New here! Need suggestions...

[JulieL]

Liberty was just diagnosed with diabetes. Recent bloodwork glucose level was 548, follow up fructosamine was 575. Before the diagnosis I switched him to low carb wet food (Fancy Feast Classic Pate). Prior to that he had been an Rx Urinary diet (history of urethral blockage), some wet, some dry. He likes the the Fancy Feast wet, but has been eating small, frequent amounts only totally about 1.5 cans (3oz can) daily. He weighs 11 lbs, and that's not enough calories. He had his first dose of insulin (ProZinc) 2 units last night. This morning he only ate half a can and I reduced the insulin dose to 1unit because I was concerned about hypo and could not speak to our vet. Our glucose monitor did not arrive this morning so I have been unable to start home monitoring. I'm concerned about the timing of his meals. It seems that most diabetic cats eat a lot but lose weight. Liberty does not seem to have an appetite and I have to coax him to eat. In his situation, only feeding him twice a day to coincide with his insulin doesn't seem right. I'm a bit overwhelmed with information overload. I've left a message for our vet but he is not in the office today so another vet may respond. Any suggestions?

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Welcome to FDMB!

It is not a problem to let Liberty graze. Many, if not most of the members here allow their cat to graze or feed several small meals during the day. The only time you want to not feed your kitty is in the 2 hours prior to when you're giving insulin.

There are also a lot of choices for low carb food. Fancy Feast if very popular here but there are options if Liberty is less than enthusiastic. This is a chart that contains the nutritional values, including carbohydrates, for most of the canned foods available in the US. We consider low carb as less than 10% carb. However, most of the members here feed their cat foods in the neighborhood of 5%. Given your cat's history of urinary tract issues, make sure to add some water to his food. The vet that put the chart together has a website on feline nutrition that has a good section on urinary tract issues.

Being overwhelmed at this point in the learning curve is expected!! A couple of suggestions to help you get started... We ask members to do two things at the outset and the information is in this post on helping us to help you. Setting up information in your signature will allow us to know some of the basics about you and your cat. Without that information, undoubtedly we will pester you by asking the same questions over and over again. It would also be very helpful for you to get a spreadsheet set up. The instructions for both are in the linked post.

If you're waiting for your meter to arrive, one suggestion is to get a human meter either at Walmart or any pharmacy. Many members use the Walmart Relion meter because the strips are inexpensive. However, any meter is fine. It's also helpful to have a second, back-up meter so if you do have a chance to pick up a glucometer, I'd encourage you to do so. Given that you've changed your cat to a low carb diet, his blood glucose numbers may be considerably lower than what he tested at when at the vet's office. You do not want to give too much insulin due to not knowing what his blood glucose numbers are.

Please let us know what questions you have. The members here are very generous with their time and knowledge.

 

[JulieL]

So it's ok to continue several small feedings throughout the day (but not 2 hrs prior to insulin)? I feel better about that, just trying make sure he gets enough calories when he only wants to eat a tablespoonful at a time. It's hard when the online "guides" say to only feed twice a day coinciding with insulin. He's been eating small amounts every few hours for the past week and we started insulin yesterday. I also went to 1 unit instead of 2 since he was eating so little. Thank you for the advice! This forum is a lifesaver!

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

As Sienne said, yes. Most of us feed the 2 main meals around shot times and also several smaller meals or snacks throughout the day. It’s actually easier on their pancreas and helps avoid big sugar spikes.

the no food 2 hours before insulin is important when you starts testing so the value you get is not influenced by food and you know it’s safe to shoot.

 

[JulieL]

Welcome to FDMB!

It is not a problem to let Liberty graze. Many, if not most of the members here allow their cat to graze or feed several small meals during the day. The only time you want to not feed your kitty is in the 2 hours prior to when you're giving insulin.

There are also a lot of choices for low carb food. Fancy Feast if very popular here but there are options if Liberty is less than enthusiastic. This is a chart that contains the nutritional values, including carbohydrates, for most of the canned foods available in the US. We consider low carb as less than 10% carb. However, most of the members here feed their cat foods in the neighborhood of 5%. Given your cat's history of urinary tract issues, make sure to add some water to his food. The vet that put the chart together has a website on feline nutrition that has a good section on urinary tract issues.

Being overwhelmed at this point in the learning curve is expected!! A couple of suggestions to help you get started... We ask members to do two things at the outset and the information is in this post on helping us to help you. Setting up information in your signature will allow us to know some of the basics about you and your cat. Without that information, undoubtedly we will pester you by asking the same questions over and over again. It would also be very helpful for you to get a spreadsheet set up. The instructions for both are in the linked post.

If you're waiting for your meter to arrive, one suggestion is to get a human meter either at Walmart or any pharmacy. Many members use the Walmart Relion meter because the strips are inexpensive. However, any meter is fine. It's also helpful to have a second, back-up meter so if you do have a chance to pick up a glucometer, I'd encourage you to do so. Given that you've changed your cat to a low carb diet, his blood glucose numbers may be considerably lower than what he tested at when at the vet's office. You do not want to give too much insulin due to not knowing what his blood glucose numbers are.

Please let us know what questions you have. The members here are very generous with their time and knowledge.

Welcome to FDMB!

It is not a problem to let Liberty graze. Many, if not most of the members here allow their cat to graze or feed several small meals during the day. The only time you want to not feed your kitty is in the 2 hours prior to when you're giving insulin.

There are also a lot of choices for low carb food. Fancy Feast if very popular here but there are options if Liberty is less than enthusiastic. This is a chart that contains the nutritional values, including carbohydrates, for most of the canned foods available in the US. We consider low carb as less than 10% carb. However, most of the members here feed their cat foods in the neighborhood of 5%. Given your cat's history of urinary tract issues, make sure to add some water to his food. The vet that put the chart together has a website on feline nutrition that has a good section on urinary tract issues.

Being overwhelmed at this point in the learning curve is expected!! A couple of suggestions to help you get started... We ask members to do two things at the outset and the information is in this post on helping us to help you. Setting up information in your signature will allow us to know some of the basics about you and your cat. Without that information, undoubtedly we will pester you by asking the same questions over and over again. It would also be very helpful for you to get a spreadsheet set up. The instructions for both are in the linked post.

If you're waiting for your meter to arrive, one suggestion is to get a human meter either at Walmart or any pharmacy. Many members use the Walmart Relion meter because the strips are inexpensive. However, any meter is fine. It's also helpful to have a second, back-up meter so if you do have a chance to pick up a glucometer, I'd encourage you to do so. Given that you've changed your cat to a low carb diet, his blood glucose numbers may be considerably lower than what he tested at when at the vet's office. You do not want to give too much insulin due to not knowing what his blood glucose numbers are.

Please let us know what questions you have. The members here are very generous with their time and knowledge.

 

[JulieL]

Help. Just did first glucose test with a CVS glucose meter. +9 hrs after 1 unit dose at 8am this morning. Level is 47!

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

I replied in the new thread.