FINALLY!! Vet client magazine endorses home testing/lo carb

My vet clinic has a magazine sent to their regular clients quarterly called Healthy Pet. The Spring 2010 issue features Cloris Leachman on the cover, in case any of you get this as well.

My copy has been sitting on my table for a week or more since I got it. Tonight during an upchuck episode from Gandalf I reached for the nearest durable catch-all, this magazine. I flipped it open to have as much coverage as possible and the words, "Handling Diabetes In Pets" kept me from putting it down.

I figured it would be full of the usual diabetes mumbo-jumbo, especially regarding cats. Far from it. The following emphasis mine:

"In cats, high protein/low carb diets are ideal. Cats are normally intolerant of high-carb diets and have a much higher protein requirement than dogs. Most diabetic cats SHOULD EAT CANNED FOODS, as they improve the action of insulin and are better suited than dry foods to help manage high blood sugar levels."

"Newly diagnosed cats require basal insulin - which is more slowly absorbed after injection and results in a more steady state of insulin throughout the day - combined with a high-protein and low-carb diet. WITH THIS TREATMENT PLAN, CATS EXPERIENCE A HIGH RATE OF DIABETIC REMISSION THAT MAY DO AWAY WITH THE NEED FOR INSULIN INJECTIONS."

"A lot of veterinarians encourage pet owners to help manage their cat or dog's diabetes by taking blood samples at home using portable, handheld glucose meters. Doing so allows vets to obtain accurate measurements of the dog or cat's blood sugar levels in the home environment while the pet is more relaxed." flip_cat

How about that! Even though they didn't name the insulins which best contribute to remission, this is so far and away better than past treatment recommendations. And since the magazine is sent to pet owners more people may take home testing as the rule rather than the exception of treatment.

I am very very encouraged. BTW, this was written by Dr. David Bruyette DVM, DACVIM, medical director of VCA West L.A. Animal Hospital. I wonder if he knows Dr. Lisa??

BTW, if your clinic doesn't have anything like this sent to you, please ask them about "Healthy Pet." They can individualize for your pet, including schedule of exams, etc. And Gandalf only puked a little foam after eating grass. :lol:

 

Thanks for sharing this. I found a digital version of it too at http://www.healthypet-digital.com/healt ... &u1=friend

 

Well how about that! I wish my 'specialist' would read that article!

 

Be like me.....every time I see an interesting article (or even a post here on FDMB), I fax it to my vet! I have just printed this article & faxed it over to her office.

 

Thanks for posting this!

 

That reminds me Kelly, please PM me her info and I will see that she gets informed.

 

LOL your wish is my command :lol: good luck! dancing_cat