Natural solutions?

[Jayel]

Greetings! I am blessed with two kitties with sugar issues. Chip just went into remission last week after 5 months of ups and downs! My other kitty, MeMe, is more of a challenge. I rescued her at age 14 and she has multiple health issues. She is now 16 and needs to take prednisolone daily. This has now impacted her blood sugar and she is in diabetes. Due to her other issues, I am unable to give her insulin injections. Does anyone know of any natural type solutions? She is currently eating Fancy Feast pate but the diet has not changed her sugar numbers due to the pred. Actually, probably keeping them lower than what they would be without it but not keeping them within the normal range. My vet had one of his patients do well on a product called Pet Well Being Blood Sugar Gold but Meme appears to be allergic to one of the plants in the solution. Do you guys have any thoughts? I have lowered her pred as low as I can for her other issues. I am doing a balancing game and not winning at the moment although she is some better since I lowered the pred. I have learned so much from this board so I hopeyou guys might have some suggestions. Thanks - jl

 

[Sharon14]

Welcome, It’s hard to deal with multiple issues! What is she taking the pred for? Perhaps there are other things to help with that condition as well, and the dose could then be lowered.

 

[Jayel]

She has multiple issues. A mass on her heart, which has decreased by using the pred, the vertebrae in her neck and shoulders are fused - likely from being kept in a cat carrier without enough room to stand erect, and chronic upper respiratory issues - still determining her allergies/triggers. She was on 1 ml x 2 but earlier this year we decreased to .5 ml x 2. Vet was encouraged by the shrinking of the mass and would rather move back to 1 ml x2. I am weighing quality/quantity of life and would rather her enjoy her days. I have reduced her to .5 ml x1 and her diabetic symptoms are better in that she is more alert and active but she still drinks a lot and is always hungry but losing muscle mass. I would just like to give her the best life I can for what she has left.

 

[Idjit's mom]

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

Tagging @Wendy&Neko who has experience with heart issues and steroids.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Can you explain why you are not able to give her insulin? My Neko had heart issues, was taking budesonide for her small cell lymphoma, all the while on Levemir for her diabetes. For many kitties budesonide does not have the same impact as pred on blood sugar, but is a steroid only useful for GI issues. Sounds like your girl needs pred.

Some vets prescribe glipizide, an oral medication, but it can be hard on the pancreas. In my years here, I haven't seen anyone successfully use any natural solutions. Insulin is generally needed.