Sam & Oscar
Member Since 2019
Hello All!
My sweet boy was diagnosed ~2 weeks ago, and after scouring these pages for hours since, I thought I would introduce us.
In Mid-April we had the dog (Mona) to the vet for some allergy issues, and in attempt to get it under control we were experimenting with her food, adding fish oil, etc. It was around this time Oscar started being picky with his food, and since he is already a pretty finicky guy, I thought he was jealous of the dogs new fishy foods. So, I changed his food a little, but to no avail. We went on vacation for the first 2 weeks of June, and when we got returned it looked like he hadn't eaten. He had lost a lot of weight, and his normally shiny and soft fur was lackluster and wild!
He was diagnosed on 6/27 and immediately all of the pieces connected - he had been drinking more water, he is indoor/outdoor so doesn't us a litter box, so of course I wouldn't notice increase in urine! I felt terrible, but was determined to do my research and find the best course of action. So, the vets options were trying food control OR transitioning him to indoor cat status and starting insulin. This has been the hardest part, and I can say we are doing our best. He still comes out with Mona and I in the morning for his morning log scratches and potty break, but he has been using his litter box while locked in the house.
The vet finally yesterday gave me a meter (AT2) and encouraged me to start home testing. He has been on Lantus for ~1 week and it has been very nerve-wracking for me to not be able to test him. As far as food, I bought a case of the RC glycobalance from the vet right away before I could do all my research. The ingredients were not ideal for my preference, and the carbs higher @14%. So I started him on this, but then took him down to half lower carb, and yesterday no glyco at all. I didn't want to make the switch to the lowest carb diet until I could monitor him at home. The vet approves of my food choice and will help me to continue to monitor/adjust dosing as needed.
So that's our story - thanks for the support and community that is offered here - it has made me feel much more comfortable about this new journey!
Sam & Oscar
My sweet boy was diagnosed ~2 weeks ago, and after scouring these pages for hours since, I thought I would introduce us.
In Mid-April we had the dog (Mona) to the vet for some allergy issues, and in attempt to get it under control we were experimenting with her food, adding fish oil, etc. It was around this time Oscar started being picky with his food, and since he is already a pretty finicky guy, I thought he was jealous of the dogs new fishy foods. So, I changed his food a little, but to no avail. We went on vacation for the first 2 weeks of June, and when we got returned it looked like he hadn't eaten. He had lost a lot of weight, and his normally shiny and soft fur was lackluster and wild!
He was diagnosed on 6/27 and immediately all of the pieces connected - he had been drinking more water, he is indoor/outdoor so doesn't us a litter box, so of course I wouldn't notice increase in urine! I felt terrible, but was determined to do my research and find the best course of action. So, the vets options were trying food control OR transitioning him to indoor cat status and starting insulin. This has been the hardest part, and I can say we are doing our best. He still comes out with Mona and I in the morning for his morning log scratches and potty break, but he has been using his litter box while locked in the house.
The vet finally yesterday gave me a meter (AT2) and encouraged me to start home testing. He has been on Lantus for ~1 week and it has been very nerve-wracking for me to not be able to test him. As far as food, I bought a case of the RC glycobalance from the vet right away before I could do all my research. The ingredients were not ideal for my preference, and the carbs higher @14%. So I started him on this, but then took him down to half lower carb, and yesterday no glyco at all. I didn't want to make the switch to the lowest carb diet until I could monitor him at home. The vet approves of my food choice and will help me to continue to monitor/adjust dosing as needed.
So that's our story - thanks for the support and community that is offered here - it has made me feel much more comfortable about this new journey!
Sam & Oscar
