Newly diagnosed diabetic cat

Hello, my name is Rosemary and my 15yo(approx as he was a stray) Ollie has been diagnosed diabetic. And as expected, I am in turmoil. Tears, ups, downs. The first two weeks Ollie was prescribed 1 unit vetsulin 2x every 12 hrs and showed some improvement, however, not enough. So I am currently injecting two units every 12 hrs. He still seems very lackadaisical, but was never a big mover and shaker. My husband and I are wondering how long before we see a little improvement in his moods. His next vet visit is Wednesday May 23. Any thoughts, suggestions, or just plain moral support?? Thanks.

 

Welcome! So sorry about the diagnosis but you've come to the right place.

Suggestions are no dry food, just low carb wet. Most of us feed fancy feast classic or Friskies pate foods.

Learn to home test. It's the best way to keep your cat safe and find the appropriate dose. Dosage needs can change suddenly. It's important to test. I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.

 

Welcome Rosemary. It's difficult in the beginning, but it gets easier. What are you feeding Ollie? It's recommended to feed low carb wet food, many of us feed Fancy Feast classics pate and Friskies pate. Diet can make a huge difference. Are you home testing? Please read the yellow tagged info and stickies at the top of the forums. Make a signature and set up a spreadsheet so others can see about Ollie and his numbers, and help you help Ollie. Big hugs! Start posting your questions in the Main forum.

 

I am so sorry to hear about the current situation that your cut is into. I would like to suggest this good article from Pets WebMD, I am hoping that this can somehow answer your questions.

https://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/feline-diabetes-symptoms-treatments-prevention-diet#1

 

Am feeding the vet recommended science diet md, which I have come to understand is not the best. Though, I have also purchased fancy feast classic and am undecided what to feed at this point.

 

If it's the MD wet food it's fine just expensive. If it's the MD dry it's too high in carbs. (About 14-16%.... You want to feed under 10... Under 7 is better).

 

Welcome! The md is higher in carbs (13 per Dr Lisa’s chart) than the Fancy Feast Classic pates (2-3) If you aren’t home testing, do not switch food as the lower carb could drop Ollie’s blood sugar. If you are testing or are willing to learn(it’s very easy) then the food switch may help get Ollie regulated.

 

Welcome!

 

Thanks everyone, I feel better already. I am feeding canned md, I did mix with fancy feast. No, I do not home test yet. I was going to discuss with vet at appointment on Wednesday. If any one can give me a quick run down on what to buy for home testing I would greatly appreciate it. He was back to his usual head butting demands for food this am, so that was a little encouraging. Forgot to mention he is on high blood pressure meds and has been due to his weight issues. He was on good old science died wd to try and control his weight. Also, going blind not sure if due to blood pressure or if vet missed the diabetes when I had him tested in February. Thinking maybe new vet.

 

I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC.

I prefer to use a pet meter, but most people on the board use a human meter because the strips are much cheaper.

go to Walmart and get

1. Relion micro or confirm meter

2. Box of 100 extra test strips

3. Box of 100 26 or 28 gauge lancets

4. Cotton cosmetic rounds

5. Neosporin ointment with pain relief

6. A treat for you

 

Thanks. I sometimes need step by step instructions when overwhelmed. Today is our wedding anniversary and we are taking the day off from stress. Tomorrow, however, off to Walmart. Thanks, thanks, thanks.

 

Happy wedding anniversary! Do watch Janet's video. There are also other videos on YouTube for testing and injecting insulin. I watched several, and reviewed info here on the board. We were not adept at first, I called us Laurel & Hardy. But Rosemary, it was important, so we kept trying, and got better. I use a warm rice sock to warm Idjit's ears, he likes that very much. When we started to get a handle on the situation, and relaxed a bit, so did Idjit.

 

Thanks. I will take this step by step. Baby steps. Am feeling more confident with all the help everyone is giving.

 

Hello, well I got the home testing kit, however, have not tested yet. Still a little nervous, and getting accustomed to the insulin injections. Will definitely get onboard with the home testing. My main concern tonight is Ollie’s insulin dose agar. He was tested at vet’s office on May 23 and had a glucose spot check of 210mg/dL approx four hours after his injection of two units. When I look at the glucose levels online this seems to be in the okay range, or am I wrong?? The vet increased his insulin to three units, and he promptly threw up his dinner. So I decreased to two and about a half units. The vet(the original vet was just a fill in) new to the case also changed his food to wd. And I know this stuff is not the best. As soon as I get the home testing started, I will probably change foods. Right now I am just questioning the increase of units of insulin. Any thoughts out there.

 

hills WD or MD? BECAUSE wd is not for diabetic cats..... That one is 25% carb!!!!! Return that food right away.


If it was my cat here's what I would do.
1.

Skip the perscription food. The one he is selling you is not for diabetic cats. Feed a low carb wet food such as fancy feast classic or Friskies pate.

2. Reduce back to 2 units. Raising in whole units is too fast! 3 units is a really high dose for a newly diagnosed cat, especially if you haven't mastered testing yet !!! The recommended starting dose is 1 unit twice a day, and is raised in 0.25-0.5 units increments as needed. You may find do that 2 units is even too much. While the +4 reading of 210 is still high, (normal range on a pet meter us 68-150, and on a human meter 50-120) it may be reading falsely high because of vet stress. It also may have dropped further over the next two hours. Home tests are more accurate!

3. Get going on learning how to test! So glad you are on board with that. I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.

 

Rosemary, come on over to the Main Forum and start a new thread. More eyes and people to answer questions, address concerns and allay fears. Read, read read all the yellow tagged info and stickies at the top of forums. There is a link to tips for new members at the end of my signature. Some info there on a different insulin, but essential info there too.

 

My husband and I were YOU, about a month ago!
No more tears, confident. Test at home. Was very concerned about modifying vets advice & dosing. However, now with the support of this forum. (shout out to JanetNJ for testing expertise +!!!!) I make educated & gut level changes & decision.
From a newbie:
1. Listen to advice & resources here, I defer to these guys over vet
2. Do home testing ( absolutely. It gets easier)
3. Give only moist food recommended here and in Dr Pierson's food chart

Ive learned that unless Rusty's BG goes dangerously low and I am not able to administer honey, syrup etc, I can handle this and small mistakes on the learning curve are not livebor death. Best wishes