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carmen830

carmen830

Member Since 2017
I started on the intro forum and someone suggested I come on to this one as well. Here is my story - and please excuse the long post! I copied and pasted from my original posts from yesterday:

Hi, my name is Carmen. I am the proud feline mommy of three wonderful cats and one dog. My reason for coming on this site is because I came across it when one of my kitties was diagnosed with diabetes. My baby boy Tigger who is now 12 1/2 years old was diagnosed with diabetes last October, 2016. Prior to this, my boy was always pretty healthy except for when he was 2 years old, he had a urinary blockage. He was successfully treated and was put on a prescription diet food for urinary problems. He was on this food for a few years and did fine. But after a couple of years, when I saw how much weight he was gaining and how well he was doing otherwise, I decided to try different foods to see if I could control his weight. Well, after a few different foods, I finally put him on a food that he did well on and was starting to lose some weight. Fast forward to March 2016 and he was blocked again. He was again, successfully treated but put on a different prescription food and a few months later, he was starting to lose a lot weight, started urinating a lot and was excessively thirsty. I told me husband I had a suspicion that he was diabetic. I took him to the vet and as I suspected, his glucose was at over 450. He was put on Lantus (glargine) 1.5 units twice a day. He was also put on a prescription food (Hills CD) which is the brand that I feel in my heart made him diabetic. I started giving him that prescription food and his sugars were topping at over 600. I called my vet, said I wanted to stop that food asap. My cat has always been a dry food eater. I now know that this type of diet is not the best for cats, period. Converting him to wet food took a lot of patience. The prescription wet food spiked his sugar immensely. I tried lower cost wet food, FF pates, Friskies pates and he loved them but they made him throw up a lot. At my wits end, I then started googling, researching, and read about Young Again food. I tried it and it started to work for awhile but I'm noticing that his sugars are spiking again. He is now on 2 units Lantus twice a day. I'm really not seeing an improvement. I started adding boiled ground chicken and he loves it, but could this be what is spiking his sugar? For a brief time, there were days that I didn't have to give him insulin for one of the shots but he would need the other. The lowest his sugar level became was maybe in the 80s but it didn't happen much. I tried going without the added boiled chicken and just giving him the Young Again but his sugars were still spiking. He was also constantly wanting that boiled chicken! I'm afraid I may have created a monster when I started giving him the boiled chicken but he looks so fragile and is so hungry all the time now that I feel really bad not giving him the chicken. He also still eats the YA. He's due for his exam again in August as well as his curve which I do at home but I'm just hoping for some advice. I'm so sorry for such a long post. He's my heart and I'm really trying my best to get his numbers somewhat regulated but nothing that I am doing is working anymore. Is ground chicken not good? Is there a better protein that I can boil and give him? He's eating the mature zero from Young Again. The canned food although he loves he throws it up. I've tried chicken, turkey with giblets, mixed grill all of them pates and within a few minutes of eating it he throws it up. Regardless of amount. Also I always check his readings before giving insulin. These last two weeks I've noticed though that his numbers are at 350-400s. So that's why I was wondering if it was because of the boiled chicken that I'm giving him too. He has a water fountain he drinks from and a bowl too. He's good about drinking water no issues there. I'm going to do his curve soon to see if I can get a better idea of where he's at. I uploaded a file that has all of the curves that I have performed on Tigger since he's been diagnosed. Each curve is separated by tab in the bottom of the excel sheet. Thanks again everyone that has taken the time to respond.
 

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Hello Carmen and Tigger! :)
I think some of your food questions have been answered on your Intro thread but I wanted to give you some links to get you started using the message board!
First; setting up your Signature with some information about Tigger will be very helpful as you continue to post and second; it's where the Spreadsheet (SS) link will go, should you decide to use one. HERE are instructions to understand the SS.

Can you tell us Tigger's current diet? Everything he eats and when ;). How long has he been on the 2.0U dose? When was the increase from 1.5U to 2.0U? Do you test for ketones?
 
