Newly diabetic cat with IBD

[Tao's Mom]

Hi!
I'm new here. I have an 11 year old kitty who about 5 years ago was diagnosed with IBD. He's been on metronidazole and prednisolone for most of that time as he was not able to be successfully weaned. He improved but never got back to "normal". His prednisolone was recently switched to budesonide and things improved even more but again, not able to wean him off without flare ups. Long story short, he was diagnosed yesterday with diabetes, presumably due to chronic steroid use. It was a rapid decline...He lost interest in his Ultamino dry food so we started feeding Honest Kitchen which he ate for a while. Last week, he lost interest in that too. The vet recommended bland diet of chicken and boiled rice, which he ate for most of last week. Wednesday/Thursday he wasn't eating as much so called the vet. We took him in on Friday, they did some lab work, gave him subcutaneous fluids. He came home and went right for the food dish and did well all day/night and had a great Saturday. Sunday he was back to not eating, back to the vet on Monday after confirming the new diabetes diagnosis and suspected UTI. We are now syringe feeding him with the hope that once his diabetes and UTI are controlled, he'll start eating on his own again. Are there any wet foods that you've had success with in cats with both diabetes and IBD?

 

[Wendy&Neko]

There are lots of novel protein foods out there that are low carb. For example, Ziwipeak, Nature's Variety, Rawz, Koha are some brands. I fed a raw food diet which gave me lots of options on types of protein. Chicken is a common allergen.

 

[Shelley & Jess]

RAWZ Turkey & Turkey Liver pate has been a game changer for us. RAWZ also has beef, duck, rabbit, fish & chicken. (I stay away from anything fish or chicken.)

We tried (one at a time) all the limited ingredient, sensitive foods, novel protein diets we could find over the last 2 years.

Every time we tried to slowly reduce the daily steroid dose she’d eventually flare up after the first attempt at a reduction.

Then we found RAWZ. Did the transition diet for a couple of months and then started reducing the steroid, and reducing the steroid, and reducing the steroid. This has been the only food I’ve been able to do a totally off the steroid trial. It’s early days, but looking good.

When I was looking for yet another new food last fall, I found a small independent pet health store that specializes in raw pet food diets in the next town over from us. The owner is a certified natural pet food consultant and certified raw pet food specialist and has been so helpful. As Wendy said, chicken is a common allergen and I also learned that chicken is classed as a ‘hot’ meat and hot meats cause inflammation. Beef is classed neutral. Turkey is classed cool. Cool being the best to avoid inflammation. I can’t remember what Duck & Rabbit are - either neutral or cool. I haven’t fully researched this concept, but they seem to know what they’re talking about.

I also gotta wonder if half our problem was more to do with all the gums & fillers found in so many foods including many of the limited ingredient & sensitive food diets.

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

WELCOME TO FDMB My name is Jeanne. With so many issues and diabetes I have nothing to offer but prayers and admiration for your dedication. My hope is you find answers here. Many of our members have kitties with multiple issues and post here regularly. Try going through the different sections. Thread titles that pique your interest may hold ideas not thought of. Personally I wish I had more for you.
j

 

[Heather & Hwy 99]

Hi, I really hope your furbaby is doing better! I just wanted to share that my cat was diagnosed with IBS years ago and was prescribed prescription diet Hills w/d dry and that worked well for years as it is high fiber and helps regulate stools etc. plus he loves it, he was recently diagnosed with diabetes and so I am transitioning to the wet version of w/d as I research other possibilities that are even lower carb but the w/d is safe and often utilized for diabetic kitties-just wanted to share my experience in case it might offer one more consideration

 

[Deb & Wink]

he was recently diagnosed with diabetes and so I am transitioning to the wet version of w/d as I research other possibilities that are even lower carb but the w/d is safe and often utilized for diabetic kitties-just wanted to share my experience in case it might offer one more consideration

The wet Hill's W/d is still 26% carbs when diabetic cats only need 10% carbs or less.

The W/d food is also meant for weight LOSS, and many diabetic cats have already lost plenty of weight before diagnosis and do not need to lose more.

You cat needs fiber in their diet? Try adding some plain unflavored psyllium husk fiber, starting with 1/8 teaspoon to see how that works for your cat.