First post - hello everyone

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Linda1313

Member Since 2021
My baby girl has recently been diagnosed with diabetes (2 weeks). I have a wee question about diet …. I have bought Purina DM wet and dry. I feed her twice a day and I’ve given a handful of dry. I think I’m going to ditch the dry completely as I’ve read even diabetic dry will raise glucose levels. Is this correct? Also is Purina ok? Any other low carb wet food I can try? She’s 12yrs old and been healthy throughout. She’s still active, alert and I took her to the vet cos she was drinking loads. I feel so so bad as I didn’t know dry food was bad. I feel as if her condition is my fault. She’s been fed mostly dry all her life.
Thank you. Linda
 
Welcome. We recommend low carb wet food. Purine DM dry is high carb. The wet is more middle. Most here feed don’t feed RX food. Many feed raw or fancy feast pates. Will she eat wet?

Are you testing at home? That’s the best way to keep her safe. Was she DKA ? Did she have ketones? Which insulin is she getting? If you change to a low carb wet diet she will need less insulin and has a good chance at becoming diet controlled. Most of us had no idea dry food was an issue for cats until they get sick.

Let us know how we can help.
 
Thanks so much tiffmaxee. Apologies …. What is RX food? I’m feeding her twice a day on Purina wet 2x85g and she eats everything. Yes we are testing at home and we’ve had a few hairy moments with the testing but the more we do it the more efficient we are getting. Tonight’s reading was 26.4 and the second glucose test after 2 hours was 14.2. What is DKA? I’m due to see the vet again on Tuesday so I will ask about ketones. She had a urine test which confirmed diabetes. She’s on caninsulin 2IU’s twice a day.
Any other brands I can buy? I’m in UK. Thanks so much.
 
Are you asking if there are other insulins for cats? If so the answer is a definite yes. The insulin you are using is harsh and fast acting leading to big drops. It’s okay for dogs. Most here use lantus, Levimir, or prozinc.
 
There are lots of low carb high protein foods. There is a food list at the top of this forum. RXis vet prescription food and it’s not needed.

Would you please set up a spreadsheet with all your test results? Good for you to be testing at home. What meter are you using, let or human? Our dosing methods were formulate using human meters. If using a pet meter that’s fine though. I’ll supply the link to the directions and also to setting up a signature.
 
Thanks I will check the food list. I will have a good look around the website too as I’m sure all the questions I’m asking can be found on here and don’t want to be a pain. Might take me a while to do the spreadsheet but I’ll do my best. I use an Alpha Trak 2.
The hardest part in the last 2 weeks has been putting her on twice feeds when she’s been used to grazing for 12 years. I really do appreciate this forum …. Even though it’s my first post, I don’t feel alone any more. It’s been such a shock.
 
Welcome to FDMB.

There are a number of foods that are low in carbohydrates. We consider low carb (LC) to be under 10% although most people feed their cats foods that are around 5%. The Purina DM is 7%. This is a link to a chart one of our members compiled that lists foods and their nutritional content for members living in the UK.

There are alternatives to Caninsulin. Caninsulin was developed to treat dogs (hence the name). For many years, vets in the UK had to prescribe it as a first choice. In the US, it is no longer recommended for the treatment of feline diabetes due to its lack of adequate duration in cats. Prozinc and glargine are what is recommended in the US. Prozinc is now a first line choice in the UK.

Elise has provided several links to get you started. You may find this post on helping us to help you useful as all of the information and then some are all in one place.

Please let us know how we can help.
 
You are NOT being a pain. Ask as many questions as possible. But first add a signature. If you need help with the spreadsheet we have a few people that can set you up in a couple minutes.
 
Linda1313 said:
I think I’ve just completed a signature, please let me know if all ok.
Click to expand...
Your signature is not here this will help


For your signature

Go all the way up top to you name tap on it and a drop box will appear , you will see the word signature, tap that and just add all your information about baby girl and hit save.
If you are still having trouble setting things up we can have someone help you just ask
Take a look at my signature all about Tyler all signatures are at the end of everyone's posts in gray

Add info we need to help you:
  • Caregiver & kitty's name
  • DX: Date
  • Name of Insulin (do not include dose or frequency)
  • Name of your meter
  • Diet: "LC wet" or "dry food" or "combo"
  • Dosing: TR or SLGS or Custom (if applicable)
  • DKA or other recent health issue (if applicable)
  • Acro, IAA, or Cushings (if applicable)
  • Spreadsheet link. Please put the signature link on the bottom line of your signature information, on its own, so it is easy to find.
 
So sorry but I’ve tried and I’m just not able to do this. Thought I was pretty good at this stuff but typing info and when I go to save it says signature too long?
 
