I must say I'm confused and a little angry as to how some vets do not keep up on this common feline disease . I put my trust in my vet and was following his advise on dosing my cat , how can either vet I've worked with be so out of touch with updated guidelines. Luckily I listened a little to folks here and slightly reduced the amount but turns out it was still to much. :shock:
Lack of vets education
- Thread starter Kitty mom
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dirtybirdsoaps
Member Since 2014
That's most of us here, and I can say that's EXACTLY how my vet is. I love her, she's great to my cats but didn't have the experience I expected for Hidey's diabetes. Luckily, I didn't take her advice and home tested, and changed diet. If I wouldn't have home tested I would gave surely sent Hidey into hypo and possibly kill him.
The way I try to think of it is they're over worked, not like drs. With drs. They have so many different specialist. With vets their expected to know it all, they don't have a lot of time to further research just know what they've been taught in school and have taught themselves. Don't get me wrong I think if your caring for animals they need to find time to read new research but their still human. That being said I wish they'd be willing to learn and accept new info if they don't have the answers (the ones that won't)
The way I try to think of it is they're over worked, not like drs. With drs. They have so many different specialist. With vets their expected to know it all, they don't have a lot of time to further research just know what they've been taught in school and have taught themselves. Don't get me wrong I think if your caring for animals they need to find time to read new research but their still human. That being said I wish they'd be willing to learn and accept new info if they don't have the answers (the ones that won't)
BJM
Member Since 2010
Vets treat several species with all levels of health, disease, and injury. Staying on top of all of it can be difficult. Consider how human docs specialize in comparison.
That said, checking the last time they received education in feline diabetes is a good idea. You can save the vet time by printing up the veterinary articles we reference for the vet. Since these come from reputable veterinary journals or references (ex the Merck Veterinary Manual), they carry more clout than "some internet web site".
That said, checking the last time they received education in feline diabetes is a good idea. You can save the vet time by printing up the veterinary articles we reference for the vet. Since these come from reputable veterinary journals or references (ex the Merck Veterinary Manual), they carry more clout than "some internet web site".
Melanie and Smokey
Member Since 2010
They have a lot of diseases to keep current on. That is why I always take it upon myself to research myself on top of what my vet says. I have treated 3 diabetics now.
Smokey, my own - vet was pretty current. A few things like not increasing by full units and feeding dry food we found out elsewhere. By the end of her treatment, the vet was completely on board things like 1/4U adjustments. Still liked to try to prescribe too high carb of food, but all in all a very good feline diabetes vet.
Cecil, first foster - vet just about killed him. Put on Vetsulin, then increased the dose based on tests done well past the time when the insulin wore off. He went from an energetic cat to skin-n-bones lying in the corner of the play room or his kennel. I found out the details and talked to the shelter manager. 4 weeks later after a switch of insulin and taking him into foster he was in remission and almost doubled his weight.
Chris, second foster - another vet that treats based on old info and cost of insulin. We tried the insulin for a little while, switched it and haven't consulted with the vet since. Chris will likely start a trial off of insulin in 10-12 days, about 3 months after diagnosis. The vet they have for the other cat that had steroid induced diabetes is even worse. Arrogant and wrong.
Its very disheartening to have vets that treat without first reading up on the disease. I have tried to bring the vets along on my journey with diabetic cats. Them learning along with me is a win for all the diabetics they treat down the line.
Smokey, my own - vet was pretty current. A few things like not increasing by full units and feeding dry food we found out elsewhere. By the end of her treatment, the vet was completely on board things like 1/4U adjustments. Still liked to try to prescribe too high carb of food, but all in all a very good feline diabetes vet.
Cecil, first foster - vet just about killed him. Put on Vetsulin, then increased the dose based on tests done well past the time when the insulin wore off. He went from an energetic cat to skin-n-bones lying in the corner of the play room or his kennel. I found out the details and talked to the shelter manager. 4 weeks later after a switch of insulin and taking him into foster he was in remission and almost doubled his weight.
Chris, second foster - another vet that treats based on old info and cost of insulin. We tried the insulin for a little while, switched it and haven't consulted with the vet since. Chris will likely start a trial off of insulin in 10-12 days, about 3 months after diagnosis. The vet they have for the other cat that had steroid induced diabetes is even worse. Arrogant and wrong.
Its very disheartening to have vets that treat without first reading up on the disease. I have tried to bring the vets along on my journey with diabetic cats. Them learning along with me is a win for all the diabetics they treat down the line.
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