Red update/frustrations

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Red'sMomHeather

Red'sMomHeather

Member Since 2015
I saw the vet today and I'm not happy. Red's numbers are atrocious. His caninsulin dose is now 11U 2x/day. I asked her "Is it possible that a different insulin would work better for him?" and she responded "No. It's his food. You have to change it or keep increasing the dose." She thinks the friskies is the problem despite his numbers initially being much better when I switched him to that from the prescription food. I'm dumbfounded that she won't even acknowledge the possibility of using a different insulin. She's insisting on caninsulin, insisting on the prescription diabetic food, insisted on the accu-chek (the test strips alone are bleeding my bank account dry). As soon as I left her office I went straight to a pharmacist and spoke to him about Levemir. For some reason I hesitated so I didn't purchase it, but I know it's there and how to get it at least. I'd like to start him on it when I have some time booked off work so that I can monitor him closely and frequently check his BG.

I don't know what happened last night but I forgot to give him his insulin. I'm assuming something related to this is why he's in a weird mood today. He wouldn't eat this morning so I force fed him via syringe. I would've tried something else but unfortunately I had to leave for work. He ate somewhat ok around 6 pm. When at the vets I picked up some forti flora and added that to the food and he seemed to lit it so I think that's why he ate. I got that because he's now had three separate bouts of unexplainable diarrhea.

This is basically just me venting, but as always I'd love any advice anyone is able to offer. :/
 
Where do you live?
And, give her the link to Cat Info and explain that prescription food which is no better than over the counter low carb canned cat food is not in your budget.
 
Personally, I'd be inclined to tell your vet to take a hike and find someone who either knows a little more or is at least prepared to learn. Caninsulin, as you know, works well in dogs but not so well in cats - I do think it might be time for you to try a different insulin as it looks as though it just isn't working for Red at all. Unless he has a whole bunch of food allergies, then there's no reason to switch him from Friskies back to the prescription food - the Friskies is not the problem here (again, unless there are allergies going on). I'd also be inclined to ditch the pet meter if you can't realistically afford the strips and replace it with a much more affordable human glucometer. Your vet might not like it but she can't actually stop you from treating your cat in the way you think best.
 
Sarnia, ON Canada

I've explained the financial situation. She doesn't seem to care or think it matters? I mean, I do always pay my bills so maybe she thinks I'm overestimating how little money I have. Not sure since she thinks $120 + tax on food for one cat per month is acceptable. They don't even lower the price if you buy a large amount like a case.
Linking the cat info is a good idea, though. Thank you.
 
I believe the meter most suggested here (can't remember the name atm ) isn't available here and I lost my passport so I've been trying to find someone to go to the US and pick it up for me. Think I have someone who can go soon.

It'd be one thing if she was sticking to what she told me while also at least discussing other options but her outright refusal is my biggest problem with her.
 
Red'sMomHeather said:
I've explained the financial situation. She doesn't seem to care or think it matters?
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I'm sure it doesn't matter to her while you're still paying. No doubt she could afford all that and more if she needed to - I've never met a poor vet yet! I feed 4 cats for less per month than she's asking you to spend on food for one - and that's not taking into account the cost of insulin, testing supplies etc.

Red'sMomHeather said:
I believe the meter most suggested here (can't remember the name atm ) isn't available here and I lost my passport so I've been trying to find someone to go to the US and pick it up for me. Think I have someone who can go soon.
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If you get stuck getting hold of one, let me know...we have a Walmart 5 minutes from the house here - I could pick one up for you and mail it to you.

Red'sMomHeather said:
It'd be one thing if she was sticking to what she told me while also at least discussing other options but her outright refusal is my biggest problem with her.
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I think that's the problem I'm having with what she's said to you as well. She's entitled to her opinion of course, but when you've told her you can't afford it she should at least be prepared to discuss ways that you can still treat Red's diabetes while reducing some of the additional costs - like overpriced food and test strips. My vet didn't agree with most of what I did, but at the same time they didn't try and tell me I couldn't do things the way I wanted to, they just made it clear that they weren't sure that everything I was doing was the best way to go about it in their opinion.

Red'sMomHeather said:
And as far as I know he has no food allergies.
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Then his problem isn't the Friskies. If it's such a horrible food then maybe she'd like to explain the number of us that get really good results from it!!
 
Have you thought about checking out other vets in Sarnia? At one time I considered switching vets (they were insisting on Caninsulin) and asked around, specifically what insulin the other vets used for cats. Before I switched, I lucked out and got a locum vet (now working there full time) who got us switched to Lantus and pointed me here. Red's dose and blood glucose numbers don't look to me like it's the food that's the problem.
 
HI! Fellow Canadian here. Here is a link to what I believe is the least expensive glucometer/strip option here in Canada.
If you purchase one from the US you are still going to have to deal with getting more strips and that might prove to be a more of a pain than it's worth. The strips for diabetes in Canada are a ridiculous price but our friends in the US get hit with higher costs for the insulin so we are all looking for ways to cut our costs.

http://www.medisureshop.com/category-s/1814.htm

For what it's worth, I'd be running for another vet's office as fast as my feet would carry me. Any vet or physician THAT closed minded (and behind the times!) is not worth keeping.
 
I took the board's advice when I was having problems with my vet and swtiched. I used the interview topics that BJM posted and found a WONDERFUL vet that has my Rudy in much better shape after two months than the previous one was able to do in 8 months. I understand your frustration and confusion. I wanted a vet that would work with me and respect the information I have gathered. My new one does just that. I am much happier now and so is Rudy. It may not hurt to at least call around and get a feel over the phone of another vet :-)
 
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Note: Those questions were all gathered here on the board from numerous members.
 
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