Simba newly diagnosed DM

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by christine/simba, Jan 22, 2015.

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  1. christine/simba

    christine/simba New Member

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    Jan 19, 2015
    My 14 y/o male absynnian Simba is newly diagnosed diabetic. I started low carb FF last week and prozinc insulin last nite. He is being very picky with the pates, had to give him temptation treats in desperation after the insulin. I am a nurse but haven't found that to be to great advantage so far Wish me luck in this new endeavor!
     
  2. Larry and Kitties

    Larry and Kitties Well-Known Member

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    Dec 28, 2009
    It is best to mix the old food with the new to help the transition to the new food.
    What were you feeding before?
    Good luck
     
  3. LynRich

    LynRich Member

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    Nov 30, 2014
    The very best of luck Christine xx
     
  4. phlika29

    phlika29 Well-Known Member

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    Sep 14, 2014
    Hi and welcome to the board. I think no matter how much you know about medical things when it comes to one of your own family (in the broader sense if the word) that all goes out the window.

    You might like to pop over to the main Health forum if you have any questions about the insulin. Have you thought about home testing simba's blood glucose? We recommend it as a way of helping to keep your cat safe.
     
  5. christine/simba

    christine/simba New Member

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    Jan 19, 2015
    Thanks everyone
     
  6. christine/simba

    christine/simba New Member

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    Jan 19, 2015
     
  7. christine/simba

    christine/simba New Member

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    Jan 19, 2015
    Def
    definately going to home test but vet visit insulin and syringes were expensive and haven't got a glucometer yet. Simba has always eaten only canned food with gravy! Which is apparently the highest in carbs! Who knew?? I have been avidly reading health forum and just tried heating the food in microwave and it worked for a few mouthfuls, again who knew? Thanks for the support everyone
     
  8. phlika29

    phlika29 Well-Known Member

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    Sep 14, 2014
    Here is a great link on hometesting

    http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/

    http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/feline-diabetes-home-testing-kits.60261/

    May I also ask what dose of prozinc is simba on?

    There is also a sub forum here for those members whose cats are using prozinc. One of the threads at the top of that forum talks about dosing

    http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/protocol-for-prozinc-pzi.109077/

    So the food was changed first before starting the insulin. You need to be a little careful if you start insulin and then change to a Lower carb food as this can lower their glucose and thus need for insulin. So the vet decided the dose based on the numbers they got after the change? I have no prozinc but am sure @Sue and Oliver (GA) can advise.
     
  9. Shelly & Jersey (GA)

    Shelly & Jersey (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Feb 1, 2014
    Hi Christine and Simba,

    I'm so sorry to hear that Simba has diabetes. The good news is that you have come to a wonderful place to get help. You're already getting lots of food advice from others, so I won't add to that right now. I just wanted to comment about testing.

    Most people on FDMB actually use human meters to test at home. One of the most popular brands in the Relion brand from Wal-Mart. They're relatively inexpensive, and the test strips are also more affordable than most of the other brands out there. Many vets try to convince clients to use the pet-specific AlphaTrak meter. They're expensive, and the test strips are about $1 each. I just wanted to mention all of this for when you're ready to purchase a meter. Don't let the vet convince you that you can't use a human meter.

    Please make sure you ask all of the questions you have. People here are great about sharing information, and we all understand how overwhelming it is to get the FD diagnosis.

    Shelly
     
  10. christine/simba

    christine/simba New Member

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    Jan 19, 2015
    All of you are wonderful! can you help me quit smoking too.?? Seriously, the sequence was the vet diagnosed him 1/15, I went home and started research, found dr piersons site and bought a lot of ff classic pate the next morning. had to wait until 1/21 until I had $150.00 for the prozinc. so, the vet dosed on testing done prior to starting the low carb food. vet was not receptive to idea of fancy feast or friskies and kept pushing Hills, did not seem concerned about low carbs but stated 2units twice a day w?as lowest starting dose of prozinc. i will get relion glucometer tomorrow, not looking forward to the ear stick thats for sure but have read lots of helpful tips here. he just had his third dose a little while ago and i mixed some of his favorite ff with gravy with some pate and heated it a little and he ate more than 1/2 the can thank goodness. it does seem the thirst and urination is improving even before starting insulin yesterday. this is a new vet for me and i liked her but she was a little pushy about the special diet food and the glucometer. when i went to pick up the insulin the tech told me they had been using a human glucometer until recently, i had to laugh.
     
  11. BJM

    BJM Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2010
    Nix on the dry M/D.

    I would drop the insulin dose to 1 unit so your cat doesn't become hypoglycemic by being dosed on pre-food change glucose levels and possibly die.


    A human glucometer with feline reference values works just fine. See my signature link Glucometer Notes for the reference ranges.
     
  12. christine/simba

    christine/simba New Member

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    Jan 19, 2015
    hi it wasnt dry it was the canned hills but i didnt get it anyway. i just looked at the prozinc protocol and am disturbed to say the least, obviously 2 units is not the lowest dose!!! it is too late to drop the dose tonite but i will definitely drop to 1unit tomorrow! meanwhile i just gave him high carb ff with gravy, he seems ok, thanks for the advice
     
  13. BJM

    BJM Well-Known Member

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    Oct 6, 2010
  14. phlika29

    phlika29 Well-Known Member

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    Sep 14, 2014
    Hi Christine

    Just keep an eye and simba and perhaps keep some of her old wet gravy based food down in case she goes low. If you have any concerns or indeed any questions on food, insulin etc start a thread in the main forum as you will get more eyes on your thread there. If urgent out 911 in the title.

    In the meantime if you aren't testing you might like to keep up the slow transition over to the low carb.
     
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