Linda1313 said:
Think I’ve done it - thank you.
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Yes, I can see it now! :)

Can you add her age and the date of diabetes diagnosis as well. please? Thanks!
And is she eating Purina Pro Plan DM canned?

You could try:
"Linda and Baby Girl. XX years. DX: Aug 2021. Caninsulin. Alpha Trak 2. No other health issues. Eating ProPlan DM canned but actively looking for alternatives."
 
Hi Bandit’s Mom , she’s eating Purina DM Pro Plan pouches. I’m trying to look on the UK list but can’t see 7% LC referred to earlier in the thread. I’m looking at Zooplus at the minute for an alternative. She likes the Purina. It I’d like to get the carbs down further. Was looking at Rosies Farm or Feringa. I’ve been looking for 3 hours this morning and no further on. I think I’m just exhausted to be honest. I’m not sleeping cos I’m just worried about her and I think my health is suffering too. I’m just worrying about her so much. It’s all just a lot to take in. Sorry ….
 
Hi Linda, what Sienne was referring to was the Purina Pro Plan DM wet food that you are feeding. That is 6% carbs and low carb. If Baby Girl likes it there is no urgency to change it.
Looking at the UK food list, Feringa does seem to have several flavours below 2% carbs. Are you not able to find the foods on Zooplus?

No need to apologize. You need to look after yourself too! :bighug:

I can help you with setting up your spreadsheet. I need some info to do that. Will send you a Private Message (PM). Look for it in the Inbox at the top right corner of this page.
 
Thank you so much Bandit’s Mum. I’ll check the spreadsheet info out later. I’ve just ordered some more food on Zooplus for variety. Think I was just tired this morning. I’m an early riser anyway but having to get up at 6am every morning when I’m not sleeping much anyway has been hard. I found the info Elizabeth and Bertie did for UK users fabulous and I thank them and all who contributed.
Is Caninsulin bad for cats then? She’s only been on this for just over a week ….. of course my goal is to get her off insulin so changing it again might be a bad thing? I’m convinced we have caught it early but who knows. She’s still very alert and engaging….. she caught a wee mouse the other night! She’s an outdoor cat but I’m keeping her in at night now but allowing her (only after food) to go out and sit on the decking and feel the wind in her fur. Would I just buy a ketones stick from the pharmacy? Is it specifically for cats? Is it ketones the vet routinely checks for when they test their urine?
I can’t thank you all enough for replying. It fills me with hope when I read some of your success stories on this forum. Linda
 
Linda1313 said:
I found the info Elizabeth and Bertie did for UK users fabulous and I thank them and all who contributed.
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Yes, @Elizabeth and Bertie works very hard to keep the food list updated :-)

Linda1313 said:
Is Caninsulin bad for cats then? She’s only been on this for just over a week ….. of course my goal is to get her off insulin so changing it again might be a bad thing? I’m convinced we have caught it early but who knows.
Click to expand...
Caninsulin is better suited to dogs than cats. In cats, it tends to hit hard and fast and then wear off before the next shot is due. Cats do better on gentler insulins like Prozinc or Lantus. Is there a chance you can convince your vet to switch her to one of them?

Linda1313 said:
Would I just buy a ketones stick from the pharmacy? Is it specifically for cats? Is it ketones the vet routinely checks for when they test their urine?
Click to expand...
Yes, you buy the human urine strips to test for ketones and yes, a urinalysis does test for the presence of ketones.

What was Baby Girl eating at the time of diagnosis? How long has she been eating the Proplan DM wet food and do you see an improvement in her numbers with the food change?
 
I’m seeing the vet on Wednesday so will ask him about changing insulin. She’s only been on the Purina DM food since last Thursday. She was on lots of different ones, purina gold ….. Sheba in sauce. Pate stuff … really whatever was on offer as she likes variety too. When she was first diagnosed she was 26mmol. The numbers had started to come down a wee bit then yesterday it jumped up to 26.4 but the second glucose reading 2 hours later was 14.2. We have been very very strict with her ….. she’s fed every 12 hours exactly and nothing in between.
So ….. when the vet tests the urine, do they test for glucose and ketones or are they the same thing?
 
What is the dose she is on? I would suggest getting more tests - say 4 to 6 hours after the insulin shot to see how low she is going on the dose.

Linda1313 said:
So ….. when the vet tests the urine, do they test for glucose and ketones or are they the same thing?
Click to expand...
Glucose and ketones are different and a urinalysis tests for both.
 
We find that feeding several smaller meals over the first half of the cycle is best if you change to lantus or Prozinc. With the insulin you are using you are doing it correctly. I hope you switch.
 
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