New and Need Advise

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Meowmie2016

Member Since 2016
Sal is a 7 year old former feral, now indoor love bug!! Just spent 2 weeks at vet newly diagnosed diabetic. Sugars 60-600, up and down, all over the place. Went to specialist and started on Lantis one unit twice a day. Started on DM Purina diet. He came home yesterday and seemed well and ate well. Now will not eat DM diet. In desperation gave him ProPlan canned and he ate. PROBLEM : he is in a huge bedroom with another feral ( who I can't get near yet) but they are inseparable. The other cat is used to Natural Balance dry food free feed and canned ProPlan. Sal is used to this too and NOT used to "eating on command". What do I do?? Panicking over mealtime and insulin . He goes back in two weeks to specialist. Thanks for any help you can give me.
 
First, are you home testing? It is a very good idea to begin home testing. You can do this with an inexpensive human meter.

Second, it is best if both cats are transitioned to a low carb (less than 10% carbs) wet food. The Purina DM while it is pushed by vets, is not the ideal food for a diabetic cat. When Squeaker was diagnosed this is what the vet advised; he ate it for a few days and then stopped eating it ( I put it out for the local strays and they wouldn't touch it). I put Squeaker on Little Friskies Classic Pate and let him graze all day as he chose.

BEFORE you switch to a low carb wet food diet, it is critical that you begin home testing. Sometimes just the change in food can lower the glucose and if you are giving insulin------the two combined can cause the glucose to drop too low and cause hypoglycemia.
When it comes to home testing: as I stated earlier you can use an inexpensive human meter. You can test from the ear or from the paw pad (the large one in the center of the foot---this is how I tested Squeaker).

Take a breath and try to relax. Many very experienced folks here who can help guide you through this. Welcome to the Clan of the Sugar Cats :bighug:
 
Hi and welcome--
Some of the natural balance and many others are 10% or less carbs (we aim for under 10%)
Home testing is CRITICAL especially if changing the diet
here is the food chart...
http://www.catinfo.org/docs/SortableCatFoodChartCatinfo.org2-22-13.htm
it will give you calories and carbs--I rotate food all the time and I free feed as my boys are 16 and 17-
With lantus and lev they do not have to eat right away as it does not take effect for 1-2 hours --usually 3 on lev.

It would be great to get them both on low carb but again PLEASE TEST you can save his life....
here is a picture that may help you
laur_danny_famoussweetspot.jpg
 
Anitafrnhamer said:
First, are you home testing? It is a very good idea to begin home testing. You can do this with an inexpensive human meter.

Second, it is best if both cats are transitioned to a low carb (less than 10% carbs) wet food. The Purina DM while it is pushed by vets, is not the ideal food for a diabetic cat. When Squeaker was diagnosed this is what the vet advised; he ate it for a few days and then stopped eating it ( I put it out for the local strays and they wouldn't touch it). I put Squeaker on Little Friskies Classic Pate and let him graze all day as he chose.

BEFORE you switch to a low carb wet food diet, it is critical that you begin home testing. Sometimes just the change in food can lower the glucose and if you are giving insulin------the two combined can cause the glucose to drop too low and cause hypoglycemia.
When it comes to home testing: as I stated earlier you can use an inexpensive human meter. You can test from the ear or from the paw pad (the large one in the center of the foot---this is how I tested Squeaker).

Take a breath and try to relax. Many very experienced folks here who can help guide you through this. Welcome to the Clan of the Sugar Cats :bighug:
Click to expand...
 
Thank you so VERY much!!! Can I free feed?? I cannot imagine that the diabetic boy and his buddy will adjust to restricted times??
 
jayla-n-Drevon said:
Hi and welcome--
Some of the natural balance and many others are 10% or less carbs (we aim for under 10%)
Home testing is CRITICAL especially if changing the diet
here is the food chart...
http://www.catinfo.org/docs/SortableCatFoodChartCatinfo.org2-22-13.htm
it will give you calories and carbs--I rotate food all the time and I free feed as my boys are 16 and 17-
With lantus and lev they do not have to eat right away as it does not take effect for 1-2 hours --usually 3 on lev.

It would be great to get them both on low carb but again PLEASE TEST you can save his life....
here is a picture that may help you
View attachment 23978
Click to expand...
 
Here's some info to get you started.
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/
Scroll down to see some videos of the process. It's good to choose a place to test and always use that spot as your testing spot. Make sure to warm the ear well, with vigorous rubbing, a rice sock warmed in the microwave or whatever method works for you. Begin by using a size 25-28 gauge lancet, it's a bit larger and makes it easier to get blood. Always give a treat after. Soon your cat will come running when you go to that spot and shake the test strip container.
 
Meowmie2016 said:
Thank you so VERY much!!! Can I free feed?? I cannot imagine that the diabetic boy and his buddy will adjust to restricted times??
Click to expand...
Free feeding low carb wet food is fine on lantus, except that you want to remove the food two hours before shot time a) this will give you a non-food influenced preshot glucose test so you can be sure that it is safe to give insulin and b) it usually ensures that kitty eats a bit with the shot or not too long after. Free feeding can also give you a heads up that kitty is running low - if they suddenly devour all the food you know you'd better test!

As you go on, depending on how Sal is getting along, you may want to remove the food earlier as with some cats eating late in the cycle can really put the brakes on what's left of the insulin action.
 
Meowmie2016 said:
Well, am trying to stay calm. He looks well and happy. Better than a few weeks ago. Am going away for weekend but have a vet tech coming to give him Lantau. I am just so unsure of feeding schedule and insulin dose time
Click to expand...
I am sure your doing great!:)
with the timing it is really good if you can keep a 12/12 schedule ... if you need to alter it try to do it by 15 minute intervals as a early shot can act like a increase and a late shot like a decrease...
My guy free feeds--he is 16 and always has ... the stress of FD is more than enough for us--I pick up his food 2 hours before testing but other than that he has food out.
Happy is awesome!:cat:
Have a nice trip :bighug:
 
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