? New member 4/3/24

[Kathleen Cole]

Hello I’m so happy to find a place that can hopefully help me. My beautiful girl Cecilia was diagnosed with diabetes in December 2023. She is still not stable. I was told to put her on the Purina DM gravy food which I can see from all of these articles that is not correct. She is insatiable- can’t stop crying to eat All day all night, despite being fed the proper amount, per the vet. She is not getting any snacks because they said that she can’t have any. I saw in the forum that is also not true. Going back to my vet on Friday and trying to be prepared with as much information as I can gather to get her better under control. I would like to switch her food, I saw that fancy feast was a good option and I know I can get that quickly. Is that something you would recommend to get started with? She is currently taking 3 1/2 units of Lantis twice a day. They keep increasing her insulin because her glucose levels have not stabilized. I believe this is in part due to her diet. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I’m at a loss, and even though I do like this veterinarian more than the one I had in December, I switched, I need to be Cecilia‘s best advocate.

 

[CORKY]

Hello I’m so happy to find a place that can hopefully help me. My beautiful girl Cecilia was diagnosed with diabetes in December 2023. She is still not stable. I was told to put her on the Purina DM gravy food which I can see from all of these articles that is not correct. She is insatiable- can’t stop crying to eat All day all night, despite being fed the proper amount, per the vet. She is not getting any snacks because they said that she can’t have any. I saw in the forum that is also not true. Going back to my vet on Friday and trying to be prepared with as much information as I can gather to get her better
under control. I would like to switch her food, I saw that fancy feast was a good option and I know I can get that quickly. Is that something you would recommend to get started with? She is currently taking 3 1/2 units of Lantis twice a day. They keep increasing her insulin because her glucose levels have not stabilized. I believe this is in part due to her diet. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I’m at a loss, and even though I do like this veterinarian more than the one I had in December, I switched, I need to be Cecilia‘s best advocate.

you are in the right place, you will be informed how to get your baby stable, but definitely the first thing you really should to do is stop the gravy food, it is extremely high in Carbs that could be why your baby's glucose continues to be high, the Fancy Feast Pates only are the best food, below you will have the food chart only look for FF low Carbs (third column Carb %) best foods are the ones that have between 0-5% Carbs there is a huge selections any food with a 2 digit % carb, is not good for a diabetic cat, I am far from an expert, but I can give you this information by experience, the rest I leave to the expert long time members, best to you and your baby, keep this page in your favorites and in you phone gallery for shopping
FOOD CHART LINK

http://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf

 

[squeem3]

Welcome

No Purina DM (dry and canned) aren't great for diabetics despite what vets say Food is one thing you can disagree with the vet about. The best food to feed your cat is low carb canned food. Here's a chart you can use: https://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf Look at the column for carbs and choose foods that have a number of 10 or less. You'll find that many commercially available brands like Fancy Feast and Friskies are suitable. Whatever low carb food you can afford and your cat likes to eat is fine.

If you need a European or Canadian or other international food chart, let us know.

The general rule is to feed unregulated diabetic cats as much food as they want. Two strict meals a day won't cut it. Many people feed their diabetic cats small meals throughout the day. A programmable timed feeder works great for this purpose.

Lantus is a good insulin to use. There's a Lantus board here with tons of info. You should take the time to read the info stickies at the top: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-levemir-biosimilars.9/ It might not make much sense right now but it's good to refer to over and over again.

The Purina DM is likely keeping blood glucose levels too high. But I wouldn't change the diet completely just yet. Changing the diet while on a high-ish dose of insulin can be a recipe for a hypo. Are you testing your cat's blood glucose levels at home? Did the vet say anything about home testing or just bring the cat in once a month for a ($$$ and inaccurate) curve? Hometesting is the only way you know what your cat's blood glucose levels are and how the current dose is working. Sometimes a too high insulin dose can keep the body in a sort of panic mode and blood glucose levels will be constantly high.

If you like your vet, then there's no need to switch. Ask questions and make sure the vet gives you answers that you understand. Sometimes you need to educate the vet a little, too Vets don't get much schooling on feline diabetes so sometimes aren't up to date on the newest information. It's ok to disagree with the vet sometimes. My vet would prefer me to feed prescription junk but I feed raw and he's ok with that.

