Great news re Austins levels and new diet!!!

[4xchooks]

Hi guys. It's been a while since I was last in here, firstly for being too stressed after Austins massive hypo, and then because I made some changes and life's gooooooood!!

After his hypo I thought "bugger this" and changed his diet the best I knew how and could reasonably sustain within the household budget and practically. I took all his biscuits away, including the dreaded Hills M/D and bought some cat mince from a pet store, which he didn't like. Needing something to feed him that night, I grabbed some fresh cat meat at the local supermarket and he loves it and it agrees with him, so I've kept him on it. I've gone from feeding the 2 cats at about $80/week down to $10/week.

I did try to make my own cat food, but it was too much fuss and not something I would have kept up. With his current food, I buy it in a 2kg bag and freeze it in portions. He does seems to eat more, but it's too hot here to leave out all day, so maybe it just feels like I'm feeding him more because I'm feeding him more often.

Since changing to the supermarket brand food, his breath no longer stinks (which the vet said was due to age and mouth disease and charged me a fortune for a clean earlier in the year and which didn't do anything), the weakness in his back legs has dramatically reduced (no longer wobbly like before. Still a bit weak, though I'm guessing him being 13 also plays a part in this), he's put on weight and back to a healthy weight, his coat is like that of a cat 10 years younger, he's happy (weird, but pet lovers will get what I mean by this), AND he's taken to beating the dogs up again (i.e. must be feeling better!).

After his hypo I gradually increased his insulin (lantus) back up and I swear I took his BG every 15 minutes for the first few weeks. I can't recall what dose the vet wanted me to go up to, but it was waaay too high, and he wanted to do it in a shorter time frame than I did. Unfortunately, I have to say that if I had followed this particular vets advice regarding dosing, Austin would have had another hypo almost straight away and he was so weak after the first one I don't know if he would have pulled through another one.

Currently, we're on 2 units of Lantus twice a day (sorry, have forgotten the abbreviations) and his levels are sitting at high 4's (conversion = about 90). Demand feeding fresh pet meat only. No treats (though Austin's never been a fan of treats anyway).

My next step will be to wean him down another half a unit for a few weeks and see how that goes. I'm also going to need more insulin soon, so I'll book him in for a curve and check up (so I can say na-na-nana-na!!).

For those reading with newly diagnosed cats, I found (and still do find) some of the advice on this forum intimidating in it's complexity, but please persist trying to understand and help your pet; they have provided us with many years of great enjoyment and love, we owe it to them.

 

[Lisa dvm]

I grabbed some fresh cat meat at the local supermarket

I assume that this is a balanced commercial cat food for long-term use?

The term "fresh cat meat" is a bit confusing.

 

[janelle and Nomad]

There.are some varieties of both nine lives and friskies that are relatively low in carbs. 6o back to the announcements and you can get that link.Many readers use fancy feast but that may even be beyond some reader's budget.Just switching to wet food for my diabetic cat lowered his blood sugar about 50 points.I currently have eleven cats so when I switched my feline crew over to wet food I thought it. Would cost more but it cost me less.

You can also feed your kitty raw ground chicken, pork or beef. Most stores have some form of natural hormone free ground meat. I would not use this as an exclusive food source since it doesn't have all the nutrients but you could alternate it with wet food or supplement.

The most important thing is that you are learning and continuing to try and manage your cat's condition.Sometimes board members can overwhelm a new person with information (I am sure I have probably done this myself too).You will even find times we disagree with each other. Ultimately it is up to you to decide what is best for your kitty and circumstances.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Another tool that will really help is to set up a spreadsheet. It is color coded and gives you a great visual on how things are going. It is also vital if you have a problem and come on to ask for help. Here are the directions: Setting up a spreadsheet If you are a little computer savvy, it isn't hard. But if you need help, just ask.

 

[Lisa dvm]

You can also feed your kitty raw ground chicken, pork or beef. Most stores have some form of natural hormone free ground meat.

I do not advocate the feeding of pre-ground supermarket meat in the raw form. Please see my Making Cat Food page - Safety section for more explanation.