Kenzo's Family

Hello we are Will & Laura and our 12year old Maine Coon (18.6lb) boy was diagnosed with FD 2/27/16 with a BS reading of 465. We noticed heavy water consumption and large urine output which prompted the initial vet visit. The vet gave us Hills wet and dry diabetic catfood to try and called human insulin to the pharmacy. She said if it were her cat she is not even sure she would treat him because of the maintenance involved. We were to pick up the insulin Monday and go back and learn how to administer it. However, after researching feline diabetes and finding this website, we decided the treatment plan we were given may not be the best option. We have switched to low carb FF wet food only in hopes of getting Kenzo's sugar down a little before starting insulin. This website has been so informative. We hope we are doing the right thing by not starting the insulin before diet modification.

 

Welcome. Yes I would first try a low-carb, canned cat food like Fancy Feast. Note that some varieties of FF are lower carb than others. He is a list of low-carb canned:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/shortcut-shopping-list-all-8-or-less-updated.117688/

 

Hi Will, Laura and extra sweet Kenzo! Welcome to the best place you never wanted to be!

I agree - food change is a really good place to start. Let's get you started testing at home too so you can see exactly what that's doing and keep Kenzo safe. I'm disappointed in your vet's response about maintenance - it's takes a bit to learn the steps to the Sugar Dance but when the 2 of you have found your rhythm together, it's not complicated at all!

We have a wonderful Feline Health forum to start asking any questions you may have!

Again, welcome!

 

Kenzo is the lighter color version of my boy. For a vet to say "maintenance" is to involved throws red flags to me. Especially if it was her own. God forbid what would they suggest??? Is that what she tells her patients. She doesn't want patients who need help?

Ok sorry for the rant.

Welcome, you will receive guidance here. Glad you are making the choice.

 

With cats in high numbers it is better not to wait too long to try control by diet alone. With home testing you should get a good idea fairly quickly - within days - of the impact of the new, lower carb diet on Kenzo's numbers. Be sure to test daily for the presence of ketones in Kenzo's urine using Keto-diastix or similar test strips (from pharmacies) especially while he is not yet receiving insulin. If Kenzo does test positive for ketones - even at trace levels - then let your vet know ASAP and look to start insulin treatment ASAP. (A build-up of ketones can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA); a potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes (and treatment costs are high).


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