Change diet before insulin?

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Rachel & Molly

Member Since 2016
Molly is my elderly mom's 12-year-old cat who I'm now caring for. She's obese, has only eaten low-grade dry food for the past 2 years and was just diagnosed with diabetes (though she hasn't been to the vet in 7 years). The vet prescribed Lantus + Purina DM canned. But in reading Dr. Lisa's posts, it seems like I should get her off the dry food before starting insulin, otherwise it's like Russian Roulette with whether she goes into diabetic shock. She used to eat wet food and has done fine with the small amounts I've introduced since last night, so I don't forsee having trouble converting her. Shouldn't I wait and get her blood sugar tested after she's totally on wet food? (Eventually, I could test her sugar myself, but I'm too overwhelmed by the thought now.)
 
What was her number when diagnosed at the vet? I am thinking if it wasn't super high, changing the food might be fine.

I would be working toward getting her accustomed to home testing. Decide where you want to test. Some people like between their legs when seated on the floor; some like on the couch or the bed; some use the counter. Take her there, lots of pets and praise and then a treat she loves that is saved for testing. Let her go. The next time, pets, praise, fooling with her ears, treat and release. After a few times, add warming the ear. (Some people like a sock, knotted and filled with raw rice and heated till very warm in the microwav. Some use a prescription pill bottle filled with very warm water. Continue with this for awhile before adding the click of the lancet and finally the poke. Most cats come to associate this time with pleasure and a favorite treat, so when you add the poke, it isn't a big deal. Meanwhile buy a meter and lancer holder and lancets and try the meter out on yourself. Be sure you become confident with how it works, how to insert the strip, how long it gives you before beeping out etc.
 
Please do not take my word for it I am a newbie here. My cat sumo was very high and his numbers fell very fast with a food change within 2 weeks. Thankfully people here helped me avoid a very dangerous hypo episode. This would also give you some time to figure out home testing before really needing to do it before insulin. Food and exercise can make a huge difference.
 
Hi Rachel,

Rachel & Molly said:
But in reading Dr. Lisa's posts, it seems like I should get her off the dry food before starting insulin, otherwise it's like Russian Roulette with whether she goes into diabetic shock.
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For general information, and per Dr Lisa's comments on her website, if you are doing a food transtion from higher to lower carb food for a cat already on insulin then you really do need to be home testing so that you can monitor blood glucose (BG) levels closely throughout the changeover. This would allow for insulin dosage to be adjusted in line with improvements in BG levels right the way through the transition, thus reducing the risk of the cat becoming hypoglycaemic.


Mogs
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Three flavors Special Kitty pate canned cat food be bought on 22oz cans for $1, with several more 72 cents for 13oz cans, at WalMart. They are suitable for diabetic cats.
 
zzyzzx said:
Three flavors Special Kitty pate canned cat food be bought on 22oz cans for $1, with several more 72 cents for 13oz cans, at WalMart. They are suitable for diabetic cats.
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This is what the company sent me when I requested info re: carbs and phosphorus:

Screen Shot 2015-11-21 at 9.36.58 PM.png


I am starting my four on the Mixed Grill to see if it will work for all of them (and not break the bank!). So far, so good, althopugh I am only adding a very small portion to their current food at the moment as I need to do any food changes very slowly. Be warned, though, the Mixed Grill is very odoriferous, to say the least, lol!
 
I already knew that the Turkey and Giblets was really low in Carbs, but had no exactly idea on the Chunky Chicken & Tuna vs Mixed Grill.

And why is it called "Chunky Chicken & Tuna" if it's pate. The name implies it's not pate, but it is.

Did you get any info on some of the other flavors that are not in the 22 oz cans? I use a lot of the 13 oz cans as well. Like the Super Supper, Tuna, Beef & Liver, and Ocean Whitefish. As far as taste goes, my guy seems to like them all, but I suspect Super Supper and Salmon are his favorites.
 
zzyzzx said:
I already knew that the Turkey and Giblets was really low in Carbs, but had no exactly idea on the Chunky Chicken & Tuna vs Mixed Grill.

And why is it called "Chunky Chicken & Tuna" if it's pate. The name implies it's not pate, but it is.

Did you get any info on some of the other flavors that are not in the 22 oz cans? I use a lot of the 13 oz cans as well. Like the Super Supper, Tuna, Beef & Liver, and Ocean Whitefish. As far as taste goes, my guy seems to like them all, but I suspect Super Supper and Salmon are his favorites.
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That's all the information they sent me, sorry. Somewhere there is a list of foods that includes some Special Kitty varieties but I don't remember what it is (it's NOT Tanya's site). Someone else here may be able to guide you to it.
 
Hmm I cannot find mixed grill here in Canada in a can. There is a mixed grill but it is a pouch with gravy. We do have a savory grill, I wonder if it is the same...
 
Squalliesmom said:
That's all the information they sent me, sorry. Somewhere there is a list of foods that includes some Special Kitty varieties but I don't remember what it is (it's NOT Tanya's site). Someone else here may be able to guide you to it.
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OK, can you ask them for more or PM me the info so I can get more?
 
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