 

[Kathleen Cole]

Welcome

No Purina DM (dry and canned) aren't great for diabetics despite what vets say Food is one thing you can disagree with the vet about. The best food to feed your cat is low carb canned food. Here's a chart you can use: https://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf Look at the column for carbs and choose foods that have a number of 10 or less. You'll find that many commercially available brands like Fancy Feast and Friskies are suitable. Whatever low carb food you can afford and your cat likes to eat is fine.

If you need a European or Canadian or other international food chart, let us know.

The general rule is to feed unregulated diabetic cats as much food as they want. Two strict meals a day won't cut it. Many people feed their diabetic cats small meals throughout the day. A programmable timed feeder works great for this purpose.

Lantus is a good insulin to use. There's a Lantus board here with tons of info. You should take the time to read the info stickies at the top: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-levemir-biosimilars.9/ It might not make much sense right now but it's good to refer to over and over again.

The Purina DM is likely keeping blood glucose levels too high. But I wouldn't change the diet completely just yet. Changing the diet while on a high-ish dose of insulin can be a recipe for a hypo. Are you testing your cat's blood glucose levels at home? Did the vet say anything about home testing or just bring the cat in once a month for a ($$$ and inaccurate) curve? Hometesting is the only way you know what your cat's blood glucose levels are and how the current dose is working. Sometimes a too high insulin dose can keep the body in a sort of panic mode and blood glucose levels will be constantly high.

If you like your vet, then there's no need to switch. Ask questions and make sure the vet gives you answers that you understand. Sometimes you need to educate the vet a little, too Vets don't get much schooling on feline diabetes so sometimes aren't up to date on the newest information. It's ok to disagree with the vet sometimes. My vet would prefer me to feed prescription junk but I feed raw and he's ok with that.

you are in the right place, you will be informed how to get your baby stable, but definitely the first thing you really should to do is stop the gravy food, it is extremely high in Carbs that could be why your baby's glucose continues to be high, the Fancy Feast Pates only are the best food, below you will have the food chart only look for FF low Carbs (third column Carb %) best foods are the ones that have between 0-5% Carbs there is a huge selections any food with a 2 digit % carb, is not good for a diabetic cat, I am far from an expert, but I can give you this information by experience, the rest I leave to the expert long time members, best to you and your baby, keep this page in your favorites and in you phone gallery for shopping
FOOD CHART LINK

http://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf

Thank you so much, Corky! I really appreciate the information on the food and I will look into that. I will discuss the food change with my veterinarian on Friday! Much thanks.

 

[Kathleen Cole]

Welcome

No Purina DM (dry and canned) aren't great for diabetics despite what vets say Food is one thing you can disagree with the vet about. The best food to feed your cat is low carb canned food. Here's a chart you can use: https://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf Look at the column for carbs and choose foods that have a number of 10 or less. You'll find that many commercially available brands like Fancy Feast and Friskies are suitable. Whatever low carb food you can afford and your cat likes to eat is fine.

If you need a European or Canadian or other international food chart, let us know.

The general rule is to feed unregulated diabetic cats as much food as they want. Two strict meals a day won't cut it. Many people feed their diabetic cats small meals throughout the day. A programmable timed feeder works great for this purpose.

Lantus is a good insulin to use. There's a Lantus board here with tons of info. You should take the time to read the info stickies at the top: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-levemir-biosimilars.9/ It might not make much sense right now but it's good to refer to over and over again.

The Purina DM is likely keeping blood glucose levels too high. But I wouldn't change the diet completely just yet. Changing the diet while on a high-ish dose of insulin can be a recipe for a hypo. Are you testing your cat's blood glucose levels at home? Did the vet say anything about home testing or just bring the cat in once a month for a ($$$ and inaccurate) curve? Hometesting is the only way you know what your cat's blood glucose levels are and how the current dose is working. Sometimes a too high insulin dose can keep the body in a sort of panic mode and blood glucose levels will be constantly high.

If you like your vet, then there's no need to switch. Ask questions and make sure the vet gives you answers that you understand. Sometimes you need to educate the vet a little, too Vets don't get much schooling on feline diabetes so sometimes aren't up to date on the newest information. It's ok to disagree with the vet sometimes. My vet would prefer me to feed prescription junk but I feed raw and he's ok with that.

