9/27 New Member-CKD & DM Food Confused

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Lynnie23

Lynnie23

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Hi, I’m Lynne. What an amazing resource! So much information it’s a bit overwhelming and I hope I’m posting correctly. My 15 1/2 y/o Hazel was diagnosed with early CKD almost 2 years ago. She’s been very happily eating Royal Canin Early Consult canned. Her most recent kidney numbers have actually improved slightly. Hazel has had ongoing oral issues-resorptive lesions-with 2 dentals last year. Recently she began showing signs of oral pain again and was diagnosed with Stomatitis. Vet pulled back molars and, although her recovery was a bit up and down, she did quite well and was back to happily devouring her food again. Within about 2 weeks though, I noticed a huge increase in her water intake and urine output so back to vet we went where her glucose came back at 485+ and we started at 1unit of Glargine. Went for a curve test, I think too soon after starting the insulin, but the curve showed her lowest glucose was still in the high 300’s so vet upped insulin to 1.5units. I’ve been reading a lot and I’m not a numbers person. I admire those who can home test and are diligent with every number and detail. That’s not me. All of this is beyond overwhelming. I guess I’m looking for a simple suggestion as to food. Her kidney disease seems stable so I’m assuming getting the DM under control is probably the priority here, but I’m confused. It seems the CKD diet and a DM diet are at odds with each other. It appears there are many mentions of Fancy Feast as a good option for both conditions. Any food suggestions highly appreciated. Hazel will have an Freestyle Libre “installed” lol, late next week. Vet wanted at least a week on the 1.5units before attaching it. Many thanks! Meow
 
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Welcome to FDMB!

You are correct. This is all completely overwhelming in the beginning. That's the bad news. The good news is that it will become routine.

I know that home testing seems like a pain in the neck. However, it is the best, if not the only way, to ensure that your cat is safe. The Libre is a good option but it has its limitations so we encourage members to learn how to use a handheld glucometer. The two biggest issues with the Libre is that if your cat is experiencing lower numbers, it gives falsely low numbers. In other words, you're panicking because you think your cat is hypoglycemic when, in reality, Hazel's numbers when tested manually are in a safe range. The other problem is that while the Libre is supposed to be good for 2 weeks, it can fail before then. It's helpful to have a glucometer as a back-up. We can provide you with lots of resources to help you learn how to home test. We also encourage you to get a test a minimum of 4 times a day. You will want to test prior to giving an insulin injection and at least one additional time during both the AM and PM cycles. Lantus dosing is based on how low the insulin is taking Hazel's numbers so you need to get tests that will inform you as to how low the dose is bringing Hazel's blood glucose.

You're also correct in that many of the specialty CKD foods are high in carbohydrates. However, there are low carb foods that are low in phosphorus and phosphorus is the issue with kidney disease. Are you familiar with Tanya's CKD website? It's a great resource. She has recommendations regarding treating CKD. This is a link to several options regarding low phosphorus options. @Diane Tyler's Mom GA also has a list, which I think largely refers to Weruva foods.
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
Welcome to FDMB!

You are correct. This is all completely overwhelming in the beginning. That's the bad news. The good news is that it will become routine.

I know that home testing seems like a pain in the neck. However, it is the best, if not the only way, to ensure that your cat is safe. The Libre is a good option but it has its limitations so we encourage members to learn how to use a handheld glucometer. The two biggest issues with the Libre is that if your cat is experiencing lower numbers, it gives falsely low numbers. In other words, you're panicking because you think your cat is hypoglycemic when, in reality, Hazel's numbers when tested manually are in a safe range. The other problem is that while the Libre is supposed to be good for 2 weeks, it can fail before then. It's helpful to have a glucometer as a back-up. We can provide you with lots of resources to help you learn how to home test. We also encourage you to get a test a minimum of 4 times a day. You will want to test prior to giving an insulin injection and at least one additional time during both the AM and PM cycles. Lantus dosing is based on how low the insulin is taking Hazel's numbers so you need to get tests that will inform you as to how low the dose is bringing Hazel's blood glucose.

