Found a new vet!!! WOOT!

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Jeanne & Dottie

Jeanne & Dottie

Member Since 2016
Well, today Dottie felt so lousy we decided to ditch our old vet, and try a new one in an area further from where we live. The drive will be hairy during winter, but we needed to make the switch. Our old vet was 'old school' on just about everything, especially when it came to diabetes. I was sent home with insulin, needles, and urine strips and about three minutes of instructions.

BOY, were we pleasantly surprised! The new vet is a dream, she owns cats and specializes in them. She even has 7 cats of her own. And best of all, she's really up to date on trying new things, and is obviously passionate about her work. Her people skills are good, too.. she actually listens to her clients.

Our new vet is not only determined to try everything traditional, but also willing to view other forms of care, including acupuncture and holistic treatments.

Dottie is now back in full stomatitis mode:( , so we discussed a plan to salvage what we could, and will try to give her good quality of life for as long as we can. In addition to clearing up Dottie's mouth, this vet is wanting to be aggressive in pain management, instead of just saying that cats don't do well on medications, and refusing to try anything much. She noted that I home tested, appeared to not be threatened by my actions at all, and seemed pleased that I brought Dottie's meter with me so she could see where Dottie's BG was, now that she is OTJ. This vet talked to me like I had a mind, instead of brushing off my ideas and opinions. No god complex here...she just wanted to make Dottie feel better, no matter what it took.

So...Dottie got the Royal Treatment today..and while her mouth hurts tonight, she's getting an antibiotic and laying low. Hopefully the antibiotic will clear out the inflammation once more.

I was so impressed with this veterinary facility, which is so much more up-to-date in appearance as well as attitude. I noticed a 'grief room' with a sofa..a nice touch for owners who hate the cold sterile feel of many pet clinics. They have a strong online presence, and a well stocked pharmacy, and even a 'pet portal' where prescriptions can be refilled online. Everything smacks of up-to-date technology and a willingness to go the extra mile for their clients. More than one vet on duty, and they have longer hours, both early and late, than the old vet. I'm now sorry I waited so long to make the switch.

So those of you who feel their vet is behind the times...if they have a bad attitude towards home testing for your kitty's diabetes, and don't include you in decisions about treating your pet.... have hope, and start searching for another vet, pronto. They are out there.

Dottie's home...and surprisingly, her BG is holding up well. So far no ominous spikes. She's on antibiotics and we are reducing her pain as best we can until the bloodwork comes back. The vet noted that Dottie's kidneys felt 'slightly small' for her size..dunno what that means, but possibly that we'll have to be careful with getting a proper dosage for pain meds..starting low as possible and working our way up. I mentioned that I've ordered lysine, and was giving krill oil, and exploring non prescriptive ways to reduce inflammation..and her only comment was 'Do the research, and don't try anything based on wild claims..and please run it by me first so I know what's going on." That makes me willing to hear her input on what I'm using. Dottie's care has now become a collaboration instead of, "I'm the doctor just shut up and do what I say." I LOVE IT!

Dottie IS eating..she wants to survive this. My little girl is a trooper. I'll post an update as soon as things change, one way or the other (anti-jinx)...
 
That's WONDERFUL Jeanne!!

It's SO much better for everyone (especially the cat) when everyone concerned is willing to work together to get the best outcome!!
 
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That's fantastic! I'm so happy for you and Dottie! I went through a similar experience; I know what a great relief it is to find a vet you can work with! :):):)
 
Update on Dottie: she did sleep off and on, and there may be only a slight change but I think it's in the right direction. She is more alert and looking for head scritches, and even put a paw out to whack at her favorite toy...a felt lizard 'teddybear'....where yesterday she didn't want anything to do with anyone. For the first time since I've owned her, she actively tried to avoid me, slipping out of her kitty bed, and disappearing into her hiding place beneath the bathroom sink cabinet. The stress of a longer car ride and visiting a new vet was just more than she could bear.

This morning I called the clinic to see if I could give my kit an Onsior tablet, since her pain is still considerable. I didn't really expect to speak to the vet directly, as in the past, with the old vet, I frequently got communication relayed by a vet tech. To my delight, the new vet called me back and spoke to me directly. :) This woman has such energy, and oozes confidence, it's encouraging and heartwarming.

The bloodwork was already in. (That was fast! Not used to that kind of speed.) :confused: Unfortunately, it looks like Dottie's kidneys are becoming involved, there's a slight change in creatinine that we seem to have caught just in time. Using Onsior would not be a good idea, and Metacam is out as a pain reliever as well. But there's still hope, the vet wants to try Buprenorphine. (Old vet refused to even consider it.)

However, it will be a few days before we can get it as she's having it compounded for us. I guess the dosage must be specially adjusted for Dottie's weight and condition? She had mentioned that Dottie's kidneys felt small for her size.. Not sure, but if this is the reason for a compounded dose, I like the idea that she's wanting to start LOW to give the least amount needed, instead of just throwing a standardized pill at my kitty. It's like the feeling on this board that insulin should be started low and move upwards until the proper dose is reached. Common sense thinking.

I was also instructed to start giving Dottie fluids every day, (150cc) instead of only twice a week. I had mentioned ordering L Lysine, and the vet said it would be good to have it to bolster the immune system. I'm using Viralys Lysine powder, one half scoop (very tiny scoop) BID, mixed with Dottie's food, and since stomatitis is thought to be an autoimmune response, I'm hoping it will help turn her around.

Which reminds me: in the past I had mentioned on the board that I was going to look into the spice Tumeric to help keep down inflammation. Turns out this highly regarded supplement is probably off limits to kitties...Tumeric is high in phosphorous. Bummer. But Krill Oil is good, so I am continuing to give Dottie her daily dose. I am using Megared.
 
Woot indeed, Jeanne! :woot:

I'm beyond delighted that you have found such a great vet to work with you to get the very best for your beloved Dottie.

:bighug::bighug::bighug:


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