Hello from Australia

[Kaz and Boo]

Hi, I have a 15 year old insulin dependent part Burmese male cat who was diagnosed in 2010.
I look forward to sharing my experiences and hearing other similar stories and hopefully also receive some useful advice.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Welcome.
What are you feeding? A low-carb canned is best. No need for prescription food.
Are you testing you cats BG at home using a human meter? most of us here do. We test at least before each shot.
What insulin are you using

 

[Kaz and Boo]

Thank you, on vet recommendation I've been feeding 50% dry MD and 50% canned such as Dine, fancy feast etc twice daily and administering caninsulin 30 mins later. I have not home tested previously, and take him to vet for fructose curve every 6 mths which apparently tells them what his blood sugar has been doing for previous 4 wks. He has mostly been in the normal range.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Hello Kaz and supersweet Boo Boo, and welcome to FDMB
I'm sure you'll soon feel at home here.

If the fructosamine tests show Boo Boo has mostly been in the normal range then it sounds like he has responded well to the Caninsulin.

If you have any questions do pop over to the main health forum.
There are other members here from Australia who can help if you need Oz-specific advice (or who you can chat to if you just want to say G'day )

Best wishes,

Eliz

 

[Kaz and Boo]

Thanks for the warm welcome Eliz I look forward to future discussions and advice.

 

[phlika29]

Hi and welcome from one Burmese owner (slave) to another

Another member from Australia @Andi&Mr.Pip has just joined and you may like to say hi. Have a look around and ask all the questions you like.

 

[BJM]

Welcome to FDMB.
You'll find some useful reference material in my signature links for Glucometer Notes and for Secondary Monitoring Tools.

 

[Deb & Wink]

Would you please tell us what your vet considers normal?

The Fancy Feast foods in Australia are made with cereals so they are high in carbs.

Please do not switch cat foods until you are home testing! A switch to a lower carb food can drop the BG (blood glucose) levels 5.5 points mmoL (100 points mg/dL) and we want to help you keep your kitty safe and prevent hypoglycemia.

 

[Kaz and Boo]

Hi and welcome from one Burmese owner (slave) to another

Another member from Australia @Andi&Mr.Pip has just joined and you may like to say hi. Have a look around and ask all the questions you like.

Thank You! Yes, slave is right but I wouldn't change him for the world!

 

[Kaz and Boo]

Welcome to FDMB.
You'll find some useful reference material in my signature links for Glucometer Notes and for Secondary Monitoring Tools.

Thank you, I will check these out

 

[Kaz and Boo]

Would you please tell us what your vet considers normal?

The Fancy Feast foods in Australia are made with cereals so they are high in carbs.

Please do not switch cat foods until you are home testing! A switch to a lower carb food can drop the BG (blood glucose) levels 5.5 points mmoL (100 points mg/dL) and we want to help you keep your kitty safe and prevent hypoglycemia.

Thanks, for now I've switched to md wet, as I mentioned in the health forum we are now dealing with a secondary complication of a stomach ulcer and am reluctant to make significant changes to his diet in case it causes aggravation.

 

[Deb & Wink]

Thanks, for now I've switched to md wet, as I mentioned in the health forum we are now dealing with a secondary complication of a stomach ulcer and am reluctant to make significant changes to his diet in case it causes aggravation.

Oh no Karen! That stomach ulcer that Boo Boo has sure does complicate things. If you add that to your signature, that would be helpful information for us to see. Hope you will consider doing this.

The Hill's M/d wet is an ok option for a diabetic cat. There are lower carb choices, but with Boo Boos's other health issues we understand why you are sticking with that food. Hope he continues to eat well for you.

 

[mary herold]

Thank you, I will check these out

 

[BJM]

It'll help folks give you feedback if you add a few tidbits to your signature.

Editing your Signature

In the upper right corner of the screen, within the dark blue bar, you will see ID, Inbox, and Alerts

Click on your ID.

On the left, under Settings, Click on Signature.
This is where you will put information that helps us give you feedback.
This is where you paste the link for your spreadsheet, once it is set up.
Add any other text, such as
your name,
cat's name,
date of Dx (diagnosis)
insulin
meter
any other pertinent issues like if there are any food issues, history of DKA, hepatic lipidosis, pancreatitis, allergies, IBD, etc.
Click the Save Changes button at the bottom.

Always click the Save Changes button at the bottom when you have changed anything.

 

[Kaz and Boo]

Thanks deb and bjm, thought I had saved my signature, it is done now.
5am this morning observed mild hypoglycaemia due to only feeding wet last night I believe, made decision to return to 50/50 dry md/wet md and vet recommends 2/3 insulin dosage for time being. main thing is he's eating well so hopefully ulcer getting under control.

 

[BJM]

Something which happens to renal kitties is a lot of GI upset, so there is stuff written up about coping with it at Feline CRF. Options may include Slippery Elm bark and Aloe Vera juice. You might find it helpful to do a bit of reading over there.

 

[Kaz and Boo]

Thanks, that is most helpful. He will need to have a blood test to confirm diagnosis, we have had 2 full days with no vomiting on the Carafate now and am just getting the blood sugars back under control.
Are you aware if the m/d wet and dry is high in phosphorus?

 

[phlika29]

Can I just make a comment on the carafate. My cat took his for a suspected ulcer /way of preventing an ulcer when he was vomiting a lot and took a lot of meds. It worked really well and he was in it for a fair while (before diabetes).

I mentioned this drug recently to my vet as I was considering trying if again for my cats acid reflux but the vet said that it may affect his blood glucose as it contains disaccharide sugar and sucrose among other things. I am not saying you should in any way stop this medication as the stomach ulcer needs treating but to be aware it may increase blood glucose and you might need to react to this.

Are you home testing at all? How often do you give this drug? Dose? How long will he likely be on it?

 

[Kaz and Boo]

Hi fellow Burmese slave! Interesting about the carafate I didn't know that. He's on .25g twice daily 30 mins before food, apparently to put a bit of a lining on the stomach before eating. its only been a couple of days, hes had 6 doses so far. I'm not home testing, Boo has a fructosamine curve every six months I mostly regulate according to his behaviour. I know this may not work for everyone, but the vet says nobody knows your cat like you do and after nearly 5 yrs managing him I think I'm doing a pretty good job. I'm interested in the home testing option however and need to gather info and options as I only want the best for him. Your cat is beautiful, he looks like mine!