Diabetic cat fur care & diet

[Viktoria84]

Hello there!
My youngest cat (1,5y.o) went through holangeiitis, last February, almost died.
We managed a slow but successful recovery with very hard work.
Unfortunately, he lost all his fat and muscle mass.2 months ago we became aware that he's diabetic too.
He's on Caninsulin 4iu Sc twice a day & Hills m/d dry food.Glucose is now stable - I'm testing him at home.
Well I have two problems ;firstly he's ALWAYS hungry AF.He wants to eat all day.
Secondly his fur from the neck and below is very oily.
He's gaining weight& muscle mass really slow.I was thinking ordering Orijen catfood (dry).Do you have any experience on that?
Also, any ideas for the oily fur?
Thanks

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Welcome! We can help and support you as you treat your diabetic kitty.

He's on Caninsulin 4iu Sc twice a day

That's a very high dose for akitty who was diagnosed only two months ago. What dose was he started on? how quickly was the dose raised? Do you have a good set of blood glucose data? What is his highest/lowest number on average? I see you're in Greece - do you measure BG in mmol/L or mg/dL or another way?

Hills m/d dry food.

We strongly recommend low carb wet food only. Even the prescription diet dry foods are far too high in carbs. If you can find canned food in a grocery store where you are that is a pate version (has no sauce or gravy in it) that can work. Are Friskies or Fancy Feast available there? The pate versions of those are good to feed.

I'm testing him at home.

Excellent! What type of glucose meter are you using - one for humans or one for pets?

firstly he's ALWAYS hungry AF.He wants to eat all day.

Diabetic cats are literally starving because lack of insulin or poor response to insulin is preventing glucose from food getting into the cells. This improves over time as the blood glucose levels are better controlled.

Secondly his fur from the neck and below is very oily.

Diabetic cats often have poor coat quality. High blood sugar and dehydration that is caused by excessive urination contribute to this. This also improves as BG is better regulated.

I was thinking ordering Orijen catfood (dry).

There are very few acceptable dry foods. One that some people use is available only in the US. I strongly encourage you to look for acceptable low carb wet foods.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

This is the spreadsheet we use here. It would be very helpful to us if you set one up for your kitty:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/

 

[Viktoria84]

Welcome! We can help and support you as you treat your diabetic kitty.


That's a very high dose for akitty who was diagnosed only two months ago. What dose was he started on? how quickly was the dose raised? Do you have a good set of blood glucose data? What is his highest/lowest number on average? I see you're in Greece - do you measure BG in mmol/L or mg/dL or another way?


We strongly recommend low carb wet food only. Even the prescription diet dry foods are far too high in carbs. If you can find canned food in a grocery store where you are that is a pate version (has no sauce or gravy in it) that can work. Are Friskies or Fancy Feast available there? The pate versions of those are good to feed.


Excellent! What type of glucose meter are you using - one for humans or one for pets?


Diabetic cats are literally starving because lack of insulin or poor response to insulin is preventing glucose from food getting into the cells. This improves over time as the blood glucose levels are better controlled.


Diabetic cats often have poor coat quality. High blood sugar and dehydration that is caused by excessive urination contribute to this. This also improves as BG is better regulated.


There are very few acceptable dry foods. One that some people use is available only in the US. I strongly encourage you to look for acceptable low carb wet foods.

We started on 2iu twice a day.
His highest was one 504 mg/dl.
Now he's between 100-135.
I'm using a human glu meter, but the vet told me there's no problem.
I'm using also royal canin wet food for diabetic felines.
Friskies are suitable for diabetic felines?

 

[Kris & Teasel]

His highest was one 504 mg/dl.
Now he's between 100-135.

If he's consistently in the range of 100 to 135 at his lowest point that's very good! Does he go very high morning and evening before the next shot at the 4 u dose?

I'm using a human glu meter, but the vet told me there's no problem

You're right. Human meter test strips are cheaper.

I'm using also royal canin wet food for diabetic felines.

I don't know with certainty but I think this wet food is more medium in carb level rather than low. It's good to use if you think his BG is going to drop too low. Yes, Friskies pate type foods are fine and are low carb foods.

RE food: a switch to low carb wet food only can have a dramatic effect on BG in some cats. The BG can drop significantly and the insulin dose you were giving suddenly is too high. The food changeover has to be done when you can monitor BG often for a few days.

