New dx but unable to give insulin

[Kathi]

Hi,
My 14-y/o Jodie was recently diagnosed with diabetes - high blood sugar. The problem is she is very skittish and will not tolerate daily handling for blood testing or administration of insulin. I have been giving her DM wet 3x/day, so that she gets a whole can/day and nothing else. I have 3 other cats who do not understand why their dry food is no longer in a bowl for them to visit throughout the day. I cannot tell if Jodie is getting worse or not. She does not seem to be drinking lots of water or using the litter box a lot. She does not seem always hungry but she'll eat if given her food. I have been in communication with my vet who mentioned diatomaceous earth as a possible additive to her food. In reading some on this website, it seems that she should be getting something to release her pancreas, but unless she can eat it, this is impossible. Does anyone have any experience with this or any ideas? I have not started the diatomaceous earth.
Thank you,
Kathi

 

[MaryB & Chester]

You don't have to feed the DM prescription diet. A lot of people here feed other, more available and less expensive food. Here are some food links I copied from another post on this board:

Here are easy food shopping lists you can print out:
Dr. Lynne's Wet Food list
List of low carb gluten free Fancy Feast
http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=84885
http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=81687
http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=84512
Here are the more extensive food charts:
Dr. Lisa's new food chart http://www.catinfo.org/docs/Food Chart Public 9-22-12.pdf
Binky's canned food charts
Pet Food Nutritional Values list
Hobo's Guide To Nutritional Values

Look for foods under 10% carbs on the above four charts. As a rule, pate-style foods tend to be lower carb than chunks or shreds in gravy. Watch out for some of the more "natural" foods, too. They may be "grain-free", but have potatoes/peas and other vegetables which raise the carb value. I'm quickly becoming a label reader!

I can understand having a cat who doesn't want to be fiddled with. I'm lucky that my diabetic is the most laid-back guy in the house! I have a house-feral, Blackie, who will come and cuddle (kinda) but cannot be picked up or held. I can't imagine what I'd do with him if he were diabetic, too...Does she respond to treats? Chester comes running when it's time for me to test him because there are always treats involved. You can buy freeze-dried meat treats that don't have any carbs. Maybe you can give her treats if she'll sit on your lap. Then when she's used to that, treats if she'll let you just play with her ears. Take it in stages.

Controlling her diet may not be the same as giving insulin, but it's definitely better than nothing. If only we could just explain what's going on to them!

 

[chilibean]

I have had some experience with feline diabetes, unfortunately. My Wendy was the first in the litter. She is what we called a cream puff when it came to giving her insulin shots. We gave her extra attention before and after the shots. Her favorite spot was on the kitty condo, right at eye level. We fed her Friskies Pate wet food and worked fine as I also had 5 other kitties eating along side her. Now her brother was just diagnosed and he has been more like your kitty, being skittish. I have not changed the food and ChiliBean has been a very good eater. Injections have been difficult to administer as he has not been the cream puff like his sister. After more than 2 weeks I have only been able to get one injection in him a day. Have not been back to the vet for any more testing yet. Just trying my best to let him chill out and see how it goes.
Pet Parent to 11 Cats

 

[BJM]

Canned or raw low carb food is good for all of your cats and if you do that, you can leave food out for everyone. See Cat Info.

Also, see my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools for some additional ways to monitor your cat.

Keep rewarding desired behavior(s) with a low carb treat and you will slowly encourage her to do those behaviors. Think of small steps towards the eventual goal - coming to you, getting on the couch, allowing you to touch her, hold her, fiddle with her ears, etc. It'll be a process, not an event.