Vets requiring visit and tests for every insulin refill?

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Boston1980

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We have been diagnosed for 3+ years and have been using the same facility even previous to diagnosis. My original vet left the facility 2 years ago, and the one we saw after about another 7 months. Both these vets were knowledgeable and compassionate. I BG test at home, which they were impressed with and supportive of. We tried one kind of insulin and he became resistant to it. We moved on to the Lantus and he responded well, and when his levels were under control the prescriptions were written with refills for a year. We of course only needed a vial every 5 months, so when it was time for his check-up, they would do his fructosamine and BG and write us a refill. Since the second vet left we have not seen the same vet on any visit, and now they are telling me that he needs to come in for a fructosamine and exam EVERY time we need a refill. The expenses have now doubled for his medication and they are telling me that this is standard procedure. Their explanation is that "medication isn't dispensed to diabetic humans without examinations and tests." Can they possibly think that after 3 years he will suddenly reverse? Or is this a way for them to get more money out of me? I want to go to another vet, but i'm unsure if this is something that all vets do.
 
money...
They should write a prescription for a year of refills since he is a long-term diabetic and you are testing at home.

If they refuse - time to shop for another vet.

Might be a different case if you and kitty were new patients and new to diabetes... but with a long history at the clinic and evidence of good control (no trips to ER for low or high blood sugar problems) .. they should extend the courtesy of writing an annual prescription. They are not supposed to write a prescription for longer than one year without an exam.

But if you are home-testing and keep records of daily testing -- you don't need a fructosamine test either. Take in your log book.
 
Hi Boston,

Welcome to the board!

I'm wondering if you are in the Boston area? I'm seeing a lot of vet offices onthe South Shore being bought up by VCA. This is strictly a marketing ploy. Or as Phoebe said "money" based.

My vets give me scripts of Lantus cartridges for a year with no requirement to come in more frequently. There shouldn't be a need for a frucosamine if you are home testing. Just show your log.

Try getting a script for the cartridges - a little higher to start but much cheaper in the long run.

Since you are experienced and test, tell the vet firmly but politely what you want, need, or expect. They should respect a long time client. If they don't, please find another practice that wants to treat your cat.

Good luck,

Claudia
 
Are you using the 10 ml bottle of Lantus? The bottle does't last 5 months. It only lasts a month, maybe two, at the most. A few people can get a little more out of it but the bottle just loses effectiveness pretty quickly. Most people here use the Lantus SoloStar pens. They come in a box of 5 and is at least a 5 month supply since you use one pen each month. Your vet has to specify the SoloStar pens on the prescription. Use the pens like the bottle: insert insulin syringe into rubber stopper.

Great that you are testing bgs at home :thumbup There is no need to do an in-office curve or fructosamine test if you are already testing bgs levels at home. Just give the vet a copy of the bg levels. Lots of people here use an online Google spreadsheet for tracking bg levels and give their vet the link.

Are you in the Boston-area? Just guessing from your username :smile: I highly recommend my vet if you do live in the area :smile: You can send me a private message for the info.
 
I vote for your getting a new vet who is not a crook. It's all about money with too many of them.
If you are home testing, then why do you need to have the fructosamine test done? Just set up a spreadsheet in google, fill it in with all your home testing BG numbers, and take a copy to your vet. Your meter should be able to give you an average as well.

I don't think any container of Lantus still has its punch after a few months, and it's guaranteed for only 28days, so by 5months, that Lantus vial won't be doing much of anything. If you are giving a small dose, you would be better with pens or cartridges so you don't waste as much insulin.
 
They are trying to rip you off. You should be able to provide the readings from your meter and that should be sufficient. My meter is capable of downloading the readings to my computer and I just bring or fax a printout of the readings for the previous month if the vet needs it. If you want to download the readings you will need to purchase the data cable separately and you can call your meter's customer service center and they can tell you how to order the cable.

My vet knows I have extensive experience with diabetic cats and that I hometest. I did bring Ricky in for a vet check, but that was only because it was over a year since his last visit. My vet only asked me what his BG levels usually average and gave me a new script. Even when I brought him in the first time, since he had already been diagnosed and on insulin, they did not require the test. I just told them that I wanted to switch insulins from Humulin to Lantus and need a script for the pens. I did not have any issues with my vet to get the new script.
 
If my vet had seen Bandit within the past year, she did not require an exam or testing. I just sent her a link to my spreadsheet and the average of the latest two week period and that was more than sufficient for her.

When I switched to the pens, I got two packs, and Bandit went into remission before I finished off the insulin.
 
Thank you everyone! This information is very helpful, and I will be shopping for a new vet and asking for the pens from now on due to the current lack of cooperation on their part. The response, "well if you don't want to come in and have the test done, I guess you won't get your insulin" is inappropriate and downright cruel seeing how I told them I was going to run out and couldn't afford the tests and the insulin at the same time. Apparently they just don't care.
 
What area do you live in? (just post city/state or province) (or you can add it to your profile and it shows up over here ======================================================================>>>>>>>>>>>

Maybe someone lives nearby and could give or sell you a pen while you're looking for a new vet
 
I live on Cape Cod, MA. I'm ok for insulin for the moment, but i'd like to find a vet that is better and is not going to do this. The hospital is a VetCor hospital, which I don't believe it was when I started going there. The majority of the ones in the area are also vetcor associated so i'm assuming that they will have the same policies.
 
Do you ever vacation in Canada? If so, just go to a pharmacy and buy some Lantus. You don't need a prescription for insulin in Canada! (And it's much cheaper there: about half price from what it is here.)

In the meantime, good luck with finding a new vet!

Ella & Rusty
 
Just be sure that you get complete vet records for your furbaby. You should get copies of all doctor and technician notes and all blood panels that have been done. Then get a copy made for the new vet. And, keep the originals in a file with the rabies certificate.

Lots of vets don't give copies of the notes and bloodwork unless you request it. Remember you are entitled to these records.

I'm just a little ways off Cape - Middleboro. I don't have any recommendations on Cape, but I will check around.

Claudia
 
Hi Boston 1980,

Did you find a new vet? I did some research and found one on Cape and one off Cape. If you are still looking, IM me and I'll provide names and phone numbers.

Good luck

Claudia
 
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