Welcome to the first draft of the VIP (vet information project).  Jamie and Boots have worked long and hard on the files below and ask for your assistance with review and distribution.  But Jamie puts it better - so here's her own words:

A note from Jamie and Boots, sponsor of the VIP

The Vet Info Pack (VIP) for Diabetic Cats is ready for (preliminary) vet and FDMB inspection!

What is the VIP for Diabetic Cats?

• The VIP is a set of documents that your vet can distribute freely to all patients. There is no charge for the VIP. You can give this to any vet, not just your vet (hint: we can teach the whole veterinary world about rebound and home bg testing!)
• Most vets simply don’t have the time or money to self-publish informational materials for their patients. We’re going to eliminate the time/money factor. This is on OUR time, and these materials are FREE for the taking. (Well, paper and ink aren’t free, but hopefully a vet’s office can afford paper and ink.)
• We have so many wonderful resources on the internet. Not everyone has access to the internet. Not everyone knows how to use the internet. The VIP is meant to be printed out and distributed as hard copy (that means "on paper" for those of us who aren’t journalists).

Um, I hate to burst your bubble, Jamie, but this stuff is written in layman’s terms.

• Yup, everything is designed so that a "regular joe" can read it and learn about feline diabetes. Remember, these documents were made with the intention that "vet gives packet to newly diagnosed patient."

What’s with this "preliminary" thing?

• I want feedback. I want feedback from you and your vet. I want vets who hate home bg testing to look at this information and say, "hey, maybe home bg testing isn’t so bad."
• Please feel free to email critiques to me. I probably won’t be able to reply to individual emails, but I will read each and every one. I’ll try to use critiques to make the VIP better. Both you and your vet are welcome and encouraged to provide feedback for making the VIP better.
• I welcome corrections of typos, corrections of erroneous information, suggestions, constructive/unconstructive criticism, bluntness, rants, raves, cursing/strong language. Please keep praise to a manageable minimum. ;-)
• Here's the email address for critiques.

Some of this stuff looks suspiciously anti vet.

• Sorry. That’s why I need feedback. I don’t want to alienate any vets. I want this stuff to be approachable without offending anyone’s professional dignity.

Some of this stuff looks suspiciously like stuff I’ve already seen.

If you are part of the FDMB, you already know everything that’s in this packet. We’re getting this stuff out to the people who don’t know it. The VIP contains information from:

• Bob & Simon 
• Diana & TC
• Janet & Binky
• Laurie & Jasper (GA)
• Lisa & Gorb
• Melissa & Popcorn (GA)
• Nancy & Harry (GA)
• And the whole FDMB contingent, past and present, who’ve contributed in spirit.

Why is everything in .pdf format? I want a nice Word document!!

• Adobe Acrobat Reader is free and available in many platforms. I want this to be available to PC users, Mac users, etc... Acrobat was the most obvious choice. Plus, you don’t have to worry about "reformatting" everything to look nice on another program.

Are you telling me I HAVE to download the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader if I want to see this stuff?

• Yes (please forgive me).

This is the ugliest font I’ve ever seen.

• Me too! It’s Helvetica.

So, here's the contents of the VIP to date - ready for review!  If you don't have Adobe Acrobat installed, follow this link to download and install (its free, no worries):  

For all feedback/ideas/critiques - use this form to send your comments straight to the VIP author (or send via email to this address  VIPforDiabeticCatsAThotmail.com):

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