New Diagnosis (Lexi)

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DiSwan

Member Since 2015
My 5 year-old, female cat, Lexi, was diagnosed about 4-5 weeks ago with diabetes after I noticed she was losing weight. She had been what the vet had called "portly", so at first I thought the weight loss was a good thing, beings she was eating Science Diet Light Hairball Control. Then she lost another 1 lb over the next month, so I knew something else was up. She also had the other symptoms (appetite, excessive thirst and peeing).
My vet put Lexi on a prescription dry food from Royal Canin, but after about a week or so, Lexi started getting lethargic and her eyes just looked "empty." I got on the internet to research what I could about feline diabetes and read all of the comments about switching to a high-protein, low carb canned food. I went out and bought Fancy Feast classic canned food, and Lexi seemed to love it. After a few days, she seemed to perk up, her eyes brightened up, and she started to play a little and jump up on my lap and purr. Then my vet called and asked how she was doing on the prescription food. I confessed that I had switched her food to a canned food, and he responded that if switching to Fancy Feast would help treat diabetes, that they would all be doing it. He basically guilted me into switching back to the prescription dry food. But, after about a week, Lexi again started acting like she wasn't feeling well. Last Tuesday night, she actually refused to eat both the prescription dry and canned food, so I switched her back to Fancy Feast so she would actually eat something. I felt like I was losing her! By Friday, she seemed to be perking up again.
I've been doing a lot of reading about blood glucose numbers, trying to educate myself the best I can before I follow up with my vet. I bought a Reli-On Ultima glucometer so I could home test Lexi. I have no idea what her numbers may have been before now, but here are the readings that I have taken so far:
8/21 8:30pm - 287
8/22 11:50am - 266
8/23 10:00am - 360
7:00pm - 376
These are the numbers on the meters and have not been converted. I don't know when is the best time to test her, should it be before or after she eats, etc...? She hasn't started any insulin yet, but I think I probably need to get that figured out soon. How long should I let the diet change work?
I am also thinking about getting a second opinion from another vet, because I just don't think that my current vet is going to be very open with me regarding her diet.
Sorry this is so long-winded, but am looking forward to any advice that I can get.
Thanks!
 
Did your vet not suggest home testing? It's really the best way to know what's really going on with your kitty and your best chance at remission. Which insulin did your vet suggest or prescribe?

You test before feeding. Her numbers aren't so terribly high, it's possible that a major diet change could bring her down low enough. But the numbers need to be consistently below 200, the closer to 100 the better.
 
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This forum is really fantastic in the way of education., you'll get varying opinions and advice, which is good, as ECID (every cat is different). Don't let your vet bully you, if you're in a larger city with more than one vet clinic, call or visit several offices and ask how experienced they are with feline diabetes. BJM has in her signature notes, a list of questions to ask when interviewing a prospective vet.
 
How long does it take to notice a change in numbers by changing the diet alone? My vet will want to keep Lexi for a day or so to try to figure out what her insulin dosage will be, so nothing has been prescribed yet. But, he doesn't know that I have switched her again off of the prescription dry food.

I know I cannot wait too much longer to get her started on insulin, as I do worry about ketones.
 
I wouldn't let the vet keep her, the stress alone would cause elevated BG levels so the dose would probably be too high. I'd say a good week on the food, but only wait that long if the numbers are consistently going down. You also might want to read the stickys on insulin protocols. Each one acts differently and you want to chose one that works with your work schedule.
 
I'd give the food change a good week unless the numbers aren't dropping. I wouldn't let the vet keep her as the stress alone would elevate her BG so the dose would probably be too high.

It would be a good idea to read the insulin protocols to help you chose which one will work best with your work schedule.
 
Hi Di and Lexi!
It may take a bit for all that high carb dry to stop affecting Lexi's glucose numbers, but you could also see a significant drop in just a matter of days. It's so good that you are home testing so you'll know exactly!!
I completely agree with @Mogmom and Goofus about looking over the insulin protocols so that you are well informed, not just for yourself & Lexi.. but so you will be well armed with the vet. Make notes. Above all, STAND YOUR GROUND. You are Lexi's best and only advocate.
I have 2 diabetics. One is on ProZinc insulin. The other is doing fantastic on wet Fancy Feast alone!
Sometimes she actually needs to be 'steered' on a little higher carb wet! I had weaned her off vet prescribed Hills m/d dry and within DAYS her numbers shot down.
Be sure and check in here with any and all of your questions on this journey!! :cat:
 
DiSwan said:
My 5 year-old, female cat, Lexi, was diagnosed about 4-5 weeks ago with diabetes after I noticed she was losing weight. She had been what the vet had called "portly", so at first I thought the weight loss was a good thing, beings she was eating Science Diet Light Hairball Control. Then she lost another 1 lb over the next month, so I knew something else was up. She also had the other symptoms (appetite, excessive thirst and peeing).
My vet put Lexi on a prescription dry food from Royal Canin, but after about a week or so, Lexi started getting lethargic and her eyes just looked "empty." I got on the internet to research what I could about feline diabetes and read all of the comments about switching to a high-protein, low carb canned food. I went out and bought Fancy Feast classic canned food, and Lexi seemed to love it. After a few days, she seemed to perk up, her eyes brightened up, and she started to play a little and jump up on my lap and purr. Then my vet called and asked how she was doing on the prescription food. I confessed that I had switched her food to a canned food, and he responded that if switching to Fancy Feast would help treat diabetes, that they would all be doing it. He basically guilted me into switching back to the prescription dry food. But, after about a week, Lexi again started acting like she wasn't feeling well. Last Tuesday night, she actually refused to eat both the prescription dry and canned food, so I switched her back to Fancy Feast so she would actually eat something. I felt like I was losing her! By Friday, she seemed to be perking up again.
I've been doing a lot of reading about blood glucose numbers, trying to educate myself the best I can before I follow up with my vet. I bought a Reli-On Ultima glucometer so I could home test Lexi. I have no idea what her numbers may have been before now, but here are the readings that I have taken so far:
8/21 8:30pm - 287
8/22 11:50am - 266
8/23 10:00am - 360
7:00pm - 376
These are the numbers on the meters and have not been converted. I don't know when is the best time to test her, should it be before or after she eats, etc...? She hasn't started any insulin yet, but I think I probably need to get that figured out soon. How long should I let the diet change work?
I am also thinking about getting a second opinion from another vet, because I just don't think that my current vet is going to be very open with me regarding her diet.
Sorry this is so long-winded, but am looking forward to any advice that I can get.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hello! You found a great forum I'm also very new. My cat Juliet has been diagnosed as of 3 weeks ago and i immediately switched over to fancy feast classic. Within that time frame with home testing I've seen her numbers go from 520 to a stable mid to low 200 and there have even been some lower readings, best one had been 135. This had been with just diet change alone. And yes, my vet didn't like it either and pulled a very unhappy face about what i was feeding her. Find a supportive vet and take the next step you feel comfortable with. I have also been testing with a human meter, relion, which I like very much. Traditionally, it seems that human weyers read about 20-30% lower than the famed alpha track. Best advice so far it's bring your meter into the vets office and do side by side readings if they use an alpha track too see where the differences lay.
 
Signature links for
1) Vet Interview Topics to discuss with candidate vets.
2) Secondary Monitoring Tools for other assessments you may find helpful in evaluating your cat.
 
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