Advice on transitioning to new diet while on Lantus (new foster kitty Rosemary)

CrazyKaitLady

CrazyKaitLady

Member
Hi all! If this isn't the right place to ask this question and I should go to a different board or the Facebook please let me know.

I've been posting here periodically for my foster kitty Pete since I got him post-DKA in the beginning of April. I'm taking on another diabetic kitty in my rescue's foster program, Rosemary, tonight. Rosemary has been on insulin for a while but because of her temperament and circumstances in her current foster home, she hasn't been on a low-carb diet and her blood sugar does not get checked except at the vet. She's a very spicy girl. My hope is that I can get her set up in a quieter space in my house and with less stress her mood will improve and I'll be able to start testing her. If that doesn't work I may see if we can splurge to get a Freestyle Libre on her.

My question in the short term is how to transition her to a low-carb diet while she's already on insulin (3u 2x/day). I don't think I want to switch her over quickly because if I continue her current insulin dose but take away all her carbs, I'm worried her blood sugar will tank. Do I keep feeding her portioned dry food and slowly transition her to more LC wet and less kibble over a week or so, and monitor her behavior? I know there are a few low-carb kibbles that people use so I may also try getting a bag of that and gradually swapping her regular kibble out for the LC (and then maybe transitioning her to Fancy Feast after the kibble switch if she'll eat wet food). Would love some feedback if anyone has done this before or has advice on how to handle. Thanks!
 
Thank you for taking on a second diabetic foster. That takes a special kind of person. :bighug:

First, here is a post by Dr. Lisa Transitioning your cat from dry to wet food I would not transition her to lower carb food until you can monitor her more closely. I've seen a cat on 5.5 units of insulin, where the caregiver did not think he was able to reach high up kibbles other cats could get, until she saw the old man cat up there. She removed kibble from the house, and two and a half terrifying and tiring days later, the cat was completely off of insulin. That involved a LOT of testing. That was an extreme case, but we don't know much about Rosemary. We don't know how she'll react to less carbs. What food is she eating now?

Can you get any history on her? How long she's been diabetic? Any DKA or ketones history? If you haven't got them already, I'd pick up some ketones sticks.
 
Thank you! That's what I was worried about. I believe she's been diabetic for at least a year+, currently on a regular kibble (Purina One probably, going to confirm) and doesn't have a DKA/ketone history that I know of, but I'll get the details from the foster tonight (and add them to my signature as I'm sure I'll be posting for your wonderful advice in the coming months haha). I'll try just keeping her on her current kibble and insulin situation for a week or two and see if testing is going to be feasible with her and go from there. I do have ketone sticks and also a blood ketone meter if we get to the point that she'll let me test her.
 
Fistuk & Shelly said:
Hi Kait :)
I don't have anything to offer re-food but I wanted to say how much I admire you for taking a diabitic kitty from foster. It does take a special kind of person.

Rosemary is blessed to have you as her guardian angel :bighug::bighug::bighug:
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Thank you! :) I do a lot of medical fosters through our org...they're complicated but it's rewarding! So grateful for this page. Petey has been my first diabetic project and it would be SO much harder without this support system.
 
CrazyKaitLady said:
Thank you! :) I do a lot of medical fosters through our org...they're complicated but it's rewarding! So grateful for this page. Petey has been my first diabetic project and it would be SO much harder without this support system.
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Thank you, Kait. I’d like to add my thanks to you for taking on a second diabetic cat. You’re awesome and I admire you and your dedication! A true saint.
Sending you lots of good luck wishes and strength :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Thank you everyone for the kind words and encouragement! Rosemary was dropped off this evening and I was quite surprised to actually get enough cooperation for a pre-shot BG reading today. She is a very grouchy old girl but I'm hopeful that we can come to an understanding. I think I'll give her a week or so to see if we can get into a routine and get a baseline of her BGs on her current diet and then start working on a transition. Pic of Her Grumpiness being annoyed at my existence.
 

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CrazyKaitLady said:
Thank you everyone for the kind words and encouragement! Rosemary was dropped off this evening and I was quite surprised to actually get enough cooperation for a pre-shot BG reading today. She is a very grouchy old girl but I'm hopeful that we can come to an understanding. I think I'll give her a week or so to see if we can get into a routine and get a baseline of her BGs on her current diet and then start working on a transition. Pic of Her Grumpiness being annoyed at my existence.
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Awwww. I hope Rosemary becomes much less grouchy. Poor baby. She’s in great hands now :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
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