Netty N.
Member Since 2015
Hi everyone,
My ragdoll Jones was diagnosed in Jan. of this year, 5yo at the time. His numbers were in the 500's when it was caught. He started insulin right away, as well as "prescription" food from the vet's. I bought a meter, and did a couple of curves in the first few months per the vet's instructions, and he also had a couple of fructosamine tests. We settled in at 1.5u Lantus 2x a day, and a half wet/half dry diet. In late March, with his numbers still in the high 200's to high 300's, the vet said he was good and stable, and that I wouldn't have to test him again for several months. It still seemed so high to me, but Jones was acting better, and I was so overwhelmed with everything that I was happy to take the vet's advice and let it ride.
A week or so ago I did a search just to see if there were any treats I might be able to feed Jones, and I went down a cat nutrition rabbit hole, where I learned how important it is to get him on a new diet ASAP. I'm giving him a curve today just to get a baseline before I change anything (first 2 readings are 375 and 379). Then the plan is to cut out dry food starting tomorrow, and have him do just the prescription wet for a couple of weeks. I'll then switch him over to something new, but I haven't decided what yet (considering raw).
I emailed the vet to let him know, and he said ditching the dry shouldn't change his insulin need, and to recurve him in a month (With number that high I'm sure we're safe, but I will be testing him throughout). He also expressed reservations over a raw diet. I also understand that I need to be extra careful about testing when he switches to the completely new food.
So are my vet's methods pretty standard, or is there something really wrong here? I feel so bad that I could have done so much more for Jones so many months ago, but it never would have occurred to me not to trust the vet! Especially with something as common as diabetes - I can't believe that there is so much variation and debate over treatment methods. The high protein/low carb/frequent testing way seems so obviously better, and that's the method I'll be following from here on out, so why are there vets who are not on board with this?
I really appreciate this website, and it's so nice to have a community of folks who understand and have experience!
Annette and Jones
My ragdoll Jones was diagnosed in Jan. of this year, 5yo at the time. His numbers were in the 500's when it was caught. He started insulin right away, as well as "prescription" food from the vet's. I bought a meter, and did a couple of curves in the first few months per the vet's instructions, and he also had a couple of fructosamine tests. We settled in at 1.5u Lantus 2x a day, and a half wet/half dry diet. In late March, with his numbers still in the high 200's to high 300's, the vet said he was good and stable, and that I wouldn't have to test him again for several months. It still seemed so high to me, but Jones was acting better, and I was so overwhelmed with everything that I was happy to take the vet's advice and let it ride.
A week or so ago I did a search just to see if there were any treats I might be able to feed Jones, and I went down a cat nutrition rabbit hole, where I learned how important it is to get him on a new diet ASAP. I'm giving him a curve today just to get a baseline before I change anything (first 2 readings are 375 and 379). Then the plan is to cut out dry food starting tomorrow, and have him do just the prescription wet for a couple of weeks. I'll then switch him over to something new, but I haven't decided what yet (considering raw).
I emailed the vet to let him know, and he said ditching the dry shouldn't change his insulin need, and to recurve him in a month (With number that high I'm sure we're safe, but I will be testing him throughout). He also expressed reservations over a raw diet. I also understand that I need to be extra careful about testing when he switches to the completely new food.
So are my vet's methods pretty standard, or is there something really wrong here? I feel so bad that I could have done so much more for Jones so many months ago, but it never would have occurred to me not to trust the vet! Especially with something as common as diabetes - I can't believe that there is so much variation and debate over treatment methods. The high protein/low carb/frequent testing way seems so obviously better, and that's the method I'll be following from here on out, so why are there vets who are not on board with this?
I really appreciate this website, and it's so nice to have a community of folks who understand and have experience!
Annette and Jones
