3/15 Cleo PMPS 111; +2/122; +4/86; +5/82; +6/85

yesterday

3/14 Recap
AMPS 198
+2/154
+4/111
+6.5/130
+9.5/134
PMPS 266 (Back from vet)
+2/223
+4/245

I am so happy to see a blue number I don't think that vet stress could last that long. Cleo may be asking for an dosecrease

Cleo was pretty good at the vet. Tech and myself held her steady (I could feel her little heart pounding :sad: ). She doesn't fight you, and she may appear calm, but she is major stressed! Vet was able to look in both ears, and she cleaned both. But, the left one that was making the clicking sound, had big chunks of wax in it. She picked out the chunks. She said the area under the wax looked a little irritated, but not infected, so no AB! Said it could be from a food allergy and if it continued, she may need ear drops that could contain some steroids. Cleo has gained 1 lb since October! She is now 10.7 lbs.
I didn't think Cleo felt any different since the clicking, but as I type this, she is out on catio, rubbing & kicking an older nanner :lol: I haven't seen her play in a week or so!
On a sad note, I think I am going to find another vet. I could feel the coolness in the air from this one. She started off by saying, "Well, she could have a ruptured ear drum." Before she even examined her. Since Cleo's diagnosis, I have been much more vocal in her care, questioning, suggesting, and even refusing some of the vet's opinions. And I try to do it so very gently, without sounding like I don't trust her. Again, yesterday, she asked about doing a curve, and again I said I do a curve almost every day. But, since our meters were so off at Cleo's dental, she doesn't trust my meter. On dental day they tested Cleo OTD as I was taking her home, and I tested her as soon as I got home, and our meters were only 10 point difference. At the vet in AM (before dental) she was in the 400's and with the allowance, they were actually in range. But, I am so tired of explaining my actions and trying to educate politely. So, I think I will call around. I don't like the feeling that she wants me to fail with Cleo :sad:

Sorry for the long post, sending vines to all kitties and beans in need♥

Re: 3/15 Cleo AMPS 293; +3/221;+4/179 (long)

Hi Jane. Good luck with the vetty hunt, I know how difficult it is to feel that way. I kept telling myself I am paying them, not the other way around, so I should be happy with them :? . I'm happier with the new clinic that I've been going to the past year, since they do take some suggestions and seem to listen, although they probably have in my file that the bean is difficult along with the cat :lol:

I'm glad the visit went ok and that Cleo is ok, if stressed :sad: . Scritches to her for being such a good girl! And yay on the nanner play and blue . Have a great Caturday!

Re: 3/15 Cleo AMPS 293; +3/221;+4/179 (long)

I hope Cleo keeps sliding down. I'm glad she didn't need an AB for her ear. It was probably just a little irritated from all the wax stuck in it. Good luck finding a new vet. It is hard to switch vets. It took me a while to convince myself it was the best thing to do, but I needed a vet that I felt would listen with Furball's FD and one who seemed to know what she was talking about. I don't regret switching at all.

Re: 3/15 Cleo AMPS 293; +3/221;+4/179 (long)

Finding a new vet is frustrating, and I wish you luck. I hope you can find one that will be your partner and not act like they are above you. I'm glad Cleo doesn't need ABs and hope what's causing the irritation in her ears clears up on it's own.

Good report on her playing and feeling good.

Re: 3/15 Cleo AMPS 293; +3/221;+4/179 (long)

We're on vet #4 in less than a year, so I totally understand the frustration you're feeling!!

I was surprised that vet #2, 3 and 4 were willing to talk to me over the phone without seeing China which gave me enough information about how they treated FD to make the decision not to use #2 at all (told me info on the internet was useless and that it was totally untrue that there weren't good dry foods...and he could sell me some!!)

Vet #3 didn't know a lot about treating diabetes, but was willing to let me do "what I felt was best" (although the whole time telling me China would need at least 3 units and probably more to get her numbers better) so we stuck with him for awhile since he didn't pressure me to do anything I didn't feel comfortable with, but also didn't know much in the first place. I got to the point where I didn't feel much like teaching him his job when I'd offered many times to send him the information to learn more about it on his own, and he refused to look at it.

Vet #4 is a member of the AAFP, (American Academy of Feline Practitioners) so at least I was talking with a cat "specialist". It means an hour drive each way, but I feel more comfortable dealing with her at this point. She's still not quite sure about how I'm dealing with China's diabetes, but she can't argue with results, and when she see's the spreadsheets, she understands that I may just know what I'm doing. In this part of the country (lots of cows, so lots of large animal vets who see cats and dogs "on the side"), she's the best I've found ....so far anyway.

Good luck with your vetty search! The link I posted does have a "Search" feature that can help find at least vets who are members of the AAFP. Might be a good place to start

Re: 3/15 Cleo AMPS 293; +3/221;+4/179 (long)

I hope Cleo keeps on sliding down for you. Good to hear she's fighting an old nanner - hope she wins! :lol:

I'm pretty sure a lot of us have thought about changing vets since FD diagnosis. I thought about it but figured I could work with my vet as she is willing to learn. They probably consider me a bit of a high maintenance client with all the questions I ask. :lol: I just did the search on the AAFP website and was amazed to find that the older vet at the practice Neko goes to is a member. He's the one who prescribes Caninsulin and thought the acro tests I wanted done were "exotic" tests and a waste of my money. :roll:

Re: 3/15 Cleo AMPS 293; +3/221;+4/179 (long)

Wow Wendy, that's just frightening!!

Wonder if the AAFP has any way to police their members? Or what would really be great would be to see if they'd consider sending all their members information on the latest treatments for FD...Hmmm....that might be an idea :idea:

Re: 3/15 Cleo PMPS 111; +2/122; +4/86; +5/82

Thanks for that link, Chris. We have a "Cat Clinic" vet office about 30 minutes away, and their vet's name is not listed! I will still call them, and also a few others. My original vet from this office had left a few years ago, and I found that she is pretty close again. So, I have a few options to check out.

In the meantime, Miss Cleo has said, I don't want no dosecrease, momma :mrgreen: :lol: :mrgreen:

Re: 3/15 Cleo PMPS 111; +2/122; +4/86; +5/82

Go Cleo!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Yippee for the :mrgreen: !
And very nice flat green surf!!!
Well done, Cleo!

Good luck with the vet hunting, Jane.
It might be frustrating but it's also exciting!
I hope you will find the one you both like.