Diagnosis Today

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Amy & Revson

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My kitty mouser (Revson) was confirmed diabetic today. He's actually in bad shape with ketone issues and is in the "ICU" at the vets. I struggled with what to do, but decided I had to try to help him. He is about 12 years old (I've had him for 8 years, but he was a stray). He's out-lived two dogs and now has 2 labs and another kitty to share his house. He used to be a "football" but is now super-model skinny. He is living with my ex-husband, but I'll need to move him soon. For the first few weeks my ex and I will have to share his care, with most of it falling to him.

My vet explained that I would need to give him 2x daily insulin injections and that his schedule would be important. My ex has type 2 diabetes, so I'm familiar with the basics. The vet also recommended this website. I've been reading here tonight and am impressed by the help offered, but overwhelmed by the prospect of care. I'm a mess.

Amy
 
Amy,
Please don't be a mess! It is terrific that your vet recommended this site! You said your ex is diabetic? Do you know if he is on board with home testing Revson?
Once he gets out of ICU and can go home, the vet will have taken care of the emergency situation to a large extent. I am guessing that part of the treatment at home may be administering sub-q fluids if Revson has DKA issues. But that's for then.
Some basic things you need to know.
Diet for diabetic cats (sugarcats) is critical. Ideally, you would feed nothing but low-carb canned food. What has he eaten up to this point in his life?
A 2nd thing is home testing BG levels, which you can use the same meter your ex uses for testing his own BG. Are you and he prepared to do that?
Third is insulin. Find out what kind of insulin the vet intends on prescribing.

You made the right choice! Feline diabetes is very managable by you, at home. Once Revson's crisis is over, you'll find it is not anywhere near as overwhelming as you might think it is today.

Welcome to the FDMB!
Carl in SC
 
Thanks Carl.

Revson has eaten dry food for most of his life. However he has been losing teeth (thus the suspected guess for weight loss, not diabetes) and has been eating wet food more often. He and the other cat, Inky, have been getting a can to share along with 24/7 dry food.

The first time I heard about testing was here, so will have to talk to the ex about that. I think he'll do it and I'll do it when I take over in a couple of weeks. Thanks for letting me know I can use his glucometer. I'll find out more about insulin treatment as Rev is improving.

Amy
 
Amy,
If you click the link in my sig, it'll take you to a page full of nutrition links. A couple of those are Janet and Binky's canned food lists. Not sure what he eats now, but they are probably on those lists. Pay attention to the %carbs column. Ideally, you want to feed food with a carb # of less than 10%. Fancy Feast Classics, Friskees Pates are two that are commonly fed by members here. Affordable, and much better for kitty than any vet prescribed canned foods. If your vet suggests Hills or Science Diet that are only available from him/her, then show him/her the charts and how commercially available foods are actually lower carbs. Most vets don't seem to realize that.
Carl
 
Hi Amy,
I suppose just about everyone arrives here 'a mess' some rather hysterical.....like me!
Honestly it has become rather a gift in disguise.
The board is the most knowledgable and freindly place. A real family and open 24 hours a day as we are world wide.
And we are TOTAL cat people.
As it happens I now run this wonderful thing called Newbie Kits,
You must have one.
A glucometer, test strips, lancets, a rice sockie (to warm the kitties ear) a bag of super healthy and tasty low carb treats to tempt your cat into loving the testing, and a toy, maybe two...oh the highest quality cat nip around.
All for the price of postage.
If you want a donation...but not required.
Testing will empower you and help us to help you get your baby regulated and who knows...an awful lot of cats go into remission around here.
We like PZI, Levemir or Lantus if you can score one of those insulins.
Look below for my newbie kits link right on this post ok.
Lori
and Tom
 
Lori & Tom... thanks too!

I saw your kits earlier when I was looking around the site. I will order one tomorrow when I have my credit card in hand.

My vet will give me a call each day with an update, cross your fingers!
She said he'll probably be there about 5 days.

I'm not too concerned about getting a blood sample from Revson, he's very laid back.
The biggest issue will be able to find time with a busy schedule for multiple testings each day.

Low Carb food question... under 10% is ideal, but is there a minimum value?

Amy
 
Amy & Revson said:
Low Carb food question... under 10% is ideal, but is there a minimum value?
Amy
Click to expand...

You know, I don't think anyone has ever asked me that before. Hmmm. I'd say the lower the better. I feed Bob shrimp as a treat, and they have no carbs. Most of the FF classics I feed him have 3-7 I think. Key point - the less carbs Revson gets, the less insulin he'll end up needing as a regular dose. The two go hand in hand. The recommendation is usually to wean them off the dry, not switch all at once to canned. The reason is that the change to wet can cause his BG to drop 100 or more points all by itself. That could put him in a situation where his insulin dose becomes "too high" even though it isn't changed. The starting dose suggested here is 1u twice a day (BID) at the most, unless the kitty has other complications or conditions that merit a higher starting dose.

Carl
 
Amy a cat's natural diet (the way nature intended) is actually virtually carb free.
mouse, lizard, bird...rabbit....usually only the muscle meat and sans the organs. so if they eat the stomach they may get some carbs from the food in the animal....but carb free is fine.
You can feed raw rabbit by natures variety.
Tom eats raw chicken livers cut up...no carbs.
Lori
 
Welcome!

There is a ton of information here. It was very overwhelming for me, so I put together a "Quick Start Guide" (see my signature). It has some stuff specific to Lantus, which we use, or Levemir, but the testing and nutrition stuff is general for PZI. If your vet recommends anything else, I would strongly advise arguing and finding a new vet. There is some debate here b/w the 3 insulins above, but very little debate that they are much better for the cat, and much more likely to lead to healing and remission, than any of the old options.
 
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