Thanks Yong. I uploaded his curves that I've done to date. Were you able to see that? Tigger eats boiled chicken 2x/day and he has the Young Again Zero Mature out to munch on throughout the day. He drinks water from his water fountain and water bowl throughout the day as well. I do not check for keytones b/c I have two other cats at home and it is just not easy to do so. At his last vet visit, ( ~3-4 months ago) his blood work was run including fructosamine. He was also tested for keytones at that visit and he did not have any. His bloodwork was actually pretty good. Kidney function, liver function all good, including thyroid. His fructosamine showed he was having sugar averages in the 300s so that's about when his dose was increased to 2 units twice a day.
 
carmen830 said:
I started on the intro forum and someone suggested I come on to this one as well. Here is my story - and please excuse the long post! I copied and pasted from my original posts from yesterday:

Hi, my name is Carmen. I am the proud feline mommy of three wonderful cats and one dog. My reason for coming on this site is because I came across it when one of my kitties was diagnosed with diabetes. My baby boy Tigger who is now 12 1/2 years old was diagnosed with diabetes last October, 2016. Prior to this, my boy was always pretty healthy except for when he was 2 years old, he had a urinary blockage. He was successfully treated and was put on a prescription diet food for urinary problems. He was on this food for a few years and did fine. But after a couple of years, when I saw how much weight he was gaining and how well he was doing otherwise, I decided to try different foods to see if I could control his weight. Well, after a few different foods, I finally put him on a food that he did well on and was starting to lose some weight. Fast forward to March 2016 and he was blocked again. He was again, successfully treated but put on a different prescription food and a few months later, he was starting to lose a lot weight, started urinating a lot and was excessively thirsty. I told me husband I had a suspicion that he was diabetic. I took him to the vet and as I suspected, his glucose was at over 450. He was put on Lantus (glargine) 1.5 units twice a day. He was also put on a prescription food (Hills CD) which is the brand that I feel in my heart made him diabetic. I started giving him that prescription food and his sugars were topping at over 600. I called my vet, said I wanted to stop that food asap. My cat has always been a dry food eater. I now know that this type of diet is not the best for cats, period. Converting him to wet food took a lot of patience. The prescription wet food spiked his sugar immensely. I tried lower cost wet food, FF pates, Friskies pates and he loved them but they made him throw up a lot. At my wits end, I then started googling, researching, and read about Young Again food. I tried it and it started to work for awhile but I'm noticing that his sugars are spiking again. He is now on 2 units Lantus twice a day. I'm really not seeing an improvement. I started adding boiled ground chicken and he loves it, but could this be what is spiking his sugar? For a brief time, there were days that I didn't have to give him insulin for one of the shots but he would need the other. The lowest his sugar level became was maybe in the 80s but it didn't happen much. I tried going without the added boiled chicken and just giving him the Young Again but his sugars were still spiking. He was also constantly wanting that boiled chicken! I'm afraid I may have created a monster when I started giving him the boiled chicken but he looks so fragile and is so hungry all the time now that I feel really bad not giving him the chicken. He also still eats the YA. He's due for his exam again in August as well as his curve which I do at home but I'm just hoping for some advice. I'm so sorry for such a long post. He's my heart and I'm really trying my best to get his numbers somewhat regulated but nothing that I am doing is working anymore. Is ground chicken not good? Is there a better protein that I can boil and give him? He's eating the mature zero from Young Again. The canned food although he loves he throws it up. I've tried chicken, turkey with giblets, mixed grill all of them pates and within a few minutes of eating it he throws it up. Regardless of amount. Also I always check his readings before giving insulin. These last two weeks I've noticed though that his numbers are at 350-400s. So that's why I was wondering if it was because of the boiled chicken that I'm giving him too. He has a water fountain he drinks from and a bowl too. He's good about drinking water no issues there. I'm going to do his curve soon to see if I can get a better idea of where he's at. I uploaded a file that has all of the curves that I have performed on Tigger since he's been diagnosed. Each curve is separated by tab in the bottom of the excel sheet. Thanks again everyone that has taken the time to respond.
Click to expand...
Were these curves done at home or at the vet?
 