 

[Viktoria84]

If he's consistently in the range of 100 to 135 at his lowest point that's very good! Does he go very high morning and evening before the next shot at the 4 u dose?


You're right. Human meter test strips are cheaper.


I don't know with certainty but I think this wet food is more medium in carb level rather than low. It's good to use if you think his BG is going to drop too low. Yes, Friskies pate type foods are fine and are low carb foods.

RE food: a switch to low carb wet food only can have a dramatic effect on BG in some cats. The BG can drop significantly and the insulin dose you were giving suddenly is too high. The food changeover has to be done when you can monitor BG often for a few days.

His highest point is 145-150 .
I also make random measurements to check him- he never has glu >150. I'm a nurse so I'm used in monitoring
So you think I can try friskies pate?i thought friskies weren't good for our pets (quality) .
Any ideas on oily fur?bath maybe?

 

[Kris & Teasel]

His highest point is 145-150 .
I also make random measurements to check him- he never has glu >150. I'm a nurse so I'm used in monitoring
So you think I can try friskies pate?i thought friskies weren't good for our pets (quality) .
Any ideas on oily fur?bath maybe?

The ingredients in Friskies aren't that much different than in the prescription wet foods. Some think Fancy Feast is a bit better so you can try that if you can get it. One prescription wet food that's low in carbs is Purina Pro Plan DM (Dietetic Management) food if your vet can get it in Greece.

His BG levels are in a remarkably narrow range for an insulin like Caninsulin. Do you test BG before you feed and give insulin AM and PM to see what his BG is when the insulin has worn off?

I think his fur will improve over time. For better hydration (helps coat condition) I always add enough warm water to my cat's meals to make a "stew". As for giving a bath - if you're brave, do it!

 

[Viktoria84]

The ingredients in Friskies aren't that much different than in the prescription wet foods. Some think Fancy Feast is a bit better so you can try that if you can get it. One prescription wet food that's low in carbs is Purina Pro Plan DM (Dietetic Management) food if your vet can get it in Greece.

His BG levels are in a remarkably narrow range for an insulin like Caninsulin. Do you test BG before you feed and give insulin AM and PM to see what his BG is when the insulin has worn off?

I think his fur will improve over time. For better hydration (helps coat condition) I always add enough warm water to my cat's meals to make a "stew". As for giving a bath - if you're brave, do it!

Purina DM is available here!
I give him insulin 12.00-24.00 .
The peak of caninsulin is at 2hrs after the injection.
I tested him before- during- after that and also randomly.His results are quite good.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

If you switch to a lower-carb food then the insulin needs will likely decrease and thus the current insulin dose may cause the BG to go too low.
Caninsulin (called Vetsulin in USA) peeks at about 4-5 hours. Do y ohave any BG at 4-5 hours after the shot?

 

[Viktoria84]

If you switch to a lower-carb food then the insulin needs will likely decrease and thus the current insulin dose may cause the BG to go too low.
Caninsulin (called Vetsulin in USA) peeks at about 4-5 hours. Do y ohave any BG at 4-5 hours after the shot?

Yes, 2, 4, hrs later it is around 90-120 (insuline peak).
I have it in mind the decrease of the dose .
I think I will give a shot to friskies

 

[Yong & Maury GA]

In regards to the oily fur, is that the place that you give his shots? I've recently noticed my boy's fur has become quite soft around his injection sites. Wonder if it's because of the insulin and or injections.

 

[Viktoria84]

In regards to the oily fur, is that the place that you give his shots? I've recently noticed my boy's fur has become quite soft around his injection sites. Wonder if it's because of the insulin and or injections.

Yong, I also noticed that!the head and the spot im giving him the injections is really soft!
I actually thought that it is slowly getting softer and softer due to the glucose levels that are stable now...
The fur is oily from the shot spot at the neck and below (his back and his belly)

 

[JanetNJ]

My cat's fur was very oily just before diagnosis and for several weeks after. What I did was take a tablespoon of cornstarch and rub it in her fur, then comb it out with a flea comb to get as much out as I could (since cornstarch is a carb... don't want her really licking much of it). It did the trick though and absorbed the grease. only had to do it once, because after that her bg levels were more regulated and her fur looked better.