Diabetic cat limping

[William Rufo]

So my cat the last couple weeks wasn't walking badly but I can tell his leg was starting to limp a tiny tiny bit. Yesterday it turned to full blown limping. The thing is he's drinking a normal amount of water (under a cup of day) and his appetite is normal and he is very alert, willing to be playful. The vet suggests it may just be a sprain but to keep an eye on it. I'm concerned it maybe hyperglycemia effects from having off and on BG highs.

 

[TheBowHuntress]

While I don't know your cat's story, and don't see a spreadsheet to refer to, it could also be Diabetic Neuropathy. Is he newly diagnosed with feline diabetes? Which insulin is he on, how often given, and dosage? Are you hometesting? What does his diet consist of? I know those are a lot of questions, but it would be helpful☺There is a supplement you can give him if it IS neuropathy. It worked for my cat (only took about 1.5 months AND when his diabetes was fairly regulated) and has worked for many others. It is called Zobaline For Cats, and can be ordered here: https://www.ilifelink.com/zobaline-for_diabetic_cats-3_mg_x_60_tablets.html

 

[Squalliesmom]

It could also be a potassium deficiency, also easily treatable with a dietary supplement, but your vet would need to do a blood test to diagnose it.

 

[William Rufo]

He's had diabetes since last April, he's very off an on with BG numbers when we go to the vet. We are switching from DM dry go fancy feast chicken tomorrow, his latest insulin dose of Lantus is 5 units.

 

[Olive & Paula]

Careful when stopping the dry. They can go very low very quickly. Careful monitoring is a must.

 

[Squeaky and KT (GA)]

He's had diabetes since last April, he's very off an on with BG numbers when we go to the vet. We are switching from DM dry go fancy feast chicken tomorrow, his latest insulin dose of Lantus is 5 units.

Oh PLEASE PLEASE test at home BEFORE making this change, especially since you're on 5 units - that's a LOT of insulin. Switching from dry to wet will make a huge difference in his glucose numbers. We don't want a hypo situation for you to deal with. To share why this scares me so much, this just happened yesterday/today: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/found-in-coma-in-the-morning-help.154669/

They were only following their vets advice. Stress of travel and just being at the vet will raise glucose levels even by 150-200 points making a vet test completely unreliable.

HUGS!!!

 

[Squalliesmom]

He's had diabetes since last April, he's very off an on with BG numbers when we go to the vet. We are switching from DM dry go fancy feast chicken tomorrow, his latest insulin dose of Lantus is 5 units.

Please transition him gradually, over the space of several days, and make sure you monitor him closely! I cannot stress this enough - a switch, especially a rapid one, from high carb to low carb food can cause a dangerous drop in blood glucose, leading to potentially deadly hypoglycemia. If you are not home testing I don't recommend you make the switch at all! Wait until you start home testing to make serious dietary changes!

 

[TheBowHuntress]

It is GREAT that you are going to transistion to low carb wet food only if hometesting. PLEASE start hometesting....it is imperative to keep your boy safe. If you cannot or will not hometest, it would be wise to NOT start him on a low carb diet--leave him on the DM. 5 Units is a lot of insulin, however, there have been cats who have hypo'd on 1/4 (yes, a quarter....just a few drops) of a unit! With a diet change, his insulin needs will most likely go down, but you won't know that unless you are hometesting. The equipment needed is not expensive: a human glucometer, lancets, test strips and a tube of triple antibiotic (generic neosporine is fine). We will help you in any way possible.