I said no to the vet! lol plus a question regarding syringes

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stanleythecat

Member Since 2012
I finally took Stanely back to the vet since the initial diagonses back in May. After being very frustrated with their lack of knowledge and the cost of all the visits, I found this wonderful forum and gained alot of knowledge. I am 100% confident in testing and adjusting the insulin as needed. So today's visit was mainly just to check Stanely's weight and pick up some more insulin. They seemed to be unsure of my chart I brought in, but seemed to be opened to the idea. The vet wanted me to to a fructosamine test to "see what his levels have been overall in the past few weeks." I smiled and said, "No, I think I have enough numbers here to see how well he is doing" So HUGE thank you to this forum for giving me the confidence in saying no and for saving me the $90 or that they would of charged!

My question is, I much prefer the 1/2" needles. I found with the shorter ones his numbers seemed to go up as if the insulin wasn't getting quite in far enough. But I have been all over town looking for a 1/2" needle with half unit markings. No one seems to carry such a thing. I can get the 5/16" needles with half units but not the 1/2" with half unit markings. I assume they exist but perhaps not in Canada?

Tina
 
Re: I said no to the vet! lol plus a question regarding syri

Thank you! I figured they existed. Now to find a place that won't charge me an arm and a leg for shipping. :smile:

Tina
 
Re: I said no to the vet! lol plus a question regarding syri

I used the 1/2" needles initially, but I switched to the 5/16" when I started buying the ones with half-unit markings. I've also noticed a bit of a difference with the insulin absorption and side-effects, but I just put up with it because the pharmacist told me that they didn't make 1/2" needles with half-unit markings. Thank you for asking this question!
 
Re: I said no to the vet! lol plus a question regarding syri

I use BD 3/10 "short" syringes that you can get at Costco, walmart, shoppers, Pharmaplus... http://www.bd.com/ca/diabetes/english/page.aspx?cat=14502&id=14907 they are usually behind the counter in the pharmacy but you dont need a prescription or anything. Is that what you are looking for? You can also get 3/10cc ones that arent short.

Get them at shoppers one time and ask for a free sharps box. then you just fill it and exchange free for a new one.
 
Re: I said no to the vet! lol plus a question regarding syri

Shoppers! I totally forgot to check with them! Thank you for reminding me. Plus a sharps box for free! I have been buying them at London Drugs.

Thanks for all your help....

Tina
 
Re: I said no to the vet! lol plus a question regarding syri

Sometimes they run out of the syringes but they get them in again so just ask. when I went to get the sharps box they did ask "you do get your insulin etc from here dont you" and i said "oh yes". ( fingers crossed behind my back, I get my insulin pens in costco now (cheaper!) - but I used to get a vial in Shoppers.. but its not like they can check - its not on prescription or a drug plan!)
 
Re: I said no to the vet! lol plus a question regarding syri

Good for you for making your treatment decision with the vet confidently!

It is very hard and scary and intimidating to question what they say. But it must be done. So many of us on this forum have had so many bad experiences with vets misdiagnosing and not really knowing how to treat a number of diseases, esp. db., that we must learn to be confident in questioning their diagnosis, their prescriptions and their dosing.

I had vets nearly harm or kill several of my cats when dealing with kidney disease, diabetes, and heart disease, and possibly liver failure. And all of it was overly generous use of medications, rather than a conservative and prudent approach.

It was only after learning thru the bad mistakes and realizing that with certain things--esp. the diabetes, that I actually knew more than the vets I saw did (and I see lots of different vets), that I realized that you have to educate yourself for your cat and NOT rely on the vet to be God, because they simply cannot be an expert in all diseases in all creatures. And they are not. We must all learn that and question question question--and research research research. We all know that most of them know jack about nutrition, that's for sure.

anyway, so pat on the back for you!
 
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