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Gabby

Gabby

Member Since 2015
My cat was just diagnosed yesterday with diabetes and has always Been on dry food. I am trYing to get her to go to wet food only. Just wondering if I should start insulin while transitioning or wait a few days and get her use to the wet food Then start insulin. Also is it possible with a diet change to wet food that diabetes would go down some. Gabby weighs 5pds so she is not overweight. just trying to get some advice. Thanks.
 
Switching food now is easier and safer. You're only changing 1 thing, not 2, so you can see what effect it is having. Others making a food change from high carb dry/canned to low carb canned have had 100-200 mg/dL drop in the glucose.

As a transition food, you may want to check out Young Again 0 Carb - they do samples if you call and talk with a rep. Long term, it is better to feed a wet food.
 
Welcome. Can you tell us a little more about sweet Gabby? How old is she? What insulin and dose did the vet prescribe? There is a lot of info on the site and people who can answer questions.
 
Yes Gabby is 11 and she is 5pounds. She is a normal acting loving cat. She started losing weight and that's why we went to the vet and and the vet prescribed lantus 1 unit every 12 hrs. Her level was 460. I haven't started it yet Cuz he is having me call around for pricing Cuz it is very expensive where i live but i hear its very expensive everywhere and I am also trying to get her on canned wet food instead of dry food. I am currently trying to figure out how much wet food to feed her. Sorry for the long spill. I think I might be a little stressed. Any help is muchappreciated. Thank you so much.
 
You might ask your vet about ProZinc, it's also a 12 hour insulin, but with more flexibility. I believe it may also be less expensive. But do call around to several vets offices as their pricing can vary quite a bit.
 
ProZinc and BCP PZI are both less expensive upfront. BCP will send your vet a free sample for you to try with this form.
Compare insulin costs per unit of insulin, though, not just the upfront cost.
Marks Marine pharmacy in Canada has good pricing pn both Lantus and Levemir compared to the US.
Also, check your local Craigslist for Lantus or Levemir. You may be able to get some for less there.
 
BJM said:
ProZinc and BCP PZI are both less expensive upfront. BCP will send your vet a free sample for you to try with this form.
Compare insulin costs per unit of insulin, though, not just the upfront cost.
Marks Marine pharmacy in Canada has good pricing pn both Lantus and Levemir compared to the US.
Also, check your local Craigslist for Lantus or Levemir. You may be able to get some for less there.
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I did finally find the lantus in vial for 195. they said there was 100 units per ml and it's a 10ml bottle I beleive he said it was a 1000 units in a vial. I would think that would last a while with only 1 unit twice a day. I guess that is if it works. That's if I understood what they told me. I will definitely ck out Mikes marine in canada. Also going to ask about the other medicines but the vet it very persistent on using the lantus. Thank you . I appreciate all the help.
 
Store the Lantus on a stationary shelf in the refrigerator. It should be useable for about 6 months before it starts to peter out.
Never roll, never shake the vial.
 
BJM said:
Store the Lantus on a stationary shelf in the refrigerator. It should be useable for about 6 months before it starts to peter out.
Never roll, never shake the vial.
Click to expand...


Just wanted to know have u or anyone u know ever personally ordered from the marks marine pharmacy in canada. I am just trying to make sure it really gives you what you pay for and its not something else Also the vet says it last about 9 months. Have u seen anyone who was able to see it last that long. Thanks
 
Several folks here have ordered from them and been very happy. I use ProZinc, but if I were switching to Lantus or Levemir, I'd order from them.
Home testing can show you if it is lasting past about 6 months. You'll need an inexpensive human glucometer such as the Target Up and UP or the WalMart ReliOn Confirm or Confirm Micro, matching test strips, and lances for alternate site testing (25-28 gauge).
 
Just did Gbaby's first blood glucose myself and it was 238. Haven't started the lantus meds yet. Going to start them tonight. Just was excited because it went from 460 on friday to 238 today with diet change of wet food only. I know that probably is just luck with that draw number but just wanted to share.
 
Glucose tests at the vet may be from 100-180 mg/dL higher than at home.
Changing the food to low carb from high carb may reduce the glucose 100-200 mg/dL.
What dose are you starting? 0.5 or 1.0? If more than 1.0, check here first!
 
BJM said:
Glucose tests at the vet may be from 100-180 mg/dL higher than at home.
Changing the food to low carb from high carb may reduce the glucose 100-200 mg/dL.
What dose are you starting? 0.5 or 1.0? If more than 1.0, check here first!
Click to expand...

I haven't started giving the insulin Yet because tonight she hasn't really wanted to eat. And I am so afraid of giving it to her and causing her more problems. Like it making her weak and stuff. So i want to make sure she is eating good. She ate good this morning but then would not eat again For dinner. She juSt now finally ate something. But when I do start it says to give 1 unit every 12 hrs.
 
Gabby said:
I haven't started giving the insulin Yet because tonight she hasn't really wanted to eat. And I am so afraid of giving it to her and causing her more problems. Like it making her weak and stuff. So i want to make sure she is eating good. She ate good this morning but then would not eat again For dinner. She juSt now finally ate something. But when I do start it says to give 1 unit every 12 hrs.
Click to expand...

I am getting ready to check her sugar again. Just wasn't sure whether to start insulin or not with her not eating the greatest this afternoon. She is acting and being normal. I think it's just maybe where she has been on dry food all her life and now is eating wet .
 
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Gabby said:
I am getting ready to check her sugar again. Just wasn't sure whether to start insulin or not with her not eating the greatest this afternoon. She is acting and being normal. I think it's just maybe where she has been on dry food all her life and now is eating wet .
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Just checked sugar and it's 227. That's after she ate.
 
BJM said:
How long has it been since you changed the food over to low carb wet?
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Well I been giving her wet food with dry for about 4 days and like 10 pieces of dry food in wet food Yesterday to try to make it appealing to her. Officially only had wet food since last night. I am trying to ween her slowly Cuz she is being little stubborn about her dry food.
 
Her glucose may come down a bit more with the elimination of dry food.
There is a low carb dry option - Young Again 0 Carb. While it doesn't provide the moisture content which is better for cats, it does get them on a much lower carb level (about 5% calories from carbohydrates).
 
BJM said:
Her glucose may come down a bit more with the elimination of dry food.
There is a low carb dry option - Young Again 0 Carb. While it doesn't provide the moisture content which is better for cats, it does get them on a much lower carb level (about 5% calories from carbohydrates).
Click to expand...


Good report. She ate only wet food Yesterday and today she ate wet food This morning. Do u have an idea of how long I should let her eat wet food before I start insulin. Thanks so much
 
Only a day or two, while watching her for any signs that the diabetes is changing (glucose numbers, food & water intake & output, dehydration, urine glucose/ketone checks - see my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools for details)
 
BJM said:
Only a day or two, while watching her for any signs that the diabetes is changing (glucose numbers, food & water intake & output, dehydration, urine glucose/ketone checks - see my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools for details)
Click to expand...


Thanks
 
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