Vet Tech with newly diabetic kitty!

Hey everyone! Looking forward to some support for myself with my newly Diabetic cat, Darwin.

I am a veterinary technician, so I am hoping that will help me with some of the aspects of owning a Diabetic kitty, but I also feel even guiltier that my little man has Diabetes. He's my most STUBBORN cat that has been kibble-addicted since I found him over 5 years ago - he was starving and dehydrated when I found him, and still barely touched canned food!

I had recently read some of the articles on transitioning these guys to canned, and hoped to get him started, but not before he was just diagnosed with Diabetes (confirmed with labwork yesterday). My dog is on a raw diet, so it's been difficult for me to keep Darwin on kibble all these years, but nothing I had tried in the past had worked to get him onto canned or raw

He received his first dose of insulin this morning, and I am hoping to gain as much knowledge as possible to, hopefully, get him into remission!

 

Welcome to FDMB Tasha & Darwin. Being a veterinary technician will definitely give you a step up dealing with Darwin's diabetes.

I can empathize totally with the kibble addicted diabetic cat. I'd been trying to transition my sweety long before her diagnosis.....from 10 weeks of age when she joined our family but to no avail. For six long years I routinely offered her wet food first and watched her try to bury it like waste! Not long ago, just when I had all but given up the battle, I caught her pilfering wet food from her brother's bowl! I darn near fainted on the spot!

So chin up..... you'll get Darwin transitioned and as an interim measure, there are a few dry foods available in the states that are under 10% carbs and suitable although not optimal for diabetic cats.

Why don't you join us over on the Health Forum with any specific questions you have! When you post there, it would be very helpful if you could include a bit more information about Darwin like what insulin and dose he is on, what you are currently feeding him, any other health issues/medications. And if you are home testing, what kind of glucometer you are using.

Will be watching for you over on Health.

 

Thank you so much!! It's always a little worse when it's your own pet that is sick - I am so used to helping OTHER people's pets! But I feel like we're going to get on track with things, and get Darwin to feel better!!

 

Hi Tasha and extra sweet Darwin! Welcome to the best place you never wanted to be...

I have no doubt you'll get things on track quickly. What insulin are you using?

See you over in the Health forum!

 

Welcome Tasha and Darwin! See you over on the main health forum.

 

I am using Glargine at the moment. That's what we typically prescribe for cats, but after some of my own research; I see ProZinc might be a better choice...may have to have a discussion with my vet.

 

Actually, Lantus (glargine) works really well for many cats. ProZinc is good too. Post your questions on the main health forum.

 

Welcome Tasha and Darwin!
Will look for your posts on Main Health Forum