You're also correct in that many of the specialty CKD
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Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
Welcome to FDMB!

You are correct. This is all completely overwhelming in the beginning. That's the bad news. The good news is that it will become routine.

I know that home testing seems like a pain in the neck. However, it is the best, if not the only way, to ensure that your cat is safe. The Libre is a good option but it has its limitations so we encourage members to learn how to use a handheld glucometer. The two biggest issues with the Libre is that if your cat is experiencing lower numbers, it gives falsely low numbers. In other words, you're panicking because you think your cat is hypoglycemic when, in reality, Hazel's numbers when tested manually are in a safe range. The other problem is that while the Libre is supposed to be good for 2 weeks, it can fail before then. It's helpful to have a glucometer as a back-up. We can provide you with lots of resources to help you learn how to home test. We also encourage you to get a test a minimum of 4 times a day. You will want to test prior to giving an insulin injection and at least one additional time during both the AM and PM cycles. Lantus dosing is based on how low the insulin is taking Hazel's numbers so you need to get tests that will inform you as to how low the dose is bringing Hazel's blood glucose.

You're also correct in that many of the specialty CKD foods are high in carbohydrates. However, there are low carb foods that are low in phosphorus and phosphorus is the issue with kidney disease. Are you familiar with Tanya's CKD website? It's a great resource. She has recommendations regarding treating CKD. This is a link to several options regarding low phosphorus options. @Diane Tyler's Mom GA also has a list, which I think largely refers to Weruva foods.
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Eek, not sure if I’m replying correctly, I didn’t want to include your whole post, just wanted to reply. But HI! And thanks for the warm and encouraging welcome. I do want to learn how to test at home, but once I begin doing so, that will be the end of my normal relationship with Hazel. Her personality has already changed so much with all the pokes and medicine and vet visits surrounding her dental issues, the daily testing will lead to her hiding in the closet all day. But, I’d rather lose her to the closet than lose her, so I’m preparing myself for that inevitably. I plan to give the Libre a try and once we complete that process, I’ll then begin the home testing so…I’ll be back!
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
Welcome to FDMB!

You are correct. This is all completely overwhelming in the beginning. That's the bad news. The good news is that it will become routine.

I know that home testing seems like a pain in the neck. However, it is the best, if not the only way, to ensure that your cat is safe. The Libre is a good option but it has its limitations so we encourage members to learn how to use a handheld glucometer. The two biggest issues with the Libre is that if your cat is experiencing lower numbers, it gives falsely low numbers. In other words, you're panicking because you think your cat is hypoglycemic when, in reality, Hazel's numbers when tested manually are in a safe range. The other problem is that while the Libre is supposed to be good for 2 weeks, it can fail before then. It's helpful to have a glucometer as a back-up. We can provide you with lots of resources to help you learn how to home test. We also encourage you to get a test a minimum of 4 times a day. You will want to test prior to giving an insulin injection and at least one additional time during both the AM and PM cycles. Lantus dosing is based on how low the insulin is taking Hazel's numbers so you need to get tests that will inform you as to how low the dose is bringing Hazel's blood glucose.

