Marty's diet.

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Ohcrafty1

Member Since 2017
Marty, 13 year old, has been on a diet for four months along with insulin shots twice a day and has not been loosing weight. His glucose is steadily coming down and the vet is happy with his numbers. We have decreased his food (Purina Pro-Plan DM) to 1/4 cup twice a day but still has not lost weight. In fact he has gained a pound over the last three weeks and acts like I am starving him. He is 20 pounds. Any suggestions?
 
Interesting. I think a lot of us have the opposite issue, trying to put some weight back on diabetic kitties :). Are you feeding wet food or just DM dry? As for him acting like he's starving that may be because with diabetic cats, they tend to feel hungry (even if they eat a good amount) because they're not actually able to absorb the nutrients as well to feel "satisfied". Would you be willing to share his BG numbers, insulin type, insulin dose, diet? So we have some data to look at :cat:

Hopefully more experienced members will chime in.
 
I will have to get the BG numbers. I dont remember what the are only that they keep coming down. He started out in the 700's and is down to like 190. The Insulin dose is 5 units ProZinc twice a day. 1/2 cup dry Purina Pro-Plan DM. 1/4 cup at each shot approx 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.. The bag said to give a cup a day for a cat 17-20 pounds. He did not gain but was not loosing. So now it is half the amount and he has gained a pound. I dont get it.
 
Ohcrafty1 said:
I will have to get the BG numbers. I dont remember what the are only that they keep coming down. He started out in the 700's and is down to like 190. The Insulin dose is 5 units ProZinc twice a day. 1/2 cup dry Purina Pro-Plan DM. 1/4 cup at each shot approx 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.. The bag said to give a cup a day for a cat 17-20 pounds. He did not gain but was not loosing. So now it is half the amount and he has gained a pound. I dont get it.
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The dry food, even though it's prescribed for diabetics is high in carbs. There are two versions of Pro Plan DM, a pate (lowest in carbs) and a chunky version (almost double the carbs of the pate). It's possible his diet is too high in carbs for good weight loss.

Another thought: several small meals a day might work better to promote weight loss. Vets often say feed only twice a day at shot time but many, if not most, diabetic kitties do better when their daily ration is given in several small meals.
 
Thanks for the info. I think I will pick up some can pate and see if that works. I know he will like the can stuff a hole lot better. I will also try to spread out his feedings and see how that works.
 
Ohcrafty1 said:
Thanks for the info. I think I will pick up some can pate and see if that works. I know he will like the can stuff a hole lot better. I will also try to spread out his feedings and see how that works.
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Many of us forego the expensive prescription food and feed Friskies or Fancy Feast pates (no sauce/gravy types - too high in carbs) and kitties are fine with that. Vets sometimes make a fuss but it's your decision.
 
The bag does say corn, soy and wheat as ingredients and those are just carbs. I read that those three ingredients are the worst for packing on the pounds. The 6 pound bag is like $36 for two months. I just wish I could find a cheaper Insulin. His costs $180 and lasts about 2 months. And then the syringes are another $35 for two months. Been looking for cheaper but cant seem to find any.
 
Ohcrafty1 said:
The bag does say corn, soy and wheat as ingredients and those are just carbs. I read that those three ingredients are the worst for packing on the pounds. The 6 pound bag is like $36 for two months. I just wish I could find a cheaper Insulin. His costs $180 and lasts about 2 months. And then the syringes are another $35 for two months. Been looking for cheaper but cant seem to find any.
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I'd seriously consider a switch to those grocery store foods. That will help your costs. HOWEVER: a switch to all low carb wet food might have a significant impact on blood glucose levels, dropping them quite a bit lower. He's on a large dose of ProZinc right now and you'd want to learn how to test BG at home so you can monitor carefully while you slowly switch food. It's quite possible that this large dose will be far too much insulin if he's eating only low carb wet food. The reduction in insulin dose might defray the cost of the ProZinc.

Here are the things you need to think about going forward:
  • a switch to all low carb wet food from grocery store (much less $)
  • learn to test blood glucose at home (much cheaper than leaving him at the vet's for a BG curve).
Home testing of BG is simpler than you think, will save you a lot of money in vet bills and is the best tool for keeping Marty safe on insulin.
 
If you change his diet (definitely be home testing) there is a chance he will need less insulin. $180, your vet sounds expensive. The few prices I've seen average about $125-$130 ish a vial. I have seen it online for $96. Strongly suggest giving him more wet food like Friskies pate or Fancy Feast pate, low carb varieties. No need to just buy the prescription foods. As for syringes, I initially bought the ProZinc container with 100 from the Vet so I could start right away but I just bought these are replacements: https://www.adwdiabetes.com/product/carepoint-vet-u-40-syringe-29g-half-unit_16363.htm

I also started out with leaving my boy 1/2 cup of DM dry in between meals (1/2 can twice a day before shot). I'm now down to 1/8 cup DM dry (I put it in his bowl after he finishes his meal and has his shot) which I'm switching him off of because I ordered Young Again Zero dry. You can look at my SS and see when I started cutting the DM dry down, his numbers are improving more :)

There's lots of resources to help you and your kitty here, feel better and some money saving tips! :cat:
 
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