Harley Baby & Michele
Member Since 2018
I am thrilled to have found this group. I initially discovered www.catinfo.org and printed way to many pages! I read the food info repeatedly and my mind was blown by the info. I have tried nearly every available DRY food thinking I was doing the right thing for my cats (4). I always avoided the cheaper grocery brands and went for the DRY expensive, holistic, grain free, super duper fabulous foods. Phooey!
I would just like to share a bit of my journey so far as maybe someone can take away a bit of info. Harley is a 13 year old Tabby who was a failed 4 week old foster kitten. I am also adored
by Zoe, Serena (hyperthyroid), and Oliver (a tad hefty at 20#, adopted at 9 years old).
About 1 year ago, Harley had a dental cleaning. His glucose was slightly elevated around 200 and attributed to stress. About 4 months ago he saw Vet for progressive weight loss and progressively picky eating. Again, glucose just around 190. My Vet started Purina DM canned and dry. Also started Mirtazepine to stimulate appetite. He refused to eat the canned food and was picky with the dry. I free feed so all cats were eating the same. This is when I found the canned food list at cat info.org.
Much to my amazement I purchased Fancy Feast and Friskies Canned food. Everyone loved it. I then discovered Dr Elsey's. Unfortunately, none of the cats cared for the canned. Dr Elsey's was extremely forthcoming via email with info on carb count! I now feed Dr Elsey's dry food and a mix of Fancy Feast, Friskies, and Paws Happy Life. Paws was also very helpful with carb counts. I have never in my life spent so much time in a grocery store reading food labels!!
Moving on. About 2 months ago, I saw Harley vomit. He become progressively lethargic, wouldn't eat or drink over about 16 hours. Next morning went to vet, he was in DKA. Blood sugar 250 but Ketones off the chart. After 2 days, 2 nights and many tears he pulled through. Unable to start insulin as he kept bottoming out on only 0.5units insulin with the vet. Went home, gave SQ fluids for 4 days and hoped for the best.
He was doing well, great appetite, drank water often. Memorial weekend he vomited, stopped eating. Ketones high, glucose 190's. Back to the Vet. Back in DKA. Again, 2 days and 2 nights with Vet.
He is now on 0.5Units Novolin N, 2x/day. Glucose 120-385. Negative ketones. Eating, drinking. I am checking glucose every 4 hours for the next several days just to make sure he doesn't bottom out and to see how he is responding. So far OK.
My take away is when he vomits - check his Ketones!!! He rarely hacks up hairballs so vomiting is a bad sign for him. After all I have read about DKA, my Baby Harley is one tough kitty!
Thanks for letting me vent. This really felt good to unload.
I would just like to share a bit of my journey so far as maybe someone can take away a bit of info. Harley is a 13 year old Tabby who was a failed 4 week old foster kitten. I am also adored
by Zoe, Serena (hyperthyroid), and Oliver (a tad hefty at 20#, adopted at 9 years old).About 1 year ago, Harley had a dental cleaning. His glucose was slightly elevated around 200 and attributed to stress. About 4 months ago he saw Vet for progressive weight loss and progressively picky eating. Again, glucose just around 190. My Vet started Purina DM canned and dry. Also started Mirtazepine to stimulate appetite. He refused to eat the canned food and was picky with the dry. I free feed so all cats were eating the same. This is when I found the canned food list at cat info.org.
Much to my amazement I purchased Fancy Feast and Friskies Canned food. Everyone loved it. I then discovered Dr Elsey's. Unfortunately, none of the cats cared for the canned. Dr Elsey's was extremely forthcoming via email with info on carb count! I now feed Dr Elsey's dry food and a mix of Fancy Feast, Friskies, and Paws Happy Life. Paws was also very helpful with carb counts. I have never in my life spent so much time in a grocery store reading food labels!!
Moving on. About 2 months ago, I saw Harley vomit. He become progressively lethargic, wouldn't eat or drink over about 16 hours. Next morning went to vet, he was in DKA. Blood sugar 250 but Ketones off the chart. After 2 days, 2 nights and many tears he pulled through. Unable to start insulin as he kept bottoming out on only 0.5units insulin with the vet. Went home, gave SQ fluids for 4 days and hoped for the best.
He was doing well, great appetite, drank water often. Memorial weekend he vomited, stopped eating. Ketones high, glucose 190's. Back to the Vet. Back in DKA. Again, 2 days and 2 nights with Vet.
He is now on 0.5Units Novolin N, 2x/day. Glucose 120-385. Negative ketones. Eating, drinking. I am checking glucose every 4 hours for the next several days just to make sure he doesn't bottom out and to see how he is responding. So far OK.
My take away is when he vomits - check his Ketones!!! He rarely hacks up hairballs so vomiting is a bad sign for him. After all I have read about DKA, my Baby Harley is one tough kitty!
Thanks for letting me vent. This really felt good to unload.
