Vet appointment, how important...

[RobinHarley]

Some of you know who have seen some of my other posts our vet *just* started working with us... I thought I was going to have to change if he didn't. He didn't want us home testing, was doing lantus only once a day (once every 24hrs), said only d/m kibble or soft didn't like me switching to friskies, etc., well he began working with us finally...

Well... the past two weeks he has been okay with me sending my log into him via email, and adjusting his insulin that way. The last email I received with an adjustment also said "I cannot do this again without seeing Harley in office. I need a trough BG test by me and a weight in office".

Our scale and the vets scaled weighed exactly the same, he even had me check it out...

These BG and weight at the vet cost me $25 and I just can't do it right now. Is this usual or time to go back to our old vet?

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

I haven't been back to the vet for China's diabetes since she was first diagnosed over 5 years ago.

The people here know more than the vast majority of vets when it comes to dealing with this disease so I chose to listen to them over a vet that only got a few hours of education in school.

It sounds like this vet is going back to his "do it my way or the highway" thinking.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

If you are testing the BSLs and can weigh at home, I can't see why the vet would need to see Harley so soon again.
Some vets are not comfortable with owners taking "control" of the management of their cats FD.
In my experience, the more the vet knows about FD, the more he is happy for you to take over the testing and dosing.
My vet didn't want to see us unless we had an issue I wanted to discuss. He was happy with me testing and changing the dose and just wanted to know the dose when we saw him.
What you need is a vet who will work with you in partnership for the best outcome for Harley......mutual respect.
Only you can know if this vet is the one............if not, then change.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

Some vets are not comfortable with owners taking "control"......mutual respect.

In every profession something has backfired when too much faith was put in an "amateur" and in this case the vet could be made to look bad. Really though, how much faith do you need to trust someone enough to read a meter or use a scale?

I haven't been back to the vet......5 years ago.

Same here. We do more than give our animals love, we demonstrated common sense, a willingness to learn and admit our mistakes. It's that simple and a vet who can't see that now probably never will.
No this is not usual. Why put yourself through this grief?

 

[Larry and Kitties]

One thing to consider is the vet's time. I consider that a vet should be compensated for their time for reviewing BG numbers and determining if dose should be changed. For a week or two after a vet visit a vet may do the review for no cost since some "free" follow up is expected after a vet visit. I myself do all my dose changes without consulting my vets.
I did go to an internal medicine specialists since my MurrFee's BGs were high at very high dose (>10 units twice daily).

 

[Ana & Frosty (GA)]

So as a health professional myself I have to say they first and foremost it bugs me a LOT when members here badmouth vets. They ARE educated on diabetes and do have experience with diabetic animals. Just because their methods are different doesn’t mean they should be discredited. And especially if we want vets to come here and learn our ways, posts that are disrespectful to vets will surely drive them away.

Now that I got that out of the way. It’s hard to say whether your vet is trying to make sure his services are being paid for, which is OK even if you’re doing the testing if he’s overseeing things... or if he’s trully not comfortable with someone home testing, but i wouldn’t just jump to the conclusion that jean trying to unjustly take money from you. Even as a health professional myself, I have gotten incorrect tests sometimes on my cat sometimes due to not getting enough blood, etc.

There are 2 ways to approach it. You could discuss with the vet why he is concerned to try to come up with a compromise. $25 isn’t that much for a visit compared to what I would pay my vet for a curve or even a consultation. However, if the goals of your vet and yours and plan of treatment don’t coincide, it might be worthwhile to try another vet.

We just have to remember that the vets are following a standard of care, and the standard of care exists for a reason. MOST cat owners will not be able to follow the protocol or do extensive testing like we do here. We are a very special group. Thus, the vet’s concerns about glucose and insulin adjustments are completely justified, as too much insulin can be a life threatening emergency.

That’s my opinion on the matter.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

when members here badmouth vets

I often run my mouth about clinics but I should be more specific. All of us here who really care got self educated in a big hurry and are open to new ideas. What drives me nuts is when I calmly and rationally point something out to a tech who cannot accept that they may be wrong about something. I rarely see my vets and like me many people have their first interactions with either a receptionist or a tech. My primary vet is beyond frustrated with her techs inability to make decisions on their own and the fear of offending a customer.
Both of my vets "see something" in me; I come and leave with detailed notes, I admit mistakes like when the dog has gotten into the garbage, I give them the impression (I don't think you can fake this) that I know what I'm doing and I know what to watch for. It's the poor vet who is made to look bad when the caregiver cannot accept that diagnosis is very hard, tests cost money and a clinic is not Best Buy where you can ask for a deal or wait for a better day.
Remember that a veterinarian is an actual doctor and that cats and dogs are terrible patients who cannot communicate, usually hate travelling and hide their pain very well. It's often beyond the vet's control when it comes to pricing policies, testing guidelines and what their staff does when unsupervised. They are also ethically obligated to do what is best for the animal, not your ego or feelings.
My last point. We've all seen idiotic and cheap pet owners so how can your vet know you don't fall into this group. And how should any doctor react when someone tells them "I saw something on the internet that is the opposite of what you're telling me". Respect runs both ways and the world is getting to be a nasty place. If I was a vet I'd run out of here tearing my hair out at some of the things people say.

http://www.criticalcarevet.ca/im-veterinarian-make-mistakes/

 

[majandra]

Like all health professionals, there are varying degrees of ability. Very few purposely try to do things just for money.
A good relationship is earned- we need to prove to our vets that we know what we are doing, and say when we don't. And show evidence to our opinions and have rational discussions based on it.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I am a health professional too. When I was training (many years ago) we were told time and again by our lecturers that we must always listen closely to what the mother is saying because she knows her child best and she can tell you important information that no one else can. I think that applies to our furry kids as well.
I think when choosing a vet you need to find someone who you feel you can trust, will respect what you say, will have you as part of the team working to help kitty, and who has good knowledge about FD or is willing to learn.
As with all walks of life, there are good and bad., and we know from some people who arrive at the forum desperate for help that some vets do not know much about FD or have not kept up with the progress that FD treatment has made in more recent years. I think as well there are many great vets out there too.... mine included.
You are your kitty’s advocate so I think we should always go with our gut instinct.
Just my opinion.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

My gut instinct saved Andrew's life. As his poppa bean I was the one mopping up his green-yellow puke and every test came back negative. I had to stand my ground, made sure the vet understood money wasn't an issue and made it clear I didn't expect a miracle. Andrew lived a long time after that.
The vet trusted me and respected my idea that Andrew was very sick even though I had no idea why. We worked together.

 

[JanetNJ]

Some of you know who have seen some of my other posts our vet *just* started working with us... I thought I was going to have to change if he didn't. He didn't want us home testing, was doing lantus only once a day (once every 24hrs), said only d/m kibble or soft didn't like me switching to friskies, etc., well he began working with us finally...

Well... the past two weeks he has been okay with me sending my log into him via email, and adjusting his insulin that way. The last email I received with an adjustment also said "I cannot do this again without seeing Harley in office. I need a trough BG test by me and a weight in office".

Our scale and the vets scaled weighed exactly the same, he even had me check it out...

These BG and weight at the vet cost me $25 and I just can't do it right now. Is this usual or time to go back to our old vet?

Is the fact that you use a human meter what is concerning him? Maybe he would trust your numbers more with a pet meter.