They do indeed use similar testing kits R – I used to get the human ones from my neighbour and test Buster’s myself, and just take the dipstick to the vet! It is unfortunately a minefield when different vets have different ideas – I was horrified when my friends vet described hers as having months to live when his values were similar to Lucy’s – that was around March, when she went in May there was a locum who told her not to panic, his values were classed as early. She uses the practice I used to use, and the vet she initially saw was one I complained about for dismissing lumps that turned out to be mammary gland tumours! Creatinine is a better indicator, as raised Urea can be due to other things, such as infection or dehydration. Scales are a good idea – I bought baby scales rather than pet ones, they were about £50 from Argos but came in handy – when I got them, I weighed Buster before a vet visit, to determine their accuracy, and they were close enough to the vets. Ironically he didn’t mind being weighed at the vet, but hated it at home. Didn’t get far with Lucy though.
Glad the head vet seemed more practical about it, and testing to see which option is best for her is good, glad he also put your mind at ease about her weight not necessarily meaning something more sinister – although I can understand OH’s frustration! I hate receptionists who have issues with handing out blood test results – the branch I use are great, but the main branch are quite rigid. I completely understand they don’t necessarily have enough knowledge to know what some of them mean, but unfortunately I do. My old vets just refused point blank to give out print outs, my new ones seemed baffled when I was surprised at being offered a copy!
