Finally able to test BG consistently

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pixiegirls & Boy

pixiegirls & Boy

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My orange tabby “Boy” was diagnosed with diabetes last fall (his vet felt he had been diabetic for awhile) and started on PZI. Unfortunately, he was not the fan of home blood glucose testing, no matter how many times I tried….until a few days ago. He isn’t thrilled about having me prick his ear, but has allowed me to test him twice a day or more. Since his BG is running high again (~410 recently), he’ll be going on a wet DM food diet and a lot of BG testing. Hoping that his diet was mostly the issue.

I am now trying to figure out the best way to work feedings with two other cats in the household. I’ll be giving all three the Purina DM wet food, but wondered if anyone had suggestions feeding a diabetic cat when there are two other cats here. They never stick to their own bowl of food and seem to eat from all three bowls. I want to be able to know how much Boy actually ate, not what was finally left after they were all done. Any suggestions on feeding with multiple cats would be greatly appreciated!

Pixie
 
Oh do I know how to feed a multicat household with a diabetic in the mix...I have 13 and only two of those are diabetic. First off...skip the DM it is pretty much over priced junk food ingredients wise and there is nothing magical about the ingredients. Just a pricey label. Everyone here eats exactly what my two diabetics eat, just good old fashioned Friskies Pate and Fancy Feast classics. This diet has put my one diabetic into remission and off insulin altogether, and my other one is flirting with going into remission.

Out of 13 cats not a single one of them would eat the DM for more than a couple of days, and even the dog turned up his nose at it, and he will just about eat anything if he thinks the cats are getting it...lol

As far as knowing what Boy is eating as opposed to the others, while I haven't had to do this with my diabetics I did have to do this with one of my non-diabetics because when I adopted him he was extremely overweight. I just set up a large dog crate in the kitchen where I feed everyone, and I would but Patches and his food in there, and then feed the rest of the Fur Gang, when they were done I would release Patches. Since it was wire mesh he didn't feel like he was alone while eating and he couldn't get in their food and they couldn't get to his. After a couple of days of this Patches would just go into the crate and sit and wait at feeding time.

Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
 
Thanks MommaofMuse for the suggestions! I really hadn't planned on getting another case of the DM food since I hadn't been using it a whole lot, but didn't exactly get an "okay" from the vet today, so figured for the first week or so I'd give him/other 2 the DM and work the Fancy Feast Classics (which they all like....except a few flavors none will eat) and see what kind of BG numbers I start to see.

Wow....13 cats! That must have been somewhat chaotic in the beginning with two diabetic cats. I swear my cats do the bowl switching to make sure they were being fed "fairly"....or want to finish what one took a break on, lol. I do not have a crate any longer, so may try feeding the 3 in different areas (with Boy next to me) to monitor them. His weight has been good, even gained 2 pounds.

That is fantastic your cats have gone off insulin or into remission! I'm hoping that Boy may be able to get to a stage like that someday. Since we aren't sure how long he has been diabetic (didn't show signs until later) and how high his blood glucose was, it's hard to determine what permanent damage he may have sustained. I do think it might be easier now if they are on a diet that is more controlled than leaving dry food out (even when it's low carb).

Thanks again...I appreciate it. Trying to think of a crate alternative I have around here....that does sound good!

Pixiegirl
 
Actually I adopted both of my diabetics as diabetics after I already had the other 11 and I'm waiting right now to hear when the third diabetic I'm adopting is going to be transported. :-D Plus there is a 97lb dog here as well so yeah life has always been a little hectic but never boring...lol

Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
 
Aww....that's awesome! The 3 I have were all cats my daughter brought home somehow. The last one was abused as a kitten and going to the spca so we took her in. Little bit of a nasty attitude, but can't blame her after what she went through. Taking in diabetic cats, or any animal with a chronic or serious medical problem, is a great thing if you have the ability, room, etc. to do it. When Boy was first diagnosed with diabetes, I couldn't imagine not treating him for it, but do realize that isn't the easiest for everyone. So it's definitely great hearing when people are able to adopt or foster the sick or undesirable kitties.
 
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