Please delete

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Re: Did my vet make the wrong choices?

It may be that your vet did not know everything he could have about the treatment of diabetes in cats. A vet who is really up on feline diabetes, in my opinion, would encourage home testing and a wet lo carb diet from the beginning. And he would be up on all the kinds of insulin and their complexities.

But, if you have read some of the newbie posts here, there just aren't vets like that. Maybe one post out of 100. Vets are trained to take care of every problem a cat, dog, hamster, ferret, bunny (etc) might have. They are like gps; they know a little about a lot of things, but not a lot about any one thing. They may take one workshop in feline diabetes. The best vets we see are at least willing to learn, but they are usually learning from the parent of their patient, who is learning from this website.

We live and breathe feline diabetes and there is a collective amount of knowledge here. Vets can't do that, unless they specialize in feline diabetes.

The question for you is what do you do with your heartache. Maybe a letter to your vet with what you have learned would help a future patient. Maybe just asking for an appointment to talk to him would ease your mind. There is a group in most states that will investigate licensed professionals. In Colorado, it is within the Attorney Generals office. I guess the issue would be if he did anything outside the bounds of usual vet practices, and unfortunately, the answer may be no.

I am so sorry you lost your beautiful SHiva and I hope that the time and care and love you shared and gave to him brings you peace. And it is absolutely right for you to look for answers. And ask questions.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Re: Did my vet make the wrong choices?

It is always hard when one of our kitties leaves us. When we look back almost always when we look back we can see things that if we made different choices the outcome may have been different. Infections, especially bone infections since they are very difficult to treat, can change the inulin needs. You also said that Shiva did not eat much and usually results in less needed insulin/great BG drop is same dose is given. I myself really see not drastically wrong that your vet did but do see how "better" choices could have been made. Like Sue said, I would go over with the vet for the benefit of his other patients what might have been better choices.

 

[Carol-Charlie]

Re: Did my vet make the wrong choices?

I'm so sorry that your kitty had to go ahead. The situation does want us to blame something.. someone... sometimes it's not a cut and dried answer. Yes things might have been different, but who knows for sure. The thing I pray for out of this is that your vet learns that testing by caregivers is critical to the safety of diabetic pets. No doctor would tell the parent of tiny child with diabetes to not test prior to shooting. I doubt your vet will say that to anyone again either... He learned. sadly.. he learned. In this matter, your precious baby did not die in vain. Many learned from this tragedy...


Dear Mom,

I’m just about to take a nap, for I’ve been running free.
I was chasing butterflies, and one small bumble bee.
I’ve rolled around in catnip, I’ve climbed high in a tree
And now I’ll rest all cuddled up with others just like me.

I’m in a truly lovely place, it’s right by Heaven’s gate.
I’m not alone, and I am told this is the place to wait.
I’ve told everyone about you, they said you won’t be late.
That though on earth long years will pass, I’ll meet you by the gate.

There’s a bridge we’ll cross together, it has a rainbow hue
And really it’s so pretty here, that all I miss is you.
So please don’t think about the things you did or didn’t do
It was my time to find the bridge, so please do not feel blue.

I’m sorry that I left so fast, without a kiss good-bye.
But I’ve enclosed a “head butt” and a slow blink of my eye.
Take care of all our family and tell them that I’ll try
To be the one that greets them first, when they come, by and by.

Love and thanks for being such a good mom,
your SHiva