Angry Liver and Diabetes

[Sandy96]

My sister is the mom to a Diabetic cat and she sent me here because this forum is the best, and my kitty Sandy, 16.5 yrs old, was diagnosed with Diabetes on Thursday last week as well as with an "Angry Liver" as her liver enzymes were way elevated. They started her on Lantus 2u Bid and put her on Purina OM wet food and told me to quit feeding her the Natural Instinct canned food she was eating. Her weight dropped from around 10lbs in April to 8.7lbs at dx and they say the new food will help regulate her sugars (they are still in the 200's for the most part, was in 300s at dx) and help her put the wt back on. Shes a larger kitty build wise so looks and feels like skin and bones now. She has gone from eating ravenously to barely eating anything and that I have figured out needs to be smooshed up in water to a thin pea soup consistency with no chunks. The plan is in 2 weeks on the 14th to have her brought in for liver enzyme tests to see, if by treating the diabetes, her liver will become less angry. I have been until today only testing twice daily prior to giving her Insulin and food, today it changed since her AmPS was at 157 which was lower than what she usually runs. I did go ahead and giver her insulin, as I was told to give it to her unless her reading was below 100, and then I am supposed to feed and call the vet for further advise. I am guessing that after the liver enzymes are done I will have some choices to make and am hoping that they will include changing my vets mind about the right type of food to feed my baby girl (I really dont like the idea of her getting the rx diet she is on right now). I know this is rambling :lol: so will end it here so as not to confuse anyone but myself.
Danielle'
Sandy96's mom

 

[Lisa and Witn (GA)]

Hi Danielle and welcome to FDMB.

It looks like you are off to a good start with hometesting and your choice of insulin. I am not familiar with the Purina OM food and how it affects the liver. Looking at the old food charts though it appears to be higher in carbs though. Usually there are better foods available that have less carbs such as Fancy Feast and Friskies.

One suggestion though is to make sure that Sandy has eaten before giving her insulin. You do not want to risk her becoming hypoglycemic if she suddenly refuses to eat her food but you already gave her insulin.

One thing that is also very helpful is to keep a spreadsheet of your BG readings and dose. I believe that there is a template for one that many of the members use. Hopefully someone can post the link for it. That will help us with giving you advice.

 

[Hope + (((Baby)))GA]

Two excellent liver meds to give are Denosyl and Marin. Ask your vet.

 

[Sandy96]

Thanks to both of you for the answers. I am working on putting together a Journal for Bugs BG, eating and other info. I am also planning to download the spread sheet and use it to track the readings as well. We will find out on the 14th how her liver is doing and are hoping its good news, either way we will have decisions to make especially as she is 16.5 yrs old.