Converting a Vet for new Patient

[cayennepepper]

Hello all its Pepper and Sadie again,


I just took Sadie in for a curve to the vets this am. I really have the feeling my vet is clueless. He asked me to bring Sadies insulin in for the curve he is performing then refused to take it. Although he is fine with me home testing he refuses to go along with the alternate foods he says they are not special formula for Diabetics. I have printed off the different list and highlighted the low carb ones and compared them to the Hills DM. Is it time to find a new vet? Sadies numbers with no insulin have been in the 211-238. Really they have been all over the place but without insulin they haven't dropped below 100. ( I haven't gotten the keto strips yet nor set up a litter tray for that...I have to admit that part seems a little daunting but I will I think its important!)

I know there are a lot of urgent cases out there but if anyone has any advice or what I can say to the vet please help. I'm very blunt and I won't take no for an answer from the vet no matter if they are 28 or 92 I just want what is best for Sadie!

 

[Julia & Bandit (GA)]

Here's a copy of the AAHA diabetes guidelines: http://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocuments/AAHADiabetesGuidelines.pdf

If you look p. 217-218 (3-4), it outlines the diet requirements for diabetic cats. I would print that out, highlight the protein, carb, and canned food requirements. Then print out Binky's list and highlight foods that meet these requirements, along with the Hills MD, which does NOT meet these requirements. Ask him to explain what special ingredients are in the MD that makes it necessary to feed, since it doesn't meet the nutrition requirements for diabetics set by the AAHA. He won't be able to answer that question, because the answer is that there is none. http://catinfo.org/#Prescription_Diets_and_Marketing_Labels

If he still argues with you about the diet, I would switch vets. If he insists that you feed something that's clearly not the best diet for your cat out of stubbornness or greed (remember that vets make $ off of prescription diets), that's not someone I would want treating my cat.

I would also highlight the part on p. 218 where it states that home monitoring is preferable to office curves. If you're home testing, then you don't need pay for a curve at the vet--it's a waste of money since your curve at home is going to be more accurate. My vet had me home testing from the start, so I never paid for one curve at the vet--I provided my vet with a link to my spreadsheet, and we'd discuss Bandit's progress over the phone.

If Sadie is getting numbers in the 100s without insulin, then that is fantastic! It looks like all she needed was a diet change, so you're very lucky! Are the numbers in the high 100s or low 100s? How is her weight? If she's overweight, putting her on a safe weight loss plan and getting her to lose those extra lbs will likely be all she needs. You'd be surprised--Bandit was carrying around an extra lb or two, and it really did make a difference in his blood glucose. If she is a little overweight, here's a great link that discusses how to implement a safe weight loss plan. http://catinfo.org/?link=felineobesity#Implementing_a_Safe_Weight-Loss_Program

 

[Vicky & Gandalf (GA) & Murrlin]

From what you've done so far, I don't know how much more convincing you can be with this vet. With some people the evidence can be staring them in the face and they still refuse to think differently because what they've been doing "has worked so far."

With BGs only in the 200s, a diet change could possibly reverse the damage done to the pancreas thus far and prevent Sadie from becoming insulin dependent.

Here is an article about how to know when it's time to switch vets: http://gorbzilla.com/files for download/vetdecisionsigns.PDF

I see these warning signs you've already experienced, "The vet or staff tells you that you must feed brand “A” or Kitty will suffer the consequences. The vet, or staff, insists that they do blood glucose curves on Kitty although you want to do them at home.
The vet, or staff, doesn't seem concerned with your questions and concerns about Kitty's health and treatment."

The treatment variations are surprising when members start calling around to different clinics about feline diabetes. You first might want to find a clinic which is a member of the AAHA. They must follow strict guidelines in order to qualify for that certification.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Not every vet will be an expert in diabetes -- or want to learn, for that matter. I think the bigger question is whether you like and/or trust this vet for your cat's overall care. If you do, then nod politely about the food, ask for a prescription for the food and tell the vet you're going to order it on line because it's so much cheaper, and then feed your cat a low carb, better canned food diet. The vet is not going to come to your home to see what food you're giving your cat!

 

[Julia & Bandit (GA)]

Not every vet will be an expert in diabetes -- or want to learn, for that matter. I think the bigger question is whether you like and/or trust this vet for your cat's overall care. If you do, then nod politely about the food, ask for a prescription for the food and tell the vet you're going to order it on line because it's so much cheaper, and then feed your cat a low carb, better canned food diet. The vet is not going to come to your home to see what food you're giving your cat!

This is very true--if you really like and trust your vet you may want to stay with him and handle Sadie's diabetes yourself (which many people do--diabetes is best treated by the owner at home anyway, just like human diabetes).

 

[ohbell]

Hello & welcome to this wonderful place of advice, suggestions, and support!

I took my Bean in for a visit because she had lost weight. I moved 2 times and thought she was depressed and trying to adjust. I had not heard of fd, and was soo suprised when I did. My vet had been my vet for 14+ yrs. but his advice about fd was wrong...sorry but it was just down right wrong. This forum is what helped keep my girl from hypo, kept her alive and she is now in remission for almost 1 yr!

I am now onto vet #4 with my 3 girls, found one that I really do like. Bean will go in for a consult Saturday. He already knows she is a remission kitty and that I am very very head strong on how I take care of my girls. I have discussed Bean way before I used him for the other 2. He is well aware that I feed what I do, not script and raw with canned. I have sent him over the information in her file along with my home tested bg numbers.

I would gently discuss these issues with your already vet, but if he will not budge, then shop for your baby. When I took Bean for her curve 1 wk after the dx, I told them about this forum, and they immedately said - dont be searching the internet and dont believe everything you read & not to home test!

Well, Bean has not been back since that day! matter of fact, she has not been back to ANY vet since that day.... we are re-establishing a new vet because mommabean likes him and it is time for new bloodwork and a dental.

Hold strong and do what is right in your heart! Dont be pushed into something you dont feel will be good for your furry baby!

Keep posting, learing and seeking information. You have come to the right place. :razz: