Hello. My name is Kelly and I am new to this site. Have visited it numerous times, but after the news yesterday from my vet, figured it was time to now join. I live in WI and have a multiple pet household. I used to run a non profit aquatic fish rescue for several years til too many health problems got in the way. Had to shut it down.
I am 45 years old, mom of three and one grandbaby (another due in Sept). There hasn't been any point in my life where I didn't have pets. My kids were raised to respect and be responsible pet owners as well. We have taught them that ANY pet deserves a chance at a loving caring life. No matter what. They are not to be tied up in the back yard, let roam free, etc. If you take on a pet, you take on a huge undertaking and commitment for their lifespan.
I just wish there was more than I could do within my means to help save more unwanted, abused and neglected animals but our household is full to the brim with what we have. If money wasn't an object believe you me, there would be another no kill shelter going up here in WI. Now for the reason why I joined this site.
I love my pets with all my heart. My vet is more than patient with me and knows how well I take care of everyone. I have a multiple cat household. And to be honest, I have never fed top of the line foods, but not the bottom of the barrel foods either. I guess I haven't really given it a whole lot of thought to how important wet foods in a cat's diet are. About four years ago or so, one of my cats developed feline diabetes. He is back to being healthy and striving despite the fact I never switched foods. Having multiple cats, it would be so hard to keep food away from one cat and treat it different. Kitty Kitty has done well on the insulin, is a sassy maine coon male. Two years later, our biggest cat Tony starting to display the same symptoms. His got to the point he had neuropathy bad in his back legs. We struggled for over three months trying to regulated his insulin. He just was not responding. But I am close to DRS Foster Smith and they recommended for me to try a human insulin, fraction of the cost and try that. Within a couple attempts he took to that. Now both Kitty Kitty and Tony have been on Humilin N (Novalin N) sold at Walmart. They have been doing wonderful, still despite the fact that considering cost now of having two diabetic cats, I still didn't get it with the whole food deal.
Well, I have been keeping an eye on my other cat Tucker. He has been losing weight rapidly, he isn't a big cat to begin with like Kitty Kitty and Tony. So it was easier for me to spot his weight drop quickly. He is developing neuropathy and went to the vet yesterday. My vet came in and shook his head and said, I was floored when Tony tested positive a few years back. In his whole practice he only has a handful of diabetic cats but for a single household, having two is unheard of. So to his amazement he came in with the news that Tucker's glucose level was almost at 700. We now have a third to add to my mix. We went over all my cats, none who have this are related. Only thing is they do eat the same food. But so do the rest of them who are healthy, or is that just a matter of time?? He asked me if I was considering putting Tucker down. I told him that never even crossed my mind. Even though it will be extremely hard now with three, it is not Tucker's fault he has a treatable condition. And as a responsible pet owner I need to do what is right by him.
We went over the nutritional value of the food they were getting and he brought me back numbers of what to strive for. Now I am not playing any more games. I will have to switch food for EVERYONE and struggle how to make this huge adjustment. But I cannot keep going if it is the food causing this, who else is going to suffer? I cannot separate who gets what when at what times so it just has to be that everyone gets the same diet. Sure can't hurt to better that. So I have been on a mission since the news yesterday. My vet is trying to encourage me to learn how to test at home. It will cost me 40 a week to take Tucker in til he is regulated or buy my own testing and do it at home. I told him yesterday I didn't want any part of trying that. Then I got to thinking, I didn't think I could ever give them shots either but I did.
Everything that I have read here and on DR. Lisa's write up I learned a lot. But I do know in order for my first two to transition from their old food to new stuff, you really need to watch their glucose levels and insulin intake. Only way to do that is to test at home. I can't take three in weekly.
So this part is ALL new to me. I called two different vets today (as mine was closed today) just to see what kind of meter they use or recomment because I was going to buy everything this weekend and get in next week to compare readings with the vet. One said they use the One Touch Mini. Second one said they are all pretty similar, but go to the site AlphaTrac and check out their meters. Well.......
This is what I read on that site: "Humans, dogs, and cats all have different makeups of blood, specifically the difference in the ratios of glucose in plasma and red blood cells. While dogs have 87.5% of glucose in plasma and cats have 93%, humans only have 58%. This is significantly lower. If you use a human meter on a dog or cat, it assumes human glucose distribution in blood to calculate glucose levels, which may result in underestimation of blood glucose concentrations and inaccurate readings. To get accurate blood glucose readings on your diabetic dog or cat, you must use a blood glucose monitor made specifically for dogs and cats. AlphaTRAK Blood Glucose Monitoring System is calibrated specifically for dogs and cats."
SO........now I am more confused more than ever. I read on here that people have good success with the Relion Micro (I was actually looking at their newer on Relion Prime as the strips are only $9 for 50). I had all my stuff in the cart, the meter, strips, lancing device and needles. But got scared and put it all back after reading that. This is an area I need convincing that what that said really isn't true that the other meters work as well.
I searched all night and day for a good food. My husband and I went from pet store to pet store searching foods and their nutritional analysis. Was finding a few that were close to 48% in protein but lower in fat than what my vet wanted. I read the best really is EVO, but more searching found it has been totally recalled and so many problems. Because I never looked I did find in the next city from me there was a nice health food pet store. So my mom and I went in there and they confirmed that EVO was recalled and all their stock got sent back. She showed me a few more. Next in line was a product called Orijen. This is a dry food. They also carried CAll of the Wild and Fromm (which I got a few small sample bags to try). For wet food they carried Wellness, Fussie Cat and Weruva. Which I grabbed a total of 6 cans for trial and error. I read that cats need wet foods. Optimal would be for an all wet diet. But I was hoping if I get a great quality dry (to nibble on during the day) and still give them one meal of wet per day as well to suppliment. BUT....this is going to kill me. With all my cats we go thru quite a bit a food. For a 15 lb bag of Orijen, it is $50. I don't think there is anyway I can swing that. I did buy a five lb bag today just to see how they would like it and they acted liked they haven't eaten in weeks. I was amazed! Thought it would be bland and it would take some doing to get them to try it, but I was wrong. Whatever it is I get, I have to mix with what they are eating now and slowly tapper off the old. And keep testing the ones who are on insulin as the change takes place. This is a huge overwhelming feat.
I just don't know what to do. I am trying to do what is right for them. And if they are getting sick by the food then the solution is changing food. I just hoped it wouldn't cost three times more. So, I appreciate any and all suggestions. Both on foods and meters. Also gauge size.
Thank you all who ever reads my LONG post. I have quite the story to share. Hoping I can get support by others who know what I am goign through. Have a great night.
Kelly
I am 45 years old, mom of three and one grandbaby (another due in Sept). There hasn't been any point in my life where I didn't have pets. My kids were raised to respect and be responsible pet owners as well. We have taught them that ANY pet deserves a chance at a loving caring life. No matter what. They are not to be tied up in the back yard, let roam free, etc. If you take on a pet, you take on a huge undertaking and commitment for their lifespan.
I just wish there was more than I could do within my means to help save more unwanted, abused and neglected animals but our household is full to the brim with what we have. If money wasn't an object believe you me, there would be another no kill shelter going up here in WI. Now for the reason why I joined this site.
I love my pets with all my heart. My vet is more than patient with me and knows how well I take care of everyone. I have a multiple cat household. And to be honest, I have never fed top of the line foods, but not the bottom of the barrel foods either. I guess I haven't really given it a whole lot of thought to how important wet foods in a cat's diet are. About four years ago or so, one of my cats developed feline diabetes. He is back to being healthy and striving despite the fact I never switched foods. Having multiple cats, it would be so hard to keep food away from one cat and treat it different. Kitty Kitty has done well on the insulin, is a sassy maine coon male. Two years later, our biggest cat Tony starting to display the same symptoms. His got to the point he had neuropathy bad in his back legs. We struggled for over three months trying to regulated his insulin. He just was not responding. But I am close to DRS Foster Smith and they recommended for me to try a human insulin, fraction of the cost and try that. Within a couple attempts he took to that. Now both Kitty Kitty and Tony have been on Humilin N (Novalin N) sold at Walmart. They have been doing wonderful, still despite the fact that considering cost now of having two diabetic cats, I still didn't get it with the whole food deal.
Well, I have been keeping an eye on my other cat Tucker. He has been losing weight rapidly, he isn't a big cat to begin with like Kitty Kitty and Tony. So it was easier for me to spot his weight drop quickly. He is developing neuropathy and went to the vet yesterday. My vet came in and shook his head and said, I was floored when Tony tested positive a few years back. In his whole practice he only has a handful of diabetic cats but for a single household, having two is unheard of. So to his amazement he came in with the news that Tucker's glucose level was almost at 700. We now have a third to add to my mix. We went over all my cats, none who have this are related. Only thing is they do eat the same food. But so do the rest of them who are healthy, or is that just a matter of time?? He asked me if I was considering putting Tucker down. I told him that never even crossed my mind. Even though it will be extremely hard now with three, it is not Tucker's fault he has a treatable condition. And as a responsible pet owner I need to do what is right by him.
We went over the nutritional value of the food they were getting and he brought me back numbers of what to strive for. Now I am not playing any more games. I will have to switch food for EVERYONE and struggle how to make this huge adjustment. But I cannot keep going if it is the food causing this, who else is going to suffer? I cannot separate who gets what when at what times so it just has to be that everyone gets the same diet. Sure can't hurt to better that. So I have been on a mission since the news yesterday. My vet is trying to encourage me to learn how to test at home. It will cost me 40 a week to take Tucker in til he is regulated or buy my own testing and do it at home. I told him yesterday I didn't want any part of trying that. Then I got to thinking, I didn't think I could ever give them shots either but I did.
Everything that I have read here and on DR. Lisa's write up I learned a lot. But I do know in order for my first two to transition from their old food to new stuff, you really need to watch their glucose levels and insulin intake. Only way to do that is to test at home. I can't take three in weekly.
So this part is ALL new to me. I called two different vets today (as mine was closed today) just to see what kind of meter they use or recomment because I was going to buy everything this weekend and get in next week to compare readings with the vet. One said they use the One Touch Mini. Second one said they are all pretty similar, but go to the site AlphaTrac and check out their meters. Well.......This is what I read on that site: "Humans, dogs, and cats all have different makeups of blood, specifically the difference in the ratios of glucose in plasma and red blood cells. While dogs have 87.5% of glucose in plasma and cats have 93%, humans only have 58%. This is significantly lower. If you use a human meter on a dog or cat, it assumes human glucose distribution in blood to calculate glucose levels, which may result in underestimation of blood glucose concentrations and inaccurate readings. To get accurate blood glucose readings on your diabetic dog or cat, you must use a blood glucose monitor made specifically for dogs and cats. AlphaTRAK Blood Glucose Monitoring System is calibrated specifically for dogs and cats."
SO........now I am more confused more than ever. I read on here that people have good success with the Relion Micro (I was actually looking at their newer on Relion Prime as the strips are only $9 for 50). I had all my stuff in the cart, the meter, strips, lancing device and needles. But got scared and put it all back after reading that. This is an area I need convincing that what that said really isn't true that the other meters work as well.
I searched all night and day for a good food. My husband and I went from pet store to pet store searching foods and their nutritional analysis. Was finding a few that were close to 48% in protein but lower in fat than what my vet wanted. I read the best really is EVO, but more searching found it has been totally recalled and so many problems. Because I never looked I did find in the next city from me there was a nice health food pet store. So my mom and I went in there and they confirmed that EVO was recalled and all their stock got sent back. She showed me a few more. Next in line was a product called Orijen. This is a dry food. They also carried CAll of the Wild and Fromm (which I got a few small sample bags to try). For wet food they carried Wellness, Fussie Cat and Weruva. Which I grabbed a total of 6 cans for trial and error. I read that cats need wet foods. Optimal would be for an all wet diet. But I was hoping if I get a great quality dry (to nibble on during the day) and still give them one meal of wet per day as well to suppliment. BUT....this is going to kill me. With all my cats we go thru quite a bit a food. For a 15 lb bag of Orijen, it is $50. I don't think there is anyway I can swing that. I did buy a five lb bag today just to see how they would like it and they acted liked they haven't eaten in weeks. I was amazed! Thought it would be bland and it would take some doing to get them to try it, but I was wrong. Whatever it is I get, I have to mix with what they are eating now and slowly tapper off the old. And keep testing the ones who are on insulin as the change takes place. This is a huge overwhelming feat.
I just don't know what to do. I am trying to do what is right for them. And if they are getting sick by the food then the solution is changing food. I just hoped it wouldn't cost three times more. So, I appreciate any and all suggestions. Both on foods and meters. Also gauge size.
Thank you all who ever reads my LONG post. I have quite the story to share. Hoping I can get support by others who know what I am goign through. Have a great night.
Kelly
