Haven't started insulin yet... is food change safe?

[PooterC]

I believe my cat has had the signs of diabetes for a few months now, but he was just recently diagnosed. He starts insulin tomorrow night.

Our cats were eating dry food, but since I found out about the diabetes I switched them all to the Friskies pate. Is this ok? He starts Prozinc tomorrow, 1 1/2 units twice a day. He's been on the friskies for just a couple days. Will it somehow hurt him having this large drop in carbs all of a sudden? Do I need to get some dry food to supplement for a while?

 

[FurBabiesMama]

It's great that you made the food switch. I would recommend that you get a glucose meter and start testing before you start insulin. Often, a change to low-carb food dramatically lowers blood glucose. So, it's great to make the switch before starting insulin, but it's important to know what the blood glucose level is before you start insulin. 1 1/2 units is even higher than the normal starting dose of 1 unit. I would not start insulin without knowing what the cat's glucose levels are even if that means putting off insulin for another day or two.

 

[AmandaE]

Friskies Pate is awesome! that's what I feed Mowgli, along with Fancy Feast - especially when it's on sale! I think switching to wet food can be one of the most challenging parts about a diabetes diagnosis, fingers crossed you don't have any picky kitties! The only concern that I would have about a sudden and full change to wet food is that it could upset their tummies. When I made the transition to wet food the advice I got around here was to do it gradually to avoid stained carpets

I agree with FurBabiesMama that you might want to get a glucose meter so that you can have a good idea of how Pooter's Blood glucose levels are reacting to the switch from dry food to wet food. Some cats are able to go into remission from a diet change alone - without ever having to take insulin! You can use a human glucose meter (most advice on the forum is directed at human meters) and they're available at any drug store. Many people on the forum use the Relion Blood Glucose Monitor from Walmart because the test strips are very affordable.

I don't have any experience with ProZinc but you can learn some of the basics from the stickies at the top of the ProZinc Insulin Support Group Page. Once Pooter starts on insulin you can post directly in this forum for ProZinc specific advice from experienced users. To help them give you the best advice it would be helpful for you to set up a signature along with a spreadsheet for tracking his Blood glucose levels and any lab work. This will enable members to know the basics about Pooter at a glance (the signature shows up at the bottom of every one of your posts). To set up your signature you just have to do the following:

1. Click on your name in the upper right hand corner of the page (beside 'Inbox' and 'Alerts')
2. Select "Signature" on the left hand side of the menu that drops down.
3. Create your signature including the following information
   • Your cat's name and age
   • The date of diabetes diagnosis
   • The type of insulin you're using and the dosage
   • What glucose meter you're using (if you're testing your cat at home)
   • What food he/she eats
   • Any medication your cat takes as well as any pre-existing conditions they might have
   • Time Zone that you live in
4. Click "Save"

You can find instructions for setting up a spreadsheet HERE

Welcome to the forum and good luck to you and Pooter, I'm looking forward to seeing you around

 

[Lisa and Witn (GA)]

Removing dry food from a diet can significantly lower the glucose levels. I also am suggesting that you start testing before you give the first dose. Depending on the results, you may need to skip the shot or lower the dose.

 

[Amina&M'row]

Such good advice, to check blood glucose after kitty is on a better diet before starting insulin, as a lower dose may be required. How to get this info out, loud and up front? I didnt know this until well after I would have needed to. Thanks for all the wisdom!

 

[Lisa and Witn (GA)]

Such good advice, to check blood glucose after kitty is on a better diet before starting insulin, as a lower dose may be required. How to get this info out, loud and up front? I didnt know this until well after I would have needed to. Thanks for all the wisdom!

I wish it was mandatory that all vets would teach the owners how to test and start with diet change first. Only in a perfect world...