10.28.20 New Member Advice

[Letta Cat Mom]

Hello! My name is Mary. My cat is 11 years old. I recently took my cat to the vet and she told me that her triglycerides are high 323 and her glucose was at 208. She said I could do a fructosamine test, but said it was probably due to stress. My cat has gained a pound within a year, has been more sluggish and has been given steroids in the past for her excessive licking. As I’ve found out, this can agitate issues like diabetes and I will no longer be giving her steroids. She is currently eating Hills Science Diet Sensitive Skin and Stomach. I was feeding it to her because of her skin problems, but it didn’t help. I asked my veterinarian if I should switch her diet, but she doesn’t think it’s necessary. I am concerned with the glucose and want to prevent her from having diabetes. If you were in my shoes, would you change your cats diet? I saw that a low carb, high protein diet is recommended, but if she isn’t diabetic should I bother? I’ve seen that Hills sells M/D which seems to be low in carbs and higher in protein.

I would love your input.

Thank you for your time.

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

I think a low carb diet can only help. Here’s a chart we use to figure out carb content on cat food. Is it all wet or dry too? If you like Hills or if she needs it for her other issues that’s fine, but most of us feed regular low carb cat food to our sugar kitties, like fancy feast and Friskies. I’d suggest testing her levels again once she’s a few weeks off the steroids to make 100% sure she’s not become diabetic. Steroids can cause that. The frutosamine test would be good at that time to rule the diabetes out as it gives you her range from the last 3 weeks.

 

[Letta Cat Mom]

I think a low carb diet can only help. Here’s a chart we use to figure out carb content on cat food. Is it all wet or dry too? If you like Hills or if she needs it for her other issues that’s fine, but most of us feed regular low carb cat food to our sugar kitties, like fancy feast and Friskies. I’d suggest testing her levels again once she’s a few weeks off the steroids to make 100% sure she’s not become diabetic. Steroids can cause that. The frutosamine test would be good at that time to rule the diabetes out as it gives you her range from the last 3 weeks.

Thanks for the reply! She is eating dry food and has been eating mainly dry for her whole life. I’ve seen that wet food is better? I know this sounds odd, but I’ve always been afraid that it would be bad for her teeth and she’d be more likely to get dental disease. Also they had pulled her blood previously to giving her a steroid injection, and her last injection was in May of 2019. Would that make a difference?

thanks for your help.

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

I’m not an expert on steroids as far as how long the affect can last, but if the test was down then yes it could be the cause. Since she’s not on insulin, I’d suggest switching to low carb wet if she can tolerate or at least low carb dry. Then get the next test and hopefully her numbers will be fine given the 2 changes. I think the only low carb dry is Dr. Elseys btw @tiffmaxee is that the right one, do you know?

 

[tiffmaxee]

I’m not an expert on steroids as far as how long the affect can last, but if the test was down then yes it could be the cause. Since she’s not on insulin, I’d suggest switching to low carb wet if she can tolerate or at least low carb dry. Then get the next test and hopefully her numbers will be fine given the 2 changes. I think the only low carb dry is Dr. Elseys btw @tiffmaxee is that the right one, do you know?

Yes, Dr. Elsey’s dry is low carb and comes in chicken and salmon flavors. The salmon also contains chicken.

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

WELCOME TO FDMB Mary and Letta. I hope your questions have been answered sufficiently. I'm sure there will be more but I second what Ale said. Not being on insulin as of yet, is the PURRRRFECT time to switch from kibble to a low carb wet food. If Letta refuses the can food the above mentioned is the best substitute for her regular "dry" Many members feed it to their extra "sweets".
If you are interested in joining full time we would like you to visit here to become more acquainted with how things work around here:
New? How You Can Help Us Help You!

WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY.

This is the best darn site on this planet to learn everything you need to know about feline diabetes and beyond.
jeanne

 

[tiffmaxee]

Often steroid induced cats go OTJ. I agree if you can make the switch to mostly wet food with a low carb dry that will help to speed up the process. Good luck. Let us know how we can help.

 

[Letta Cat Mom]

I’m not an expert on steroids as far as how long the affect can last, but if the test was down then yes it could be the cause. Since she’s not on insulin, I’d suggest switching to low carb wet if she can tolerate or at least low carb dry. Then get the next test and hopefully her numbers will be fine given the 2 changes. I think the only low carb dry is Dr. Elseys btw @tiffmaxee is that the right one, do you know?

Thank you! And one of the first photo reviews I saw for that food suggests that it can help with over grooming! I’ve ordered a bag and it should come today. Since she has eaten dry her whole life my plan is to transition her to this food, as well as adding wet food. Thankfully she has never had an issue with being a picky eater so I’m hoping she will be open as I slowly transition her.

thanks again for your reply. The information you have given is invaluable and myself and Letta very much appreciate it!

 

[Letta Cat Mom]

Often steroid induced cats go OTJ. I agree if you can make the switch to mostly wet food with a low carb dry that will help to speed up the process. Good luck. Let us know how we can help.

Thank you!

Very thankful for your advice and recommendations.

 

[Letta Cat Mom]

WELCOME TO FDMB Mary and Letta. I hope your questions have been answered sufficiently. I'm sure there will be more but I second what Ale said. Not being on insulin as of yet, is the PURRRRFECT time to switch from kibble to a low carb wet food. If Letta refuses the can food the above mentioned is the best substitute for her regular "dry" Many members feed it to their extra "sweets".
If you are interested in joining full time we would like you to visit here to become more acquainted with how things work around here:
New? How You Can Help Us Help You!

WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY.

This is the best darn site on this planet to learn everything you need to know about feline diabetes and beyond.
jeanne

Thanks! My questions have been answered. I appreciate your time and thoughtful replies.

 

[JanetNJ]

wet food is definitely best. Don't bother with the MD. Low carb fancy feast pate, or friskies pate or weruva. If you MUST feed a little dry there are a few lower carb options. Epigen 90, dr. elsey's clean protien chicken, and youngagainzero (only found online).