New to Diabetes

Hi Everyone,
My 7 year old Mr. Peanut was dx with high sugar level diabetes. I had blood work and Urine cultures done and everything else checked out good. No infections no ketones in Urine. Thank heavens. I was free feeding him and at one time he was over 20 lbs. He as since lost weight and is now down to 15lbs. Dr wants him to be at 12lbs. I started to noticed changes in him about 3 months ago then a couple of weeks ago he started having trouble walking on his back paws. I assumed it was the litter that was sticking to his paws and between the pads. We where very diligent with cleaning them out. I started looking online to see what if anything could help him. And the light bulb went off. I took him to the vet this past Sat and after a huge bill. It's diabetes.
The Dr. wanted him on insulin right away. But from my research about diabetes that his is high sugar which is Type 2 can be controlled by weight loss and low carb wet food. Dr. wanted to prescribe Lantus and that is over 300 if you are lucky. When I suggested other alternatives she gave me a funny look and dismissed it. But the researcher in me said "No there has to be something out there".
Any suggestions?

 

Welcome! There's a lot of help available here. Please post all your questions on the main health forum where they'll be seen by more people. Here are a few pointers to get you started:

1. The best food for diabetic cats is low carb canned food. Grocery store brands like Friskies and Fancy Feast pates are fine but no sauce/gravy types - too high in carbs. Remove all dry food from his diet. Get the diet switch accomplished before starting insulin because that alone can have a significant effect on blood glucose levels.
2. The best thing you can do to keep your kitty safe and know how he's doing is to learn how to test blood glucose at home. You can use a human meter. The Walmart ReliOn types are used by many people here.

 

Welcome! That sounds a lot like how my boy, Maury started off. You will find lots of great advice and people here to support you and your kitty!

 

Welcome to you and Mr. Peanut. I remember how overwhelmed I was when I received Jersey's diabetes diagnosis. The good news is you've found a great place to get help. After switching to low-carb canned food and a few short months on insulin (Lantus), Jersey went into remission. She is now a diet-controlled diabetic kitty. We have lots of great tips here for testing, feeding, and finding cheaper sources of insulin. Just make sure you ask whatever questions you have. (Here's the link to the main health forum that Kris mentioned.)

 

Does that sound right to everyone else? 12 pounds is only 60% of his previous weight. Mr. Peanut should not be Mr. Porker but I'd love to see Noah put on a pound.
It's not unusual for Mr. Peanut to have litter problems if he's peeing a lot, most of us have gone through this. You're in the right place, there's so much to learn here and you're not alone.

 

Since Saturday I have changed his food and have been limiting the amount he is getting. I no longer offer dry food. He gets feed wet Fancy Feast Classic flavor 1 can in the morning and 1 can at dinner. He is drinking normal. And his litter habits have changed to no more huge amounts at one time. To where the litter can not soak it up. He still has Neuropathy in back paws. But is moving around so much better than a few days ago. I am in the process of getting a meter to test at home and have a appt. this Sat to show me how to admin insulin. Dr is placing him on Novolin at my request. I believe this may be a chase of diet control. But will keep you posted.

 

Litter // When we had 9 cats we used supermarket litter for the cost. Changing to Purina Maxx was actually cheaper in the long run because the clumps were much smaller. I refused to believe "Light" litter could be light but it really is, no more pulled shoulder muscles.
Neuropathy // Do you know exactly what Mr. Peanut has? It's my understanding the word Neuropathy can cover a lot of things. I have neuropathic pain the same as phantom limb pain. Doctors know it's real but there's nothing practical they can do about it.
Diet Control // If this works out I really need to know how you did it. Turning a fat cat into a slim cat can be a challenge so when I say I'm pulling for you on this it really is sincere!

 

To help with the neuropathy, give vitamin b 12 methylcobalamin. I get capsules of it on amazon and sprinkle it on the food. Good job switching the food.

 

BTW if you want to try the longer working for lantus, many here order from marks marine pharmacy in Canada for half the price. We can give you info on that if you want it.