New Diagnosis

[Craig and Malachi]

My cat (Malachi) was recently diagnosed with diabetes. He's around ten years old and otherwise healthy (as far as we can tell - cats are hard to read sometimes). My vet gave me some quick information about different types of insulin and suggested I do some research to decide which one I want to try first. It looks like you have differnt groups within the group here. Should I post in each one to learn more? Or is there one central place I should look? Tx for your help.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Welcome! We can certainly help you but I'd ask that you post this question on the main health forum where more people will see it. This is just our central meet and greet place.

 

[FurBabiesMama]

Welcome! There are stickies at the top of each of the specific insulin forums. Reading those may be a good starting point for you. Getting Malachi on a low-carb wet food diet and beginning home glucose testing are two of the most important things you can do to get started, even before you have any insulin. Be sure to post your questions on the Main Health Forum.

 

[Callie & Patches]

@FurBabiesMama is right. Sometimes just changing to low carb food can be enough to keep kitties diabetes under control without any insulin.

 

[Craig and Malachi]

He's already raw fed using Rad cat, so I don't think I can get much lower carb than that. I've had him since he was a kitten and switched him off of canned and kibble when he was around 4 years old. I've just started reading the stickies, so I'll keep going with that and then post as I have questions. Thanks for the welcome everyone!

 

[FurBabiesMama]

He's already raw fed using Rad cat, so I don't think I can get much lower carb than that. I've had him since he was a kitten and switched him off of canned and kibble when he was around 4 years old.

That's great! So, that leaves home testing.

 

[Critter Mom]

Welcome, Craig and Malachi.

In general the most cat-friendly insulins are Lantus, Levemir and Prozinc/PZI. Cats metabolize insulin very quickly and the aforementioned insulins have a longer duration of effect in cats than the likes of Caninsulin (aka Vetsulin) or Novolin N. Scientific studies have shown that treatment with Lantus or Levemir (both 'depot' insulins) within the first six months after initial diagnosis and feeding a species-appropriate, low carb wet diet give cats a significantly higher chance of achieving diabetic remission (diet-controlled, non-insulin-dependent). See the PDF attached below for further info.

For general information, Lantus and Levemir are very expensive in the US. Many of our members get a written prescription for the insulin from their vets and then purchase it from a very reliable pharmacy in Canada for a great deal less $$$. We can give you the details if you need them.


Mogs
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[Callie & Patches]

Prozinc has the advantage if you can't stick to a 12 hour schedule. It's very forgiving if you are an hour late. I pay about $130/ vial that lasts Callie 3 months. Every cat is different and every family has their own needs. We need to choose what works for our situation.