feeling that he has!!!! Hasn't he had other clients home testing?
Click to expand...
HA! Yep, pretty much. And, when they were sending me home with Jetta to start Lantus, I asked about home testing and was told it was unnecessary. "cats don't fluctuate in their BG like people do, so there's no reason to test them at home. Bring her back in 2 weeks for a curve..." Thank goodness for the FDMB or Jetta would not be here today...My understanding is their other clients are NOT hometesting, or at least not to the degree that I do. Aside from this one issue, well, 2 issues-hometesting and fructosamine- I really like them...

Hi Amy- Good to "see" you too! I hope Ms Trix starts to settle back into her old green ways for you soon. Thanks for the well wishes.
 
Re: 4/20 Jetta AMPS 210- Fructosamine test rebuttal

Here's what I would suggest. Tell the vet you will agree to the test under one condition and that condition is to prove which of you is correct. If the vet is correct, then the test will give him proof positive of whatever it is he expects to spot. If you are correct, you will get a result that shows that Jetta's 3 week average is exactly what your SS tells you both. If he's right, you're not going to give him a hard time about the test in the future. If you're right, he's going to have to stop holding you hostage to a test that tells you nothing more than what your data tells you both.

FWIW, the last fructosamine test that was run on Gabby cost $66. Your vet is overcharging or using a very expensive lab. (I have this same argument with my vet.)
 
Re: 4/20 Jetta AMPS 210- Fructosamine test rebuttal

Better yet, if you're right he doesn't charge you for the test :lol:
 
Re: 4/20 Jetta AMPS 210- Fructosamine test rebuttal

Hi Sienne- thanks for being the ever-present voice of reason. That sounds like an absolutely perfect approach!

Though I like Serryn's idea too :lol: :lol: :twisted:
 
Re: 4/20 Jetta AMPS 210- Fructosamine test rebuttal

I think $135 is outrageous too. I can't remember what our previous vet charged but it wasn't even close to that. I'm sorry Jetta isn't eating well. We think that is just about the worst. Zener is on Zantac, ondansetron, and occasionally Cerenia. Plus we massage his tummy every day. We noticed that every time we came home from the vet, he would eat really good and think it was because of the stomach palpitations that the vet does. He likes it, which not many cats do. I'm glad to read your post. I understand about the time issue. Take care, Jac.
Liz
 
Re: 4/20 Jetta AMPS 210- Fructosamine test rebuttal

Hello Jetta & Jaclyn! Nice to see you on here. Sending you lots of good thoughts and vetty vines for a great visit today.
 
Re: 4/20 Jetta AMPS 210- Fructosamine test rebuttal

I did pay around that $135 for a fructosamine test in HK too! Yes, it told me nothing other than my cat is diabetic. :lol: I think the vet need to make a living too! :lol:
 
Re: 4/20 Jetta AMPS 210- Fructosamine test rebuttal

Tell your Vet you can't afford the test and he'll either have to do it for free (since it's information that he feels would satisfy his curiosity, not yours) or he'll have to make do with the information at hand which is you excellently maintained spreadsheet :-D

Not saying you should get the test done but after reading this article Fructosamine Measurement in Diabetic Dogs and Cats, the only reason I can think of why the test may be beneficial is the Fructosamine test is supposed to give an "unbiased" measurement of the glucose level for the previous 2-3 weeks.

In other words, your spreadsheet is the average of blood glucose readings that have been taken over time and there are variables in those readings such as the time they were taken, the frequency taken, and the conditions under which they were taken.

Some people maintain their spreadsheet religiously, taking a several readings a day, catching when the nadir occurs and sometimes doing a mini curve on weekends. The average BG reading for this set of cats will likely be lower because there is more data to average.

On the other hand, take that same three week period of BGs and throw out the data for the mini curves. Now your average has changed. Maybe you are someone who has to leave for the day and is unaware you cat drops very low while you are gone and by the time you get back home to take a BG reading it's a decent number. You don't have that data to average in to your three week average.

The Fructosamine test is supposed to capture all the missing information by measuring the amount of glucose bonded to the proteins in the blood. This in turn is supposed to tell the Vet what the average BG concentration is for the cat for that three week period.

I think the Fructosamine test is a good tool to help in determining treatment for the cat but I don't think it should be the sole decision maker. If the cat was under stressful conditions for the previous three weeks (such as my cat who might have an asthma attack) then the Fructosamine test is going to capture that stressful "snapshot in time". Using the test along with owner observation and their spreadsheet should be taken in to consideration as well.
 
Re: 4/20 Jetta AMPS 210- Fructosamine test rebuttal

sienne's plan is super, especially if he won't refill your prescription without it. i'd probably just say i don't have enough money to pay for it, so if he wants to do it without charge, super. otherwise, she's your cat and it's your money.

it's great to see you! :YMHUG: i do see you signed in now and then - i think trying the lev is a smart move. this place can really suck up your time. i'm trying to be more disciplined about checking in often throughout the day still, but only staying on for a short time so i still have somewhat of a life. it's hard to get a balance.
 
Re: 4/20 Jetta AMPS 210- Fructosamine test rebuttal

Good luck w/ the vet, Sienne has hit it on the head, but I'd combine it w/ Serryn's suggestion too! :lol:

Lev is a little diferent and takes some getting used to, but we like it a lot.It tends to keep us up pretty late though.
 
Re: 4/20 Jetta AMPS 210- Fructosamine test rebuttal

I have a hard time with vets who forget that they are working for ME and I am not there just to do their bidding or be subservient to their ego. Sienne and Cathy gave you some great info. And I also like the idea of asking him
to foot the bill since it's information he wants/needs that will not aid you in addressing Jetta's FD.

Gracie has done fantastic on lev and she was quite the bouncer on lantus. Please let me know if I can help you. The cycles do take getting used to but we LOVE it!

We've missed you all!
 
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