Vet refused to adjust insulin based on human meter

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Sibby16

Sibby16

Member Since 2020
Ugh. So to sum up our adventures over the last month we have been to 2 clinics (power outage) and 1 emergency with Sibby’s DKA and diabetic diagnosis. Our home care and insulin came from vet/clinic number 2 where a human monitor was acceptable. This was our backup clinic (the one we were sent to bc of said power outage at the first) and I really liked the care here but it’s a new facility for us so we went back to our first. Now fast fwd to follow up visit at clinic 1 and post first home glucose curve. The vet tells me he wants fur babe to stay and have another curve done that day, he won’t adjust her insulin based on my home readings since it’s a human meter, and she probably does need to go up a little bit from her 1 unit bid based on my readings. I have every single reading in a notebook since she came home over 3 weeks ago. He proceeds to tell me that I can do it again at home but I have to buy the pet monitor. I know monitors have a variance but have any of you experienced this with your vets? If it truly is the gold standard I will buy it in a heartbeat! We left without doing it since she was already 6 hours into her day and just did it with me the day before.
After this monitor discussion we talked about her diet. He was displeased that I changed her from his prescribed Hills w/d to fancy feast pate and we are introducing Dr. Elsey’s kibble. I was told this was a balanced nutrition. I shared that it spiked her glucose over 400 for multiple days. With the new diet she has been a steady around 217. She lost significant wt during DKA, was never overweight and needs to gain. Happy to report a gain of 6 oz :).
Sorry to vent here but I just felt so deflated by this, I’m hoping to help heal her but part of me felt like I appeared like I could be someone’s boat payment $$. Today I will be calling clinic 2, they have gained a new client. I have seen some threads on here about the effectiveness of human monitors and I see that most of us use them. I couldn’t have ever imagined I would have encountered something like this though.
Hugs-
 
Sadly we hear this same story all too often. Dont worry you are NOT alone. I def would go back to the vet who lives in the real world. Dont get me wrong the pet meters are GOOD meters the deciding factor for many that (have already laid out the coast and bought one) is that the strips are a dollar apiece...THAT adds up to a LOT of dollars.

Please know that this site is structured around human meters. We have helped well over 20,000 members with them. We ca can help you too!
You say you have written everything down. We would greatly appreciate you adding that info into one of these:
FDMB SPREADSHEET INSTRUCTIONS

With this info added to your spreadsheet you will receive quick, accurate help. We are very data driven here. The spreadsheet gives a visual that is second to none. It will only serve you in the future.

All that said...One of the best pieces of advice I ever got here is,"DONT FORGET TO BREATHE"

We'll get you sorted and Sibby on the right track. ;):coffee:
jeanne
 
I know how you feel! Our last vet didn't care about which meter we used but wanted us to have fortnightly fructosamine tests (£80-£100 a go!!!) After several negative conversations with the vet (and a rant about him on here) we moved vets and I have been much happier and calmer since.

I think there is almost an unspoken feeling that you must stay with the vet that diagnosed the diabetes but I actually felt more confident moving to another vets because I got to email them before and say right this is the deal... I felt on the front food moving to them, rather than the back foot with the old vets. I don't know maybe that's just me.

Please don't feel disheartened! You are doing a fantastic job and there is nothing wrong with human meters!
 
KyraCat said:
I think there is almost an unspoken feeling that you must stay with the vet that diagnosed the diabetes but I actually felt more confident moving to another vets because I got to email them before and say right this is the deal... I felt on the front food moving to them, rather than the back foot with the old vets. I don't know maybe that's just me.
Click to expand...
It's not just you, Jemma. Not by a long chalk.

The the vet I saw at the practice where we were registered with when Saoirse became diabetic point blank refused to run ANY diagnostics when I first brought her to them with obvious clinical signs that something was definitely wrong. I found FDMB, recorded her water and food consumption, went back to them and demanded they run diagnostics. After her diabetes was confirmed I was appalled by their attitude to her treatment. We moved to another practice, totally different approach and attitude. Things went much, much better thereafter. (Still with them.)


Mogs
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I have had 4 diabetic cats and always used a human meter for them. In fact, my vet gave me my first meter.

If your current vet is unwilling to work with you, I agree, that you need to consider changing vets. You are the one who is responsible for getting your pets the best care possible, so if your vet is not acting in your cat's best interest, then it is better to find one who will.
 
If you could set up a spreadsheet with your BG numbers from the last few weeks that would help us greatly and we can help you with dosing. Link at bottom of this post.
Are you testing for ketones in the urine? This is very important post DKA. If not buy a bottle of Ketostix from Walmart or a pharmacy and follow directions on the bottle.
You vet is completely wrong about the food. You are doing the right thing.
I agree with the others about finding a new vet who will work with you as a team helping Sibby.
Are you feeding up to 1 and a 1/2 times as much food as normal to Sibby. Lots of small meals during the day and evening? This is important post DKA.

SSLink. https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/

if you have any trouble setting up the SS @Bandit's Mom can help you
 
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