Decision help please

Status
Not open for further replies.
shawna

shawna

Active Member
I am so confused! I spoke to Teddy's vet...she is such an amazing vet.
But she said the change in food from low carb fancy feast and pro plan to the K/D canned food is not the reason his diabetes is back....
But his numbers have been stable eating the other food for months! and four days into eating this new food his blood sugar numbers went into the 400s!!
Am I missing something? I respect she is the doctor, but I don't understand how the food isn't the reason? Especially since it was directly after switching food.

She said to give 2 units twice a day. But I feel I learned a lot here and I am going to go with my gut and from the information I learned here last time...i will give him what he needs based on each pre-shot again.

And if you were in my situation would you stop giving the k/d food, even if the vet still recommends I give it to him? She said he could still go into remission like he did with the diabetes from this insulin support - but to give the insulin and still feed the k/d to help that.

Sincerely unsure.....
But I have a feeling from all I read I should give him the other low carb food again...I just get scared that I will not be helping his kidneys...this is so difficult.
 
It’s so hard when a vet says something we know is wrong. I think we all want to believe them because they went to school and are supposed to be an expert. It would be hard for a vet to say, “oops. I just made a recommendation that gave your cat diabetes. Sorry.” So I can understand why she would want to believe the two aren’t connected.

It’s okay to go with your gut and with what you have learned about FD. The food is definitely a factor. It’s possible there is a secondary factor as well, but if it was my cat, I would go with the easiest change first and get him off that food right away.

Someone gave you the link to Tanya’s site on your other thread. That is the best information about CKD in cats and she gives a lot of information about food. The k/d is not necessary, and not even the best option for a cat in early stages of CKD.

You can definitely find a food that will be healthy for his diabetes and gentle on his kidneys at the same time.

As for dose, I’d stick with the one unit, monitor closely, and make the food switch. Monitoring will let you keep an eye on if he needs more or less than that.
 
Djamila said:
It’s so hard when a vet says something we know is wrong. I think we all want to believe them because they went to school and are supposed to be an expert. It would be hard for a vet to say, “oops. I just made a recommendation that gave your cat diabetes. Sorry.” So I can understand why she would want to believe the two aren’t connected.

It’s okay to go with your gut and with what you have learned about FD. The food is definitely a factor. It’s possible there is a secondary factor as well, but if it was my cat, I would go with the easiest change first and get him off that food right away.

Someone gave you the link to Tanya’s site on your other thread. That is the best information about CKD in cats and she gives a lot of information about food. The k/d is not necessary, and not even the best option for a cat in early stages of CKD.

You can definitely find a food that will be healthy for his diabetes and gentle on his kidneys at the same time.

As for dose, I’d stick with the one unit, monitor closely, and make the food switch. Monitoring will let you keep an eye on if he needs more or less than that.
Click to expand...

Ok thank you so much, this is what I needed to hear....about the food and insulin.
I just wanted to make sure because I respect and love Teddy's vet....I just can't understand how the food couldn't be the reason this happened, because of how it happened exactly after switching food.
I'm going to read up on the kidney information today...and I'm going to stop the k/d....I just was scared to stop it without any feedback because the last thing I would want is to not do the best I can for teddy...I don't want his kidneys to get worse. It's just stressful because I want to do everything I can for him of course.
Thanks a million and I'm glad I can find other food that will help his diabetes and kidneys ! xo
 
The food sales people are SO good at 'training' the vets that their foods are special and are developed just for a specific illness. Some of the companies even give the vets 'training' credit if they listen to their sales pitch. No need for that high carb k/d - go back to what you were doing, you had it right!

Tanya's site is so full of information it's hard to take it all in for a bit. Dakota's been in kidney failure for 2 years but seems to have stabilized about stage 3. Some days he doesn't feel well but other days he acts like a youngster rather than a 16 year old sweet old man.

HUGS and hugs!
 