Thank you very much for these tips. I will speak to my Vet on Friday about switching her food , her insulin dosage, and feeding more regularly. I do test her daily at home ,three times a day. It makes much more sense to lower her dose and her carbs. And not keep increasing her insulin dose.. I am having her fructosamine level drawn on Friday as well.
Thank you so much for your help!

 

[squeem3]

How are you keeping track of blood glucose levels? Paper and pencil is fine but you'll want to get a spreadsheet started. FDMB members use a Google based spreadsheet because it is easily shared with others, even the vet. Members have a link to their cat's spreadsheet in their signature.

https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-how-you-can-help-us-help-you.216696/

Once you get a spreadsheet set up and linked in your signature, members can better help you.

If you're testing at home, a fructosamine isn't needed. All a fructosamine tells is what the average blood glucose level was over the past few weeks. You already know how blood glucose levels are from daily testing.

Don't be surprised if the vet insists that Purina DM is best. Just firmly but politely say it's too expensive / the cat doesn't like it / whatever and you will be feeding a different canned food.

You'll want to keep a close eye on blood glucose levels while slowly switching over to a different food. If you can get more mid-cycle tests done that will give you a better idea of how the diet change is affecting blood glucose levels.

 

[Kathleen Cole]

How are you keeping track of blood glucose levels? Paper and pencil is fine but you'll want to get a spreadsheet started. FDMB members use a Google based spreadsheet because it is easily shared with others, even the vet. Members have a link to their cat's spreadsheet in their signature.

https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-how-you-can-help-us-help-you.216696/

Once you get a spreadsheet set up and linked in your signature, members can better help you.

If you're testing at home, a fructosamine isn't needed. All a fructosamine tells is what the average blood glucose level was over the past few weeks. You already know how blood glucose levels are from daily testing.

Don't be surprised if the vet insists that Purina DM is best. Just firmly but politely say it's too expensive / the cat doesn't like it / whatever and you will be feeding a different canned food.

You'll want to keep a close eye on blood glucose levels while slowly switching over to a different food. If you can get more mid-cycle tests done that will give you a better idea of how the diet change is affecting blood glucose levels.

Squeem3
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all this information! I am going to incorporate all of your suggestions into Cecilia‘s care plan.
Thank you so much!

 

[CORKY]

Believe me , there could be a possibility your Vet will not agree with you or he will probably try to sell the product the promotes which he makes a commission on, and they are costly from Chewy.com and you do not need prescribed food either, it's your call, if you read all the other members posts you will see that we swear on Fancy Feast Classic Pates., I also buy the fresh, refrigerated pellets found at Publix, Walmart called FreshPet they are pellets the one that is with vegetables, & spinach, I use it as snacks 75% moisture and like 2-3
% carbs, when I changed their diets by learning from this Forum I also found out that every treat product has an extreme amount of Carbs, for the exception of the pkgs of Fancy Feast fresh Salmon pkgs, they are individual snack, just be aware, the food is the most important cause for diabetes in cats, my other cat Coco is on the same regimen, I feed 4 times a day 2 full breakfast and dinner and 1/2 can each in between, in another words every 6 hours, and my cats are huge (not in weight) one is a 1/2 Main Coon

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

. I do test her daily at home ,three times a day. I

Welcome you couldn't have found a better group to join. You need to be testing more than 3 times a day.
Do you have the U-100 syringes with the half unit markings?
We adjust the dose by 0.25 units at a time.
I would read all the yellow stickys on the lantus forum
top:https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-levemir-biosimilars.9

If you need help setting up the spreadsheet just ask

Also
Here is a link helping us to help you link. If you noticed, our members have some basic information about their cat's in their signature. This helps us to not pester you by asking the same questions (your cat's name, insulin type, date of diagnosis, etc.) repeatedly. We also have a link to our spreadsheet in our signature. We are very numbers driven. The spreadsheet is a record of your cat's progress. By linking it in your signature, we can follow along and provide feedback should you need the help

 

[Kathleen Cole]

