My cat is newly diagnosed
- Thread starter DinaD
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Sue and Oliver (GA)
Member Since 2009
Many cats don't like Purina Dm. It is liver based. You can feed Fancy Feast or Friskies pates. BUT you want to be careful. The low carb can really drop blood glucose levels. We strongly suggest you home test with a food change.
If you aren't home testing, you might feed him whatever he used to eat. I'd then learn to test, so you can change the food safely. We'd be happy to teach you how.
If you aren't home testing, you might feed him whatever he used to eat. I'd then learn to test, so you can change the food safely. We'd be happy to teach you how.
DinaD
Member Since 2014
Do we have to pick up the food as soon as he is done eating? we were told to let him eat then give him his injection and pick up the food. he never finishes all his food in one sitting. he then is starving and bothering us till his next feeding in 12 hours. at night he then keeps us up because he wants food!
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Member Since 2009
You asked for the food chart on the other thread. Here it is:
http://www.catinfo.org/docs/FoodChartPublic9-22-12.pdf
We try to stay under 8-10% carbs.
But again, please be home testing first. Wet low carb can make a big difference in blood glucose levels.
Vets don't see very many diabetics. We see 10-12 new ones a week. We have a protocol that works. We home test and use those numbers to guide the dosing (rather a test every couple of weeks at the vet, when the cat is stressed and the number is higher). We suggest lasting, mild insulins. And the wet low carb food.
Many people here free feed, letting the cat graze. There is a suggestion that frequent small foods help the pancreas heal. And new, unregulated diabetics are literally starving because their bodies aren't processing the food efficiently. So we suggest feeding them more at first.
Tell us how we can help.
http://www.catinfo.org/docs/FoodChartPublic9-22-12.pdf
We try to stay under 8-10% carbs.
But again, please be home testing first. Wet low carb can make a big difference in blood glucose levels.
Vets don't see very many diabetics. We see 10-12 new ones a week. We have a protocol that works. We home test and use those numbers to guide the dosing (rather a test every couple of weeks at the vet, when the cat is stressed and the number is higher). We suggest lasting, mild insulins. And the wet low carb food.
Many people here free feed, letting the cat graze. There is a suggestion that frequent small foods help the pancreas heal. And new, unregulated diabetics are literally starving because their bodies aren't processing the food efficiently. So we suggest feeding them more at first.
Tell us how we can help.
DinaD
Member Since 2014
thank you so much. on the food chart, which c do I look under the one under calorie % or dry matter %? we want to keep carbs less than 10 correct?
is the home testing easy? he is not to happy getting his insulin shots twice a day. he is getting the lantus pen twice a day at 1.
is the home testing easy? he is not to happy getting his insulin shots twice a day. he is getting the lantus pen twice a day at 1.
BJM
Member Since 2010
We suggest using a regular U-100 0.3 mL insulin syringe with half unit markings to withdraw the Lantus from the pen. That way, smaller doses can be used, and the injection process is smoother rather than punching it in.
Home testing is fairly straightforward, though it can take a bit of practice to be successful at first. You'll need an inexpensive meter, matching test strips, and 26-28 gauge lancets. You might try the WalMart ReliOn Confirm, Confirm Micro, or Prime. If you dislike WalMart, use our shopping link above and shop at ADW to get the Arkray USA Glucocard 01 or 01 Mini which are unbranded versions of the Confirm meters.
When you examine the edge of the ear, you can see a small vein running along the outer edge. Between that vein and the edge is where you make a small prick and test a blood droplet. I suggest practicing on an apple and yourself to get a feel for it, before you test your cat.
Home testing is fairly straightforward, though it can take a bit of practice to be successful at first. You'll need an inexpensive meter, matching test strips, and 26-28 gauge lancets. You might try the WalMart ReliOn Confirm, Confirm Micro, or Prime. If you dislike WalMart, use our shopping link above and shop at ADW to get the Arkray USA Glucocard 01 or 01 Mini which are unbranded versions of the Confirm meters.
When you examine the edge of the ear, you can see a small vein running along the outer edge. Between that vein and the edge is where you make a small prick and test a blood droplet. I suggest practicing on an apple and yourself to get a feel for it, before you test your cat.
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Member Since 2009
C= carbohydrates. Calories are kcal.
Hometesting takes a little work, especially with cats that are a little difficult. The trick is to set it up right. Pick a place where you'd like to test - on a towel on the couch or on a bed or a sunny spot. Take him there and mess with his ears. Give him a low carb treat and lots of praise and let him go. Do that a couple times a day. Then add warming the ear (thin sock filled with raw rice, heated in the microwave till very warm. Praise, treat and release. Then you add the lancet and poke his ear. (add for some tips when you get to this part. A lot of cats anticipate the treat and put up with the poke, and go to the spot when it is time.
Lots of people here have done, even with semi feral cats. It just might take the prep work.
I don't use Lantus, but I know most people use a syringe with the pen because it is easier to give less than one unit, which many cats need. And with a syringe, you can get a thin one that might hurt less. Here is the info on Lantus pens:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151
Hometesting takes a little work, especially with cats that are a little difficult. The trick is to set it up right. Pick a place where you'd like to test - on a towel on the couch or on a bed or a sunny spot. Take him there and mess with his ears. Give him a low carb treat and lots of praise and let him go. Do that a couple times a day. Then add warming the ear (thin sock filled with raw rice, heated in the microwave till very warm. Praise, treat and release. Then you add the lancet and poke his ear. (add for some tips when you get to this part. A lot of cats anticipate the treat and put up with the poke, and go to the spot when it is time.
Lots of people here have done, even with semi feral cats. It just might take the prep work.
I don't use Lantus, but I know most people use a syringe with the pen because it is easier to give less than one unit, which many cats need. And with a syringe, you can get a thin one that might hurt less. Here is the info on Lantus pens:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Member Since 2009
Click on this link. A little way down the page is a video that shows how to do it.
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Member Since 2009
I see what you mean. I use the third column over - the c one. You want a food that ranges under 8-10% in that column. Many of us do stay away from seafood more than a couple times a week. Not only because of the mercury, but sometimes cats can get hooked on it and refuse to eat other flavors.
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