The curves were done at home. He gets very stressed out when outside of home so the vet was very comfortable with me performing them at home where he was relaxed.
 
Hello,
My diabetic kitty is Tigger too!

I just wanted to weigh in on prescription food. Not one article I've read recommends them! If fact they have said to avoid them. My Tigger was on Hill's Prescription Z/D for skin allergies and it's SO high in carbs! Since switching to Fancy Feast and decreasing his prednisolone, his numbers have gone down dramatically. So much so, we dropped his Vetsulin dose way down. My vet said the dietary and medication change might be enough to put him into remission but somehow I doubt that looking at some of his recent pre-shot numbers. He's still getting used to the lower dose so who knows? Thankfully, the FF has not set off his allergies and it has me thinking he didn't really need that food. I was paying $62 for a case of it and to think what I could have done with that money! Water under the bridge but I can tell you he won't ever be on it again!

Obviously you have to find a food your boy will eat and not throw up. There is a food chart somewhere on here that will tell you the carb to protein ration of foods so that will help you find a suitable one. I have read that "gravy" foods are to be avoided because they have a higher carb content.

I have only been here a short time and have learned so much by reading and these kind folks' advice. I am now much more confident and feel like I have a much better handle on things.
Stephanie
 
vbc2000 said:
Hello,
My diabetic kitty is Tigger too!

I just wanted to weigh in on prescription food. Not one article I've read recommends them! If fact they have said to avoid them. My Tigger was on Hill's Prescription Z/D for skin allergies and it's SO high in carbs! Since switching to Fancy Feast and decreasing his prednisolone, his numbers have gone down dramatically. So much so, we dropped his Vetsulin dose way down. My vet said the dietary and medication change might be enough to put him into remission but somehow I doubt that looking at some of his recent pre-shot numbers. He's still getting used to the lower dose so who knows? Thankfully, the FF has not set off his allergies and it has me thinking he didn't really need that food. I was paying $62 for a case of it and to think what I could have done with that money! Water under the bridge but I can tell you he won't ever be on it again!

Obviously you have to find a food your boy will eat and not throw up. There is a food chart somewhere on here that will tell you the carb to protein ration of foods so that will help you find a suitable one. I have read that "gravy" foods are to be avoided because they have a higher carb content.

I have only been here a short time and have learned so much by reading and these kind folks' advice. I am now much more confident and feel like I have a much better handle on things.
Stephanie
Click to expand...
Thanks Stephanie. Tigger was always a dry food addict. He just never liked wet food, no matter how much I tried. Before he was diagnosed, I tried and tried several different varieties and he would just sniff it, make the motions of covering it up with his two front paws and keep on walking. So when I finally was able to get him to eat some of the FF pates, I was thrilled. But unfortunately they didn't agree with him. He'd throw up within minutes. The same with the friskies wet pates and 9lives pates. The boiled chicken is what he loves and thankfully does not throw up. Maybe once in a while he will if he eats it too fast. But for the most part, he does keep it down. I just can't understand why his numbers started rising again. Especially being on this high protein/low carb food. He'd due for his check up in August so I have a feeling his dosage of insulin will be raised a bit if he continues this way. I also pray they don't find keytones in his urine on this visit. We'll see. For now, I'll keep trying and trying to keep my baby boy as healthy as I can. Fingers crossed.
 
