n?ewly diagnosed diabetes

[Shirley Seefeld]

Our cat is 13 yrs. old and just diagnosed with diabetes. From what I have read, he should be on wet, canned food with low carbohydrates. However, he has been on prescription CD dry cat food for bladder problems, which he has been on for several years. Can I take him off the CD and go to the wet food? So far he acts very healthy.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

A vet has lots of info about Urinary tract issues and diet. www.catinfo.org

Can you give us some more info? What kind of insulin/what dose? It isn't wise to completely change over to a wet diet unless you are testing at home because wet low carb food can reduce numbers drastically (100 points overnight in our case)

 

[Becky and Toby]

I'm not familiar with the CD food, but from what I can gather your cat has had problems with the formation of crystals? Assuming this is the case, the general consensus is that all wet food is the best diet for this problem as well as for the diabetes. The more water into your cat, the 'cleaner' his system is going to be ('dilution is the solution to pollution', as they say).

My cat, Toby, has had the same problem for a very long time (he nearly popped when he was a much younger cat!) and he has recently been moved onto all wet, low carb food, with none of the prescription diet, and he's doing very well

 

[Laura & Heffernan]

My male cat Heff had urinary crystal blockages twice within 1 month last year. He was on Royal Canin s/o and became diabetic. I was scared to switch him off the prescription diet, but knock on wood, the all wet food diet has not caused any issues for his urinary problems. I'm still monitoring his output. Good luck--gradual change is best on their tummies.

 

[Deb & Wink]

Hi Shirley ( hope that's your name) and welcome to the message board. Would you please introduce your cat to us? Name, sex, age would be nice to know.

Diabetes is a very treatable disease. It's an adventure and there is a lot to learn, but we are here to help you every step of the way.

Would you please give us more of a background on the bladder problems? What specifically is the issue? How diagnosed? Things like that would be useful.

How was the diabetes diagnosed? Any history of steroid use? How are the cats teeth? Any inflammation or infection?

Have you started the insulin yet? If not, my first recommendation would be to switch to a low carb canned food diet. Often, this switch alone can bring the BG (blood glucose) levels down 100 points or more.

Please, ask us questions and let us know how we can best help you. Lots of experience here, not only with diabetic cats, but other health issues as well.