I am curious about diet, I have been told by vet to restrict food to twice daily and have read that open access is ok? Also vet sold us Purina DM and again I am reading that wet food is what should be given and not to use the Purina DM? Ginger is an older cat and we have two others that are healthy so not really sure what to do here. Additionally I am reading about home monitoring and I am curious about how one get the blood sample at home? Also a bit unsure of the whole treatment plan, we have a rocky start but seem to be getting the hang of it however Ginger does not appear to be doing very well, appetite is on low side, activity is minimal, she is appearing to be hot and wants cool floors and or outdoors. Any help would be great!
Diabetics and treatment
- Thread starter Blackwood
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Elizabeth and Bertie
Member Since 2010
Hello and welcome to FDMB!
When was Ginger diagnosed? Is he on insulin yet? What type and what dose?
Yes, wet low carb food is better for diabetic cats but for cats on insulin it's important NOT to remove dry food UNTIL you are testing the blood glucose at home. That's because removing dry food can reduce the cat's blood glucose levels and a lower insulin dose may be needed as a result. If you're not hometesting then you won't know the effect that the diet change is having on your cat.
I am concerned that Ginger seems inactive and that his appetite is reduced... Newly diagnosed diabetic cats are usually very hungry...
I would strongly suggest that you test Ginger's pee for ketones. You can test the pee by using 'Ketostix' which can be bought from the pharmacy. Ketones can build up quickly in the body and result in a condition called DKA. DKA is very dangerous, and expensive to treat... Or your cat may have an infection. If your cat's condition remains the same for more than a day then I think a vet visit would be in order to work out exactly what the problem is.
As to how we test our cats' blood glucose at home, you may want to take a look at this link which explains the whole process. Although it seems alarming at first you will very quickly get the hang of it! http://www.sugarpet.net/bloodtst.html
Edited to add: Some folks here feed at fixed meal times, maybe several times thoughout the day. Others free-feed and have food available all the time.
When was Ginger diagnosed? Is he on insulin yet? What type and what dose?
Yes, wet low carb food is better for diabetic cats but for cats on insulin it's important NOT to remove dry food UNTIL you are testing the blood glucose at home. That's because removing dry food can reduce the cat's blood glucose levels and a lower insulin dose may be needed as a result. If you're not hometesting then you won't know the effect that the diet change is having on your cat.
I am concerned that Ginger seems inactive and that his appetite is reduced... Newly diagnosed diabetic cats are usually very hungry...
I would strongly suggest that you test Ginger's pee for ketones. You can test the pee by using 'Ketostix' which can be bought from the pharmacy. Ketones can build up quickly in the body and result in a condition called DKA. DKA is very dangerous, and expensive to treat... Or your cat may have an infection. If your cat's condition remains the same for more than a day then I think a vet visit would be in order to work out exactly what the problem is.
As to how we test our cats' blood glucose at home, you may want to take a look at this link which explains the whole process. Although it seems alarming at first you will very quickly get the hang of it! http://www.sugarpet.net/bloodtst.html
Edited to add: Some folks here feed at fixed meal times, maybe several times thoughout the day. Others free-feed and have food available all the time.
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Member Since 2009
Welcome! It's wonderful that you are reading and learning more about FD. Many of us free feed; we feel it supports the pancreas as it heals. The idea is to take what you normally feed and divide it into several small meals during the day and night. Some of us use an automatic feeder; some freeze the food so the kitty can snack as it thaws out. Purina DM dry is not a good choice. It is 13% carbs; we stay under 8%. But the bigger issue is that dry food is not good for carnivores. A vet explans why here: www.catinfo.org Many of us feed Fancy Feast or Friskies or Wellness or Merrick - whatever we can afford that the cat will eat. Here are a couple of our food charts:
Janet and Binky’s chart
Another food chart: http://www.parenting-furkids.com/index.php?topic=747.0
Dr. Lisa’s site
The site is a great beginning site for hometesters: Newbie hometesting site and here is a video: Video for hometesting
As Elizabeth asked What insulin are you using? What dose?
Please note: To echo Elizabeth: We would not suggest you change the food UNTIL YOU ARE HOMETESTING. When we switched Oliver from dry to wet, he went down 100 points overnight. If we had just given our normal dose, he would have hypoed. Get the hometesting down and then change the food, monitoring for change levels.
Janet and Binky’s chart
Another food chart: http://www.parenting-furkids.com/index.php?topic=747.0
Dr. Lisa’s site
The site is a great beginning site for hometesters: Newbie hometesting site and here is a video: Video for hometesting
As Elizabeth asked What insulin are you using? What dose?
Please note: To echo Elizabeth: We would not suggest you change the food UNTIL YOU ARE HOMETESTING. When we switched Oliver from dry to wet, he went down 100 points overnight. If we had just given our normal dose, he would have hypoed. Get the hometesting down and then change the food, monitoring for change levels.
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