Afraid to show Vet how much I test

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DiabeticMom

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Hi,
Chong's numbers are all over the place! I have a Vet appt tomorrow and she wants to run a Fructose (something like that) test. She only wants me to test her about 3 times a week. I wasn't going to tell her how much I test or show the spreadsheet until I heard about the Fructose test---isn't that to get an average of what the BG has been running? Well, I have all that information but don't want a confrontation. What should I do?

Barb & Chong
 
I think you should be upfront about what you are doing at home. A fructosomine test used to cost over $100 - I can't recall exactly as I haven't had one done in years - but to me that is a waste of money. You have Chong's average and the test isn't going to tell you anything you don't already know. Chong is your cat and his treatment is up to you because you are paying for it and he is your cat and you know him best - not this vet - so I think you should be honest with the vet. Maybe you will be surprised. I know that any vet I don't feel comfortable talking to never sees my cats twice if I can help it.
 
Barb,
Ask your vet how often human diabetics check their BG, and then ask your vet why your Chong is not as important? Human diabetics would NEVER give themselves insulin without first testing their BG, so why should you not want to be just as cautious with your Chong?

Ask your vet if the fructosamine test is free, and if not, then say sorry I cannot afford this one test which is just an average of Chong's BG for the past 2 weeks, and which you already have on your own meter at home.

If you are afraid of speaking to your vet about any issues because you don't want a confrontation, maybe it's time to find a vet who treats you and Chong with respect.

Chong is YOUR cat and it is YOUR money which is being paid to the vet, so the vet should be treating you better.

If you can print out your spreadsheet, please do. Give it to your vet and say you are already watching Chong's numbers very closely and tracking them
 
Hi Barb, I get nervous about everything with the vet anymore and i like to avoid any confrontation in life in general....its a little problem i have! What i've been doing is just randomly dropping off my notes, questions and Junior's #'s every now and again. The first time i dropped off the spreadsheet I had anxiety all day til the vet called me back wondering what he thought. It worked out in my favor, he was impressed and had no idea what any of it meant so I had to explain it to him.

What worked for me was not being in the room with him going over it. Way less stress and I figured if I didn't like what he had to say I could just hang up. If your appointment is later in the day, I definitely suggest this.

I did something out of the blue the other day....looked up another reputable vet kinda far away and emailed Junior's ss to him with some basic questions. I asked if he'd heard of this forum or the spreadsheets and if he'd give a little insight not knowing Junior. He responded immediately "yes" to the first 2 and recommended him a visit for evaluation. I'm currently not looking for a new doc, but it was nice to have an option if I decide to. Something to think about, it just made me feel good ;-)

We're all here for you, don't worry one bit!
 
Well said - Lydia and Gayle - I know, for me, it seemed easier to question my kids' doctors than my vet. Honestly, I never even considered questioning my vet until I found this group. But, Hershey is very much like my kids. I live with him day in and day out and it stands to reason that I know him much better than someone who sees him once a year or so. I welcome and appreciate the vet's expertise, but at the end of the day I have to what I believe is best for Hershey; that responsibility is mine.

So, just be upfront, confident and courteous. The vet may even surprise you and applaud your efforts. Either way, Chong is your baby and you have to do what YOU think is best.

Libby
 
Barb,
What Gayle said about humans not shooting without testing is good, but I think this is even more effective....
Ask you vet "if your infant child was diagnosed with diabetes, would you ever even consider giving him or her a shot without testing blood first?" The reason I think that makes a bigger impression - the few human diabetics I've spoken to me have told me that they can pretty much tell when they are high or low. They test anyway, but they know when they need insulin or a candy bar. But an infant, just like a cat, can't communicate that they are in trouble. Anyone who would shoot a baby with insulin without testing probably shouldn't be a parent. Maybe that will sink in...."responsible parents test first. And pets are just as helpless as an infant when it comes to communicating with us".

The other thing I would tell the vet is that you already know what the average BG numbers are for Chong, so you don't need the fruc test. However, if your vet needs to know them, and doesn't trust your numbers, or home testing, then tell them they can run the test as long as they are willing to pay the bill for it. If they need reassurance, let them foot the bill.

Or, you could offer to tell them the numbers.... for like 50 bucks instead of their 100+ dollar cost. :-D

Carl
 
Thank you, everyone. I'm going to re-read all of these right before I go in. :) I know it sounds silly but I've been 'beaten up' by vets. As a whole they seem to have enormous egos and I find that I need to be super sensitive around them, especially if I've learned anything and voice it.

Thanks, too, for the examples I can use. I don't feel so intimidated now, esp with the infant example.

I'll let you all know if I'm looking for a new vet. ;-)

Barb & Chong
 
Good luck. Hopefully you'll be pleasantly surprised by your vet. We did one fructosamine test when Charley was first diagnosed. It was $191.
Paws crossed for positive reaction.
 
Barb,
Given the rest of the excitement today, were you able to discuss any of this stuff with the vet?

Carl
 
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