You're also correct in that many of the specialty CKD foods are high in carbohydrates. However, there are low carb foods that are low in phosphorus and phosphorus is the issue with kidney disease. Are you familiar with Tanya's CKD website? It's a great resource. She has recommendations regarding treating CKD. This is a link to several options regarding low phosphorus options. @Diane Tyler's Mom GA also has a list, which I think largely refers to Weruva foods.
Click to expand...
Okay, I just ordered the Alpha Track 3. It will be delivered this afternoon. I’ve watched a few videos on how to test and I’m completely disheartened. My Hazel will not simply sit and allow me to mess around with her ear or her paw so if I can even get a blood sample to begin with, then what numbers would I be looking for? I’m supposed to test before feeding her and giving her insulin and if the numbers on the meter show…what? Do I change something? I’m so sad and feel like a terrible cat mom because none of this makes any sense to me. I’m still feeding her the wet CKD Royal Canin, that I know is high in carbohydrates. I tried adding the Royal Canin dry Glycobalance but then read on here that’s not good so I stopped that. I also bought some canned Weruva that was recommended but do I start making dietary changes too? It all feels so willy-nilly so how would know what’s working and what isn’t? I guess initially I thought I’d continue on her usual CKD food and the insulin would regulate her, but this page has me spinning in circles with the overwhelming amount of information. I need simple steps, not long spread sheets and pages of info to read through. Any guidance for my first attempt at testing, when to test once the meter arrives, and then what the heck numbers am I looking for? Perhaps once the meter arrives, it will make more sense to me, but right now I just feel awful about this whole process.
 
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Lynnie23 said:
Okay, I just ordered the Alpha Track 3. It will be delivered this afternoon. I’ve watched a few videos on how to test and I’m completely disheartened. My Hazel will not simply sit and allow me to mess around with her ear or her paw so if I can even get a blood sample to begin with, then what numbers would I be looking for? I’m supposed to test before feeding her and giving her insulin and if the numbers on the meter show…what? Do I change something? I’m so sad and feel like a terrible cat mom because none of this makes any sense to me. I’m still feeding her the wet CKD Royal Canin, that I know is high in carbohydrates. I tried adding the Royal Canin dry Glycobalance but then read on here that’s not good so I stopped that. I also bought some canned Weruva that was recommended but do I start making dietary changes too? It all feels so willy-nilly so how would know what’s working and what isn’t? I guess initially I thought I’d continue on her usual CKD food and the insulin would regulate her, but this page has me spinning in circles with the overwhelming amount of information. I need simple steps, not long spread sheets and pages of info to read through. Any guidance for my first attempt at testing, when to test once the meter arrives, and then what the heck numbers am I looking for? Perhaps once the meter arrives, it will make more sense to me, but right now I just feel awful about this whole process.
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@Sienne and Gabby (GA)
 
First -- take a deep breath. We've all been in your shoes. The beginning of this journey is completely overwhelming.

Having the Libre will take some of the pressure off regarding home testing. It's important to get a test result before giving insulin. Without that information, you have no way of knowing whether it's safe to give your cat her insulin dose.

I would wait until Hazel has the Libre before changing her diet. Some cats are very responsive to a change in diet. Getting Hazel on a low carb diet will drop her blood glucose numbers to some degree -- you just don't know how much. Once you have the Libre to guide you, you'll be better able to figure out how insulin and food are working and how Hazel is responding.

You are not incorrect in that Hazel could stay on her CKD diet and the insulin could, in fact, manage her diabetes. It depends on what your goal is. Because the CKD diets tend to be high in carbohydrates, Hazel will likely need a higher dose of insulin and may need to always be on insulin. The piece that may not be entirely apparent is that cats can go into remission from their diabetes. Not every cat goes into remission but many do. We make a tacit assumption that that's everyone's goal but that's not always a good assumption on our part. My cat never reached remission. She was reasonably well regulated and did well. So, what you were suggesting about Hazel's CKD and diabetes is reasonable.

I want to encourage you to read the post in my signature about Gabby's Legacy. It's post #7 in the thread. Hopefully, Hazel will realize that what you're doing is helping her to feel better and will respond accordingly.
 
@Sienne and Gabby (GA) You made me cry! Thank you again for reminding to breathe and understanding without judgement my emotions and confusion. I feel SO much better reading this advice. I think for us, one step at a time is our best approach. Funny, the Amazon driver “couldn’t find my address” yesterday so the Alpha Track wasn’t delivered after all. I’ll admit, I was kind of relieved.
Thanks again. Really. Cannot thank you enough.
I’m going to hop over and read about Gabby.

Oh my, you made me cry again. You’re a beautiful writer. Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom and for being Gabby’s mom. Be still my heart. Fly free, Gabby
 
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