FOOD. Immediately post FD diagnosis and DKA.

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Amy Dobson

Amy Dobson

Member Since 2015
My lovely 13 year old boy was diagnosed 5 days ago with FD.
He's been in hospital for the last 4 days with DKA.
Thinking positively, I'm looking forward to getting him back to the comfort of his own home. I'm sure similarly to many other people post-diagnosis, I've been researching the condition non stop. As a result I've ordered lots of different food, after over read various articles/reports/reviews on what the best diet might be. The bigger consensus seems to be high protein/low carb (he doesn't have pancreatitis).
I've been feeding him Bozita for the past couple years, which ironically I'm learning many diabetic cats do well with.
But I've also ordered Hill's Prescription MD.. but despite being very high protein and low carb, might not be good I hear? But why are prescription diets bad?
Does anyone use James Wellbeloved grain free?
Does anyone supplement their food with taurine?
Does anyone use raw or homemade food? (I'm wondering about doing a 50/50 home cooked / Bonita diet.
What food (other than honey on gums) do people keep as a go-to, to lift BG levels when needed?
I'd be so grateful for any advice and shared diet experiences. Huge thanks in advance.
 
Hi Amy and extra-sweet Murphy,
(Waving to you from a blustery Cobham in Surrey...)

Welcome to FDMB (and I'm glad you've found your way here from Facebook) :bighug:

We recommend that diabetic kitties eat wet food that has less than 10% calories from carbohydrates, and most of the Bozita foods (the 'ordinary' tetrapaks and the canned foods) fit the bill. There are some other foods that Bozita makes that are higher carb though.
The James Wellbeloved wet foods, Turkey and Lamb, seem to be less than 10% calories from carbs (9.5% and 8.9% respectively) but the second ingredient is pea protein and they also contain cassava and potato. This food may be fine for some cats, but possibly not for those who are carb-sensitive.
There is a list of some UK foods here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1J5JpMe6TDXrHq_aTl9hUtHy6Gs9oRBqlz4nPGKxtySA/pubhtml

And here's a link to a recent post where I tried to collate some food info for new UK folks:
UK Diabetic Cat Food Info (including link to low carb food list)

Most people here don't feed prescription foods, although a few people do.
Most prescription foods are too high in carbohydrates. The Purina DM canned is less than 10% calories from carbs, but it is predominantly liver based and contains corn, wheat and soya. (In short, there are better foods out there for less cost....)

I do supplement my older cats' diets with a little taurine, but think I'm in the minority on that. And, theoretically, a good diet should provide enough taurine. (I supplement a little because my cats no longer get vaccinated and I want to boost their immune systems; and because I've found it can give a 'lift' to a cat that is a little 'off'.)

There are folks here who feed raw food. Some complete raw foods can be bought in the UK, or it is possible to make your own. See here for more info: http://www.catinfo.org/?link=makingcatfood

Honey is fine for raising the blood glucose level fast. You can also use liquid glucose (from baking section of supermarket; and not actually 'liquid', it's slightly gloopy), or glucogel (made for human diabetics). If the cat is eating OK then a little honey/glucose can be added to a small amount of food (it's not always necessary to put the honey/glucose on the gums).
The Gourmet Gold 'in gravy' foods are also useful (more info on that in the UK cat food link above) as these are quite high carb.

I see from your signature that you've got a glucose meter (Alphatrak). That's great. If you can learn to hometest then it will make it a lot easier to manage Murphy's diabetes.

And since Murphy has been dx with DKA it would be wise for you to monitor his pee for ketones. You should be able to get Ketodiastix (or equivalent) test strips from most pharmacies. Does Murphy use a litter tray? Crumpling clingfilm in the tray is a good way to catch a sample and you only need a tiny amount.

Is Murphy coming home today?

Eliz
 
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Welcome Amy and Murphy! Yes, you sound just like all of us, diagnosis: feline diabetes: cry, read, read, read, read. After talking to my vet about changing to low/no carb foods, I'm one who takes the stance that the food shouldn't be drastically changed in the first few weeks. Yes, you should switch to a lower carb then you've been feeding, but when your kitty is first diagnosed and beginning to get insulin, his body needs to learn what to do with it and that can take a little time.

Many of the foods that we've all been feeding are so very high in carbs, that a drop into the teens is going to be easier for your cat to adjust to. A gradual change is going to make things a little easier.
 
I want to add this: my cats have always been free fed dry kibble. Due to so much I've read here, they're no longer allowed to graze and I've been gradually adding more and more wet food and tapering off the dry. All 6 of my cats are now always RAVENOUSLY HUNGRY at feeding time. They won't let me sleep past 4am, feeding time is at 5:30am and they pester me NONSTOP for and hour and a half. I think that because the wet foods second ingredient is broth (water), that they need food faster. I think today I'm going to to start going back to feeding the very low carb, (8%) Evo dry.
 
Thank you so much Eliz and Tammy... fantastic replies, really helpful!

Very blustery in Sherston (Wiltshire) too.
But.. Murphy has no ketones.. My baby is home! Kids are at school, so it's nice and peaceful. I'm more than over the moon, this boy is my everything :cat:
He's been super purry since he's been back.

I know I've written I use the alphatrak on my signature, but ive not got it yet. I'm so nervous. The vet said that he'll be bouncing for a few days, until his body gets used to the insulin and knows what to do with it. So therefore he says it will be pointless me using one and freaking myself out, until he himself stabilises.
Should I trust what he's saying? Is this a usual part of the process?
 
In retrospect, your vet may be right. I remember when Goof was first diagnosed, I would freak out after looking at his numbers everytime I tested him, he was all over the place. But I'm glad to hear you'll be home testing and that your vet recommends it, I can't believe how many vets say it isn't neccesary.

Hopefully, when you get your meter, your vet will give you a hands-on tutorial on the proper way to do the BG test and how to administer the insulin. I'll tell you not to be scared or nervous, but just like the rest of us when we first started, you will be, it's normal. After you get more comfortable with testing and understanding the numbers, you may want to switch to a human meter do to the cost of the test strips for the Alphtrak. Im actually going to investigate the new iPet meter. I'm glad your baby is home!
 
You can use an inexpensive human meter and the reference numbers in my signature link Glucometer Notes.
 
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