carmen830 said:
Thanks Stephanie. Tigger was always a dry food addict. He just never liked wet food, no matter how much I tried. Before he was diagnosed, I tried and tried several different varieties and he would just sniff it, make the motions of covering it up with his two front paws and keep on walking. So when I finally was able to get him to eat some of the FF pates, I was thrilled. But unfortunately they didn't agree with him. He'd throw up within minutes. The same with the friskies wet pates and 9lives pates. The boiled chicken is what he loves and thankfully does not throw up. Maybe once in a while he will if he eats it too fast. But for the most part, he does keep it down. I just can't understand why his numbers started rising again. Especially being on this high protein/low carb food. He'd due for his check up in August so I have a feeling his dosage of insulin will be raised a bit if he continues this way. I also pray they don't find keytones in his urine on this visit. We'll see. For now, I'll keep trying and trying to keep my baby boy as healthy as I can. Fingers crossed.
Click to expand...
My Tigger was a free feeder on the dry prescription for years as well. I'm sure that and his long term prednisolone use caused the diabetes. I have learned that many things can raise their blood glucose.The reason I started home testing was because I was sure bringing him in for testing was giving him elevated numbers. Turns out it was true.

We are getting a new cat next year and I am worried about that raising his numbers but we'll see. He was very laid back last time we got a new cat so I'm hoping for the best. Do your best. As you can see from my SS, my Tigger's numbers were very high in the beginning but something good was happening because he stopped peeing and drinking so much and started gaining weight. Sounds like your Tigger is a lucky boy to have such a caring Mom. Keep at it, good things will happen.
 
I too no longer believe in these prescription foods. I wholeheartedly believe the Hills c/d dry caused his diabetes. Prior to this, he never had any of the issues he has now. Even the canned prescription by hills raised his glucose to the 600s! The one for sensitive tummies. Anyway I will continue doing everything that I can for my boy. Hopefully things will turn around for the best.
 
vbc2000 said:
Hello,
My diabetic kitty is Tigger too!

I just wanted to weigh in on prescription food. Not one article I've read recommends them! If fact they have said to avoid them. My Tigger was on Hill's Prescription Z/D for skin allergies and it's SO high in carbs! Since switching to Fancy Feast and decreasing his prednisolone, his numbers have gone down dramatically. So much so, we dropped his Vetsulin dose way down. My vet said the dietary and medication change might be enough to put him into remission but somehow I doubt that looking at some of his recent pre-shot numbers. He's still getting used to the lower dose so who knows? Thankfully, the FF has not set off his allergies and it has me thinking he didn't really need that food. I was paying $62 for a case of it and to think what I could have done with that money! Water under the bridge but I can tell you he won't ever be on it again!

Obviously you have to find a food your boy will eat and not throw up. There is a food chart somewhere on here that will tell you the carb to protein ration of foods so that will help you find a suitable one. I have read that "gravy" foods are to be avoided because they have a higher carb content.

I have only been here a short time and have learned so much by reading and these kind folks' advice. I am now much more confident and feel like I have a much better handle on things.
Stephanie
Click to expand...
Stephanie,
I think your drop from 2 down to 1 may have been too much of a drop. Consider trying 1.5
 
carmen830 said:
Thanks Yong. I uploaded his curves that I've done to date. Were you able to see that? Tigger eats boiled chicken 2x/day and he has the Young Again Zero Mature out to munch on throughout the day. He drinks water from his water fountain and water bowl throughout the day as well. I do not check for keytones b/c I have two other cats at home and it is just not easy to do so. At his last vet visit, ( ~3-4 months ago) his blood work was run including fructosamine. He was also tested for keytones at that visit and he did not have any. His bloodwork was actually pretty good. Kidney function, liver function all good, including thyroid. His fructosamine showed he was having sugar averages in the 300s so that's about when his dose was increased to 2 units twice a day.
Click to expand...
Yes I was able to see the curve numbers but they don't tell me much, the daily testing is way more beneficial. I don't agree with Fructosamine tests determining to raise a dose either, as they just tell an average. Daily testing tells you how low the current dose is taking him. So if you're up for it, get that Spreadsheet going so we can take a look :). For ketone tests, sometimes I have issues getting it from my boy and he's an only child! lol. I swear he'll hold it until I leave or am fast asleep :rolleyes:.

