Question
Different vets told me different things. Who do I believe?
Sunny, owner notes“I wish my dog lived as long as I do.”Updated
I'm an owner, not a vet. This is not veterinary advice, so check anything medical with your own vet.
Short answer
Ask the vets to explain why their advice differs, then agree on one plan. Ask each vet what they knew and what they were aiming for, then ask the vet in charge to put it together. Don't mix bits of different insulin instructions yourself. Your family needs one written plan and one person to call when something doesn't fit.
I never give insulin amounts here. Yours comes from your vet's written plan.
What to know at home
Sometimes the advice was for a different stage of the illness, or a different goal. Sometimes one vet just didn't have all the details. Send the same results, daily notes and medicine list to every vet, so you're not stuck passing messages between them.
What to write down
- The instructions that appear to conflict
- When and why each was given
- The current food and medicine routine
What to ask next
Ask what you should do today, which old instructions no longer apply, and who's organising the next check-up. If something urgent happens, go to the nearest vet or emergency clinic.
Sources
- Should I get a second opinion or change vets?Getting a second opinion
- Did my vet do the right thing?Asking your vet to explain a decision
- What should I write in a notebook for my diabetic dog?Keeping one set of notes
- Notes and curves to show your vetNotes your vet can use
- Can I change my diabetic dog's insulin plan at home?Why not to change the plan yourself
Every outside source I used is listed on the Sources page.
Related
Q&A
Should I get a second opinion or change vets?
It's okay to want another vet's view, and you don't have to prove your current vet is wrong to ask for one.
Q&A
What should I write in a notebook for my diabetic dog?
Food, mood, water, injection times and your questions. Keep it short.
Guide
Starting out with a diabetic dog
From the diagnosis to a settled routine: what the tests mean, what to ask before you go home, how insulin and supplies work, and what the first weeks really look like.