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**eileen** · 03-10-2010, 08:21 AM

Re: Things the new vet tells you about Diabetic pets......

I count my lucky stars that I do not have a vet 'like that'....

My vet encouraged home testing with a human or animal validated meter.

Is thrilled that I have learned to use Humalog as well as knowing how to adjust doses by readings that I see by home testing.

Knows anytime an antibiotic is required it as well as the underlying infection will most likely cause elevated bgs.

Is always interested in the latest 'incident' that may have caused something odd to occur.

When need be sits down and reviews my logbook of curves as well as everyday fastings.

Loves the fact that I am homecooking for Mildred as well as weighing her food instead of measuring.

.....so very thankful for my wonderful vet as I have heard horror stories from others with what their vets will say and do.

Eileen/Mil

**peggy0** · 03-10-2010, 09:31 AM

Re: Things the new vet tells you about Diabetic pets......

i'm moving to california

**dmarie** · 03-10-2010, 10:24 AM

Re: Things the new vet tells you about Diabetic pets......

I've heard the 'prescription food' jargon repeatedly. Blah!

I am fortunate that I have a vet that if they haven't heard of it says something more like, 'never heard of it, but, I will look into it.' (Makes up for the prescription diet bs - a little bit.)

-dm

**Patty** · 03-10-2010, 11:18 AM

Re: Things the new vet tells you about Diabetic pets......

Swing by and get me on your way Peggy

I have heard all the same things in addition to:

- You can feed at the same times you have been (8am and 5-6pm) but give insulin 12 hours apart.

- Whatever snacks you were using are fine.

- Curves vary day to day even under the same circumstances and with the same person so they are useless. We only do fructosamines.

- If you can't get blood from her ear the only other way is to draw blood from her vein and I can't teach that in one appointment.

Thankfully I had a vet I'd worked with in the past in another state who gave me tips on what to ask and research via email when Ali was first diagnosed. I didn't find the boards until Ali was 4 months in.

I do have a vet willing to work with me now. She was willing to look into adding R if needed and reviewed my bg journals. She helped me figure out foods that Ali may not react to as much and would research options when she doesn't know the answer. But I am the primary decision maker in Ali's care. And it's only through tons of reading and education from other pet owners online that I've been able to do this.

We saw 3 vets in KS before finding someone willing to do a curve before I could test (2 of which where Internal Med Specialists). 3 vets in IL (one head of an IMS vet program) and 2 others here in NY before finding her in our many moves. Becomes an $ search.

I think vet schools should hire Natalie to do seminars or webinars for covering the topic of canine diabetes

What do you think??

It's a big concern there are so many vets that really don't understand the disease well and how to treat it. I do wish we could change what they are teaching in the schools. There are some really knowledgeable and well-meaning vets out there that just aren't given the tools to treat this disease. It's frustrating.

And requires venting from time to time...

**BestBuddy** · 03-10-2010, 12:57 PM

Re: Things the new vet tells you about Diabetic pets......

A brand new vet fresh out of school was testing a urine sample of Buddy's for UTI and said to me

Bad news he has a nasty UTI
Good news he is not diabetic

Now that wasn't just good news it was amazing because Buddy had been diabetic for 4 years and now he was cured????????

He obviously didn't read the file and because the urine stick was negative he assumed wrong and made that stupid comment.

Jenny

**peggy0** · 03-10-2010, 01:07 PM

Re: Things the new vet tells you about Diabetic pets......

Hi Patty, it is amazing that this disease is almost treated by vets as a 'canned' solution. I think its a great idea to have Natalie do seminars!!! I think it would be an eye opener. I like Forbins Internist. She is pretty open minded and loves that I test at home etc. but I still get the, I've never heard of that and I treat alot of dogs'.

Jenny that is hysterical. I bet he was embarrassed

**eileen** · 03-10-2010, 01:17 PM

Re: Things the new vet tells you about Diabetic pets......

Back in 2005 Mildred had her gall bladder removed at U C Davis.
Last December when Mildred was very sick with high triglyceride levels my vet was discussing with me various treatment plans and ideas. He started talking about her gall bladder possibly being an issue...I sat there smiling, it took him a minute to remember she doesn't have a gall bladder.

He was embarrassed and laughed at himself.

Eileen/Mil

**Noodle** · 03-10-2010, 01:58 PM

Re: Things the new vet tells you about Diabetic pets......

I think we probably lucked out with our vet. I wouldn't say he has a tremendous amount of knowledge on treating diabetes, beyond the standard information they're taught. But he has been very open and supportive of us home testing and is willing to think outside the box when I come to him with information. He leaves the diabetes management to me and keeps on eye on everything else. He calls us his poster family for good doggie diabetes management. It's a good working relationship.

I think it would be an incredible resource for vets if Natalie had some sort of sponsorship to conduct seminars. She could be the first canine diabetes educator...like the human diabetics are able to access!

**peggy0** · 03-10-2010, 02:39 PM

Re: Things the new vet tells you about Diabetic pets......

that's hysterical eileen

**Patty** · 03-10-2010, 03:02 PM

Re: Things the new vet tells you about Diabetic pets......

LOL...wait til Natalie reads this thread and sees we've created a new job for her on top of everthing else she's swamped with!

**O'Riley** · 03-10-2010, 05:08 PM

Re: Things the new vet tells you about Diabetic pets......

Ooops, what did I miss?

Patty said: "You can feed at the same times you have been (8am and 5-6pm) but give insulin 12 hours apart".

What's wrong with this statement?

I've been feeding Riley at 8am, then giving him his insulin injection. He eats dinner at 6pm, immediately followed by his insulin injection. Am I doing this wrong?

**eileen** · 03-10-2010, 05:29 PM

Re: Things the new vet tells you about Diabetic pets......

Riley's Mom....

The feeding and insulin schedule needs to be 12 hours apart. If you're feeding followed by insulin at 8a/m Riley's dinner and insulin needs to be at 8p/m.
It's like splitting a 24 hour day in 2 equal halves.
In theory each injection lasts 12 hours. By giving insulin early in the evening it could overlap with what is already in the system from the morning injection. Then the p/m injection given early will not last until the next injection the following morning.

Eileen/Mil

**tabathasmom** · 03-10-2010, 05:46 PM

Re: Things the new vet tells you about Diabetic pets......

Oh'" That's funny... I've never experienced a Vet that didn't know what he was talking about. I have Tabatha on Humulin.
7:00am she gets breakfest WD then 5 1/2 units
12:30 pm she gets lunch WD
7:00 pm she gets dinner WD and 5 1/2 units
then about 10pm we have some carrots together
And she seems to be doing pretty good with that.

**tabathasmom** · 03-10-2010, 05:49 PM

Re: Things the new vet tells you about Diabetic pets......

[Re: Things the new vet tells you about Diabetic pets......]Oh'" That's funny... I've never experienced a Vet that didn't know what he was talking about. I have Tabatha on Humulin.
7:00am she gets breakfest WD then 5 1/2 units
12:30 pm she gets lunch WD
7:00 pm she gets dinner WD and 5 1/2 units
then about 10pm we have some carrots together
And she seems to be doing pretty good with that.

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