Believe me , there could be a possibility your Vet will not agree with you or he will probably try to sell the product the promotes which he makes a commission on, and they are costly from Chewy.com and you do not need prescribed food either, it's your call, if you read all the other members posts you will see that we swear on Fancy Feast Classic Pates., I also buy the fresh, refrigerated pellets found at Publix, Walmart called FreshPet they are pellets the one that is with vegetables, & spinach, I use it as snacks 75% moisture and like 2-3
% carbs, when I changed their diets by learning from this Forum I also found out that every treat product has an extreme amount of Carbs, for the exception of the pkgs of Fancy Feast fresh Salmon pkgs, they are individual snack, just be aware, the food is the most important cause for diabetes in cats, my other cat Coco is on the same regimen, I feed 4 times a day 2 full breakfast and dinner and 1/2 can each in between, in another words every 6 hours, and my cats are huge (not in weight) one is a 1/2 Main Coon

Thank you CORKY! I’m definitely going to look into switching her food over to Fancy Feast classic. Do you have any recommendations on how to switch her over to the new food?
I appreciate all of your advice!

 

[CORKY]

Thank you CORKY! I’m definitely going to look into switching her food over to Fancy Feast classic. Do you have any recommendations on how to switch her over to the new food?
I appreciate all of your advice!

Both Corky and Coco since babies had eaten nothing but MeauMix, they still love it I now keep a sealed tub with a small bag of dry food but Fancy Feast Premium in case of an emergency, they were pretty good, I started by mixing just a few bits of the dry food with the soft every day 1 less, it was really smooth, believe when they are hungry they will eat, cats can go days without eating, but in our case is important they eat especially before dosing, they cannot have an empty stomach, I don't think it will hard the FF looks good and it smells good , do buy the FF Tuna Flake too, is a dark blue label ,it's a great start it has chunks of fish, big ones shrimp, it smells just like you just opened a can of human tuna, 0% carbs, just make sure before feeding it you spread it out, and check for large thin fish bones some cans have it, I think that would be a great transition put a few of the dry food, but just a few, like one of the members told you don't want to freak out the change, to be careful on the BG, just test a bit more often after feeding like every two hours if you can, you can see Corky's Spreadsheet by clicking on Corky's spreadsheet, you do want to monitor the new change. I can help you with the feeding and some I have learned so much about diabetes in this Forum and with the members, for dosing I recommend our long-time e amazing expert on dosing protocol as well as increase or decrease, Suzanne & Darcy
she is one of the few members I blindly do what she recommends. get your spreadsheet up so when you post concerns they can see all the details and guide you accordingly, I as well as all the members are here for you

 

[Kathleen Cole]

Welcome you couldn't have found a better group to join. You need to be testing more than 3 times a day.
Do you have the U-100 syringes with the half unit markings?
We adjust the dose by 0.25 units at a time.
I would read all the yellow stickys on the lantus forum
top:https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-levemir-biosimilars.9

If you need help setting up the spreadsheet just ask

Also
Here is a link helping us to help you link. If you noticed, our members have some basic information about their cat's in their signature. This helps us to not pester you by asking the same questions (your cat's name, insulin type, date of diagnosis, etc.) repeatedly. We also have a link to our spreadsheet in our signature. We are very numbers driven. The spreadsheet is a record of your cat's progress. By linking it in your signature, we can follow along and provide feedback should you need the help

Thank you for your help. Yes I use the U 100 syringes with half markings now. I am very overwhelmed with everything but I will read up and try and get all information uploaded. Thank you!

 

[Kathleen Cole]

Both Corky and Coco since babies had eaten nothing but MeauMix, they still love it I now keep a sealed tub with a small bag of dry food but Fancy Feast Premium in case of an emergency, they were pretty good, I started by mixing just a few bits of the dry food with the soft every day 1 less, it was really smooth, believe when they are hungry they will eat, cats can go days without eating, but in our case is important they eat especially before dosing, they cannot have an empty stomach, I don't think it will hard the FF looks good and it smells good , do buy the FF Tuna Flake too, is a dark blue label ,it's a great start it has chunks of fish, big ones shrimp, it smells just like you just opened a can of human tuna, 0% carbs, just make sure before feeding it you spread it out, and check for large thin fish bones some cans have it, I think that would be a great transition put a few of the dry food, but just a few, like one of the members told you don't want to freak out the change, to be careful on the BG, just test a bit more often after feeding like every two hours if you can, you can see Corky's Spreadsheet by clicking on Corky's spreadsheet, you do want to monitor the new change. I can help you with the feeding and some I have learned so much about diabetes in this Forum and with the members, for dosing I recommend our long-time e amazing expert on dosing protocol as well as increase or decrease, Suzanne & Darcy
she is one of the few members I blindly do what she recommends. get your spreadsheet up so when you post concerns they can see all the details and guide you accordingly, I as well as all the members are here for you