In some of the larger vet clinics it may not be the vet who decides what goes on the shelves. The vet comes in the back door, someone in a power-suit dragging a leather case on wheels comes in the front. They try hard not to make eye contact with the people waiting for real help.
We usually already know what our cats need. Don't get fooled, keep an open mind, believe in yourself.
:banghead: :coffee: :bighug:
 
That would be a scary book. When my wife asks how I know what to give all I can do is rub my head where my dosing software is stored. When he ate, what he ate, how does he look, what colour are my socks today? Techs who graduated yesterday are naïve at best and annoying when they wright down everything you say.
 
srk3cats said:
I heard that vets have a chart for dosing insulin based on the cats' weight or something. I doubt they are monitoring like we are, though. I'd love to see a copy of the textbooks they are given in vet school.
Click to expand...
shawna said:
I am so confused! I spoke to Teddy's vet...she is such an amazing vet.
But she said the change in food from low carb fancy feast and pro plan to the K/D canned food is not the reason his diabetes is back....
But his numbers have been stable eating the other food for months! and four days into eating this new food his blood sugar numbers went into the 400s!!
Am I missing something? I respect she is the doctor, but I don't understand how the food isn't the reason? Especially since it was directly after switching food.

She said to give 2 units twice a day. But I feel I learned a lot here and I am going to go with my gut and from the information I learned here last time...i will give him what he needs based on each pre-shot again.

And if you were in my situation would you stop giving the k/d food, even if the vet still recommends I give it to him? She said he could still go into remission like he did with the diabetes from this insulin support - but to give the insulin and still feed the k/d to help that.

Sincerely unsure.....
But I have a feeling from all I read I should give him the other low carb food again...I just get scared that I will not be helping his kidneys...this is so difficult.
Click to expand...

I’d say if it wasn’t broke don’t fix it! I understand kidneys & problems with cats, last st a few to that. I am only finding out now just how bad dry food is! I might have prolonged their life- no looking back! Anyway my recent kidney cat was maybe 50% failure by what the vet said & her actions. She would not eat the Hills diet & after mixing, coaxing etc... ( my other cat wouldn’t eat it either) I returned it.
She had mammary cancer & i had to put her down just a couple months ago. Liz was 17 1/2.
And was hyperthyroid ; on meds since age 12. Pretty good long life for a cat with problems. The kidneys did not go first, but I know all cats are different. Go with your gut, I’m trying to say to keep it in perspective. You can choose! It’s your cat & as Djamili said, there must be a food that’s good for both conditions... providing Teddy likes it! Good luck
 
Squeaky and KT (GA) said:
The food sales people are SO good at 'training' the vets that their foods are special and are developed just for a specific illness. Some of the companies even give the vets 'training' credit if they listen to their sales pitch. No need for that high carb k/d - go back to what you were doing, you had it right!

Tanya's site is so full of information it's hard to take it all in for a bit. Dakota's been in kidney failure for 2 years but seems to have stabilized about stage 3. Some days he doesn't feel well but other days he acts like a youngster rather than a 16 year old sweet old man.

HUGS and hugs!
Click to expand...

Oh thank you so much! Reading this made me feel so much better...and gives me hope...this has been such a hard year with sweet Teddy.

I am sorry to hear that Dakota has trouble with his kidney, but it sounds hopeful to hear he is stabilized. I definitely have to read about it all because I do not have any knowledge on kidney failure.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart! xoxox hugs!!
 
Noah & me said:
In some of the larger vet clinics it may not be the vet who decides what goes on the shelves. The vet comes in the back door, someone in a power-suit dragging a leather case on wheels comes in the front. They try hard not to make eye contact with the people waiting for real help.
We usually already know what our cats need. Don't get fooled, keep an open mind, believe in yourself.
:banghead: :coffee: :bighug:
Click to expand...

Thank you xoxox my vet has a very small office with just her and another vet. They are amazing and I know she only wants the best for sweet Theodore. But you are right, I'm going to do what I feel is right....and thankfully because of this website I am more educated. the first time I ever came here they saved Ted's life. I'm forever thankful for finding this place. Thank you for your message xoxoxox
 
Becky & Baby Girl Kitty said:
I’d say if it wasn’t broke don’t fix it! I understand kidneys & problems with cats, last st a few to that. I am only finding out now just how bad dry food is! I might have prolonged their life- no looking back! Anyway my recent kidney cat was maybe 50% failure by what the vet said & her actions. She would not eat the Hills diet & after mixing, coaxing etc... ( my other cat wouldn’t eat it either) I returned it.
She had mammary cancer & i had to put her down just a couple months ago. Liz was 17 1/2.
And was hyperthyroid ; on meds since age 12. Pretty good long life for a cat with problems. The kidneys did not go first, but I know all cats are different. Go with your gut, I’m trying to say to keep it in perspective. You can choose! It’s your cat & as Djamili said, there must be a food that’s good for both conditions... providing Teddy likes it! Good luck
Click to expand...

