Looking for vet in Toronto

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Lanna_Cartier

Lanna_Cartier

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Hello there. My lovely Penelope was diagnosed with diabetes in early February. We live in midtown Toronto, and we aren't confident with the care she's been receiving. They've been making big jumps with her insulin (dipping her BG very low), their treatment goals don't seem to align with what I read here and seem quite reckless, and they have not been great at clear and timely communication. We'd love to find a vet that is knowledgeable about FD and just generally patient-focused and communicative. We don't have access to a vehicle, so a place that is accessible would also be V helpful, but we don't mind paying for a cab for the right vet.

Penelope is currently on Caninsulin and we'd love to be able to change her to Lantus, but would prefer to do that with the support of a good vet (where we can bring her if she ever has an emergency).

Thank you for any help you can provide.
 
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It's been 20 years and it looks like our great vet got swallowed up by VCA, nothing is the same. It's a long story but I can only tell you we live just off the 401, next exit after Trafalgar. We have two great vets out here and one who boards diabetic cats. We're only 25 minutes from the airport so that might come in handy one day.
You can PM me for details, good luck.
 
I’m in Toronto as well, Scarborough so not as familiar with downtown. We have been to 3 different vets since Indi was diagnosed and have not been able to find any that are very experienced or maybe it is educated in diabetes. We had to do bloodwork and have his teeth checked this past week and tried a new vet…same bad advice regarding diabetes but I did like her though so that’s something.
If you want to change to Lantus you can just head to a pharmacy and pick it up yourself no prescription required, check in with the Lantus board for advice on getting started :)
 
@Wendy&Neko @Marje and Gracie @Sienne and Gabby (GA)
Lanna_Cartier said:
we've been working with the team at **** Animal Hospital but we aren't confident with the care she's been receiving.
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I'm not a board member but we have a common sense rule here that we don't name clinics or doctors unless they've done something so unethical or stupid it's considered factual. I've crossed that line many times with my personal opinion about VCA so I'm no Angel. That's why I offered the names of our two clinics if you PM'd me. Relax, no one is going to have you flogged. Once doctors and lawyers cross paths it's not good for anyone and that's partly why this site is our little corner of sanity in a nasty world. What you'll find here is genuine compassion and advice from people just like you and me, we just want what's best for our cats without ending up on TMZ. I hope that came out right.
 
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Lanna_Cartier said:
their treatment goals don't seem to align with what I read here and seem quite reckless, and they have not been great at clear and timely communication. We'd love to find a vet that is knowledgeable about FD and just generally patient-focused and communicative.
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Hi Lanna and Penelope. I'm in Alberta (fellow Canadian) so a long way away, but may I say...... this is a very common post here on this forum that a vet's advice on a treatment program is lacking a bit, or even 'reckless' as you say. It really seems that up to date, comprehensive knowledge in Feline Diabetes is just not taught in vet schools (where would they find the time?). They have so many animals to deal with, and for sure... vets have a very difficult job to care for so many different species. I was like you,(and many others) extremely doubtful about my vet's treatment protocol. Reading through this site, asking questions, and researching all the links made me realize my best option was to take it upon myself to learn all I could and take decisive action based on the information here. I kept my vet informed as to what I was doing, despite her trepidation and dislike of someone using an internet source to determine treatment. , (we are ultimately the one holding the syringe, right?) As for Lantus, most here would agree it is an excellent insulin for cats, and is available at most pharmacies without a prescription, you just need to tell them it is for your cat. You will find knowledgeable help here with the transition.
Lanna_Cartier said:
would prefer to do that with the support of a good vet (where we can bring her if she ever has an emergency).
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In a perfect world we would all rather this, ;) . (I think 'Cat only' clinics would be most likely to get an FD specialist) but as I treated my Kitkat, my vet slowly came around and is now thoroughly impressed with the treatment protocols on this site, and she is now looking into them further. May I add that a vet may not have a large knowledge base of feline specific diabetes,,,,, but I am quite sure that they are all more than qualified to deal with an emergency situation if one was to arise.... :bighug:. They do learn that in vet school and live it in their jobs every day.
I researched and learned.... I put on a brave face and chose to take his treatment into my own hands..... 'a leap of faith' with the beautiful, knowledgable, and watchful eyes here..... that's what made all the difference. :):p:D:joyful:.
I do wish you the best in finding a nice vet. Fingers and paws crossed for you. Chin up! There is help here :bighug:
 
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