Did Tigger not like any sort of wet food? Have you tried the Fancy Feast purely natural Chicken in broth? They're listed as 0% carb but have the added vitamins that kitties need which aren't present in boiled chicken. While he's getting nutrition from the YAZM, it would probably still be good to get him on some wet food ;)
 
Hello and welcome :)

I understand completely your frustration over the food issue. I also had a kitty who would regurgitate all dried food.
I know vomit isn't the top of people's things to discuss but can you describe what it looked like?

If it was partially digested or came right back up then it's regurgitated food - generally this happens if they eat too quickly, so it may be Tigger was eating too fast and by feeding smaller portions you could avoid him throwing up, could be worth a try so you can feed a low carb wet food.
 
Yong said:
Yes I was able to see the curve numbers but they don't tell me much, the daily testing is way more beneficial. I don't agree with Fructosamine tests determining to raise a dose either, as they just tell an average. Daily testing tells you how low the current dose is taking him. So if you're up for it, get that Spreadsheet going so we can take a look :). For ketone tests, sometimes I have issues getting it from my boy and he's an only child! lol. I swear he'll hold it until I leave or am fast asleep :rolleyes:.

Did Tigger not like any sort of wet food? Have you tried the Fancy Feast purely natural Chicken in broth? They're listed as 0% carb but have the added vitamins that kitties need which aren't present in boiled chicken. While he's getting nutrition from the YAZM, it would probably still be good to get him on some wet food ;)
Click to expand...
Thanks for your advice. I've never heard of the fancy feast pure chicken in broth. I will look for it today. On everything I read, I understood just to try the FF original pates, nothing with gravies or sauces. I gave him some friskies wet pate this morning and this afternoon and thank goodness he has held it down. His number this morning preshot was at 450 but it could be because he had just eaten some of the YA dry food. I'll see where he's at tonight. Thanks again!
 
TempestsMum said:
Hello and welcome :)

I understand completely your frustration over the food issue. I also had a kitty who would regurgitate all dried food.
I know vomit isn't the top of people's things to discuss but can you describe what it looked like?

If it was partially digested or came right back up then it's regurgitated food - generally this happens if they eat too quickly, so it may be Tigger was eating too fast and by feeding smaller portions you could avoid him throwing up, could be worth a try so you can feed a low carb wet food.
Click to expand...
Sometimes he would throw up within minutes of eating so it could very well be that he ate too fast. This morning I gave him just a small amount and then again this afternoon a small amount and so far he has held it down thank goodness. I'm hoping his numbers just start improving. Fingers and paws crossed.
 
carmen830 said:
Sometimes he would throw up within minutes of eating so it could very well be that he ate too fast. This morning I gave him just a small amount and then again this afternoon a small amount and so far he has held it down thank goodness. I'm hoping his numbers just start improving. Fingers and paws crossed.
Click to expand...

Let's hope he does! :)
 
carmen830 said:
Thanks for your advice. I've never heard of the fancy feast pure chicken in broth. I will look for it today. On everything I read, I understood just to try the FF original pates, nothing with gravies or sauces. I gave him some friskies wet pate this morning and this afternoon and thank goodness he has held it down. His number this morning preshot was at 450 but it could be because he had just eaten some of the YA dry food. I'll see where he's at tonight. Thanks again!
Click to expand...
It's these:
upload_2017-8-6_0-28-8.png

Just try your best to take away food at least 2 hours prior to preshot test time so the number is not food influenced :).
 
I'm happy to say that I've been giving him the Friskies Pate variations and so far he has not thrown up even once. I've been mindful as to the amount. I am not putting down alot of food down at once b/c he will eat it all and that will probably make him throw up. His numbers have still been in the 400's though. I'm wondering if that's because I'm testing close to when he eats. I know the variation of Friskies Pate that I am giving him is not high carb so it cannot be the wet food. I'm confident that this will straighten out - I'm not giving up on him.
 
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