Aw thank you so much and I'm so sorry to hear about Liz, but like you said that is a very long life for a cat...and a happy life being with you!
I know about the dry food...I wish I had known...but I didn't know and I just look forward too. But right when I changed his food in June his diabetes soon went into a stable place where he didn't need insulin. So, I just know this time the numbers are from the k/d food...
His number last night was 468 and tonight pre shot was 315. I've never seen such high numbers. So stressful, but I'm glad this place educated me on how to dose and how to monitor and how to fix things....

And yes I hope I can find that food that is good for both.
My sweet Teddy already has lots of problem with nerve damage (he can't use one front leg and it's unknown why) so I don't want him to have any more pain/problems...I know this is just how life goes...but I'm going to try to do the best I can for him of course.
Sorry I'm rambling! Lol

Thank you for your message xoxoxoxo
 
shawna said:
Aw thank you so much and I'm so sorry to hear about Liz, but like you said that is a very long life for a cat...and a happy life being with you!
I know about the dry food...I wish I had known...but I didn't know and I just look forward too. But right when I changed his food in June his diabetes soon went into a stable place where he didn't need insulin. So, I just know this time the numbers are from the k/d food...
His number last night was 468 and tonight pre shot was 315. I've never seen such high numbers. So stressful, but I'm glad this place educated me on how to dose and how to monitor and how to fix things....

And yes I hope I can find that food that is good for both.
My sweet Teddy already has lots of problem with nerve damage (he can't use one front leg and it's unknown why) so I don't want him to have any more pain/problems...I know this is just how life goes...but I'm going to try to do the best I can for him of course.
Sorry I'm rambling! Lol

Thank you for your message xoxoxoxo
Click to expand...

Always welcome. Ramble on! I enjoy listening to other kitty stories! I get going on cat stories & go overboard! Lol we just love them & want to be happy w/o pain. Have a good night & hope it gets better for Teddy! Sometimes we do need to go by our instinct.
 
shawna said:
Aw thank you so much and I'm so sorry to hear about Liz, but like you said that is a very long life for a cat...and a happy life being with you!
I know about the dry food...I wish I had known...but I didn't know and I just look forward too. But right when I changed his food in June his diabetes soon went into a stable place where he didn't need insulin. So, I just know this time the numbers are from the k/d food...
His number last night was 468 and tonight pre shot was 315. I've never seen such high numbers. So stressful, but I'm glad this place educated me on how to dose and how to monitor and how to fix things....

And yes I hope I can find that food that is good for both.
My sweet Teddy already has lots of problem with nerve damage (he can't use one front leg and it's unknown why) so I don't want him to have any more pain/problems...I know this is just how life goes...but I'm going to try to do the best I can for him of course.
Sorry I'm rambling! Lol

Thank you for your message xoxoxoxo
Click to expand...
Weruva bff cans are good for both. :)
 
JanetNJ said:
Weruva bff cans are good for both. :)
Click to expand...
IMG_3356.PNG


Is this the right one?
 
Perfect, thank you so much...how awesome that it is good for both issues!
I am worried about going to work tomorrow....because I won't be able to check him mid day....I will try to dose conservatively..
And I'm used to leaving his food out...I know leaving canned food out isn't probably the best idea, but he always had eaten it by the time I got home..:so I guess he ate it for lunch...but now that he is back on insulin I don't know if I should do that?? Probably not..:but it's hard to get him to eat enough in one sitting.
 
shawna said:
Perfect, thank you so much...how awesome that it is good for both issues!
I am worried about going to work tomorrow....because I won't be able to check him mid day....I will try to dose conservatively..
And I'm used to leaving his food out...I know leaving canned food out isn't probably the best idea, but he always had eaten it by the time I got home..:so I guess he ate it for lunch...but now that he is back on insulin I don't know if I should do that?? Probably not..:but it's hard to get him to eat enough in one sitting.
Click to expand...
I leave it out. Or you could use a timed feeder.
 
I leave out both canned and raw food for my kitties all day and it's fine. I do freeze a little during warm weather so it thaws a little later and stays fresher, but most of the year I can just leave it without freezing first. Free feeding wet food is fine, or using it in a timed feeder as Janet mentioned, if you prefer him to have meal times.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top