Thank you so much! I will look into all of the links and resources and update my profile. I will shop for the classic foods today and tell vet tomorrow we are going to switch food. Since I feed the DM wet now I assume I slowly add the FF classic in to eventually replace it, while monitoring glucose every two hours? Do you think I will need to lower her insulin right away when I start the transition?
Thanks!

 

[CORKY]

Thank you so much! I will look into all of the links and resources and update my profile. I will shop for the classic foods today and tell vet tomorrow we are going to switch food. Since I feed the DM wet now I assume I slowly add the FF classic in to eventually replace it, while monitoring glucose every two hours? Do you think I will need to lower her insulin right away when I start the transition?
Thanks!

make your spreadsheet as soon as possible, the members will have a better outlook on your kitty on hand for advise on any of your concerns specially on dosing again here is the link step by step it only takes about 20,minute if not less. I was also told to read all the sticky notes, actually I did everything they told me to do by the letter, and I still and will have issues, I panic at times, but they are always there I myself have place some of the sticky notes in my favorite bar, like the food chart, the insulin protocols etc. I can only give you this type of suggestions, Diane & Tylor's, Suzzane & Darcy, Rover, are an example of the correct members for Dosing increase/reduction.
For craziness, food, help in anything else I am always here, my life's schedule today surrounds around Corky, I only leave my house for at most 2-3 hours, as you will notice his spreadsheet, He is SO healthy, his only ailment is the diabetes, he gained all of his weight back and he is very happy, as I am he will be 11 in Oct. I also read the new posts as they come in, I read a lot of other members posts to learn from them, and to know of signs of other symptoms. I love this Forum, it has saved my Coco's life, I am yet since Corky left the hospital June 8 2023 to take him back to a Vet. that's how serious I am about it/ This is the spreadsheet link ( at the bottom of this post you will read Corky's spreadsheet, click on it , you will see what it looks like )

https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/

 

[Tosca]

My cat was also hungry and crying for food all the time, and the vet told me to only feed her twice a day. It was very difficult until I learned on this forum that with I can feed her a few meals through the day, it's easier on pancreas. She is on Lantus and well controlled, but still hungry and asking for food. The main meals are Fancy Feast and I give her as treats a spoon here and there of shredded boiled chicken breast, which is low in calories and has zero carbs. That helps to control her hunger through the day. Good luck and welcome here on the forum, I learnt from this forum more than I learnt from the vet.

 

[CORKY]

My cat was also hungry and crying for food all the time, and the vet told me to only feed her twice a day. It was very difficult until I learned on this forum that with I can feed her a few meals through the day, it's easier on pancreas. She is on Lantus and well controlled, but still hungry and asking for food. The main meals are Fancy Feast and I give her as treats a spoon here and there of shredded boiled chicken breast, which is low in calories and has zero carbs. That helps to control her hunger through the day. Good luck and welcome here on the forum, I learnt from this forum more than I learnt from the vet.

In between meals you can also give your baby the FreshPet refrigerated pellets, vegetables w/ spinach I find them at Walmart, Publix, any store that has refrigerated pet food, I do not know where in Canada if they have it, what store you can find it. it is to feed as a meal, but I use them as snack, they have practically 0% Carbs, also I buy the Fancy Feast snack bars, they look like a Hershey chocolate bar, different flavors also less than 10% carbs, I also buy the ham that comes in a sealed bag in small squares, 2% carbs, that should help you in between meals, although in the Forum we are suggested to give 2 complete meals and two small meals, I feed my Corky and Coco (non-diabetic) every 6 hours