jldnvjld
Member
Hello,
My 14 (almost 15) year old cat was diagnosed with diabetes on Friday. This is actually my second diabetic cat; my old Siamese mix was diagnosed about 18 years ago, and we did insulin shots and prescription food (W/D) for two years. Things have changed a bit since then, I am learning. Now insulin is twice a day (and the price has CHANGED(!!)) and the food's lo-carb rather than high-carb/high-fiber.
Junga's BG was 340; no ketones in his urine. I don't recall if there was sugar in his urine. Junga had been eating a hypoallergenic dry food -- we aren't sure what he's allergic to, but most likely corn, maybe most grains, and possibly chicken. The chicken may be an intolerance rather than an allergy; when he was last eating a chicken-containing food he threw up every day. I consulted with the vet on Friday via phone, picked up the insulin (Lantus), syringes, and the best low-carb canned food I could find on short notice (Blue Wilderness and By Nature) all on Friday evening. I had my shot lesson Sat. a.m. at the vet's. The vet has started Junga on 2 units twice a day; I questioned him about hypoglycemia, and he said that 2 is starting low, but told me what to watch for and to get some corn syrup.
So far so good in the insulin; Junga is totally unfazed by the shot; we could be models for youtube videos. He seems to be feeling a little better.
My questions so far: I plan to pick up a glucose meter soon; I gather the Walmart Relion meter is a good choice. Anything I need to look out for?
Also, I see spreadsheets here. Seems like a good way to record values, but i don't see a key. Is there a FAQ on the spreadsheet?
On food: I'm having a little difficulty figuring out which canned food to get, given Junga's possible chicken allergy. The vet isn't in favor of fish, and I don't think Junga likes fish anyway. So far Junga LOVES the EVO 95% duck (at nearly $3/can for 6 oz.!), and the Blue Wilderness duck, but those are super high in fat. He ate the By Nature 95% Turkey and Liver entree, but I can't find carb ratings for that. It's meat, liver, and a little vegetable gum, so it should be okay, but it would be nice to know. He doesn't like Merrick Cowboy Cookout; yesterday and today I tried that, and ended up smearing some duck cat food on top if it to get him to even try a bit. He seems to object to both the smell and to the chunkiness. Possibly he doesn't like beef.
So, any suggestions for a pate-style, not-chicken, not-fish, grain-free, high protein, canned food that Junga might like for which we have carb amounts?
j.
My 14 (almost 15) year old cat was diagnosed with diabetes on Friday. This is actually my second diabetic cat; my old Siamese mix was diagnosed about 18 years ago, and we did insulin shots and prescription food (W/D) for two years. Things have changed a bit since then, I am learning. Now insulin is twice a day (and the price has CHANGED(!!)) and the food's lo-carb rather than high-carb/high-fiber.
Junga's BG was 340; no ketones in his urine. I don't recall if there was sugar in his urine. Junga had been eating a hypoallergenic dry food -- we aren't sure what he's allergic to, but most likely corn, maybe most grains, and possibly chicken. The chicken may be an intolerance rather than an allergy; when he was last eating a chicken-containing food he threw up every day. I consulted with the vet on Friday via phone, picked up the insulin (Lantus), syringes, and the best low-carb canned food I could find on short notice (Blue Wilderness and By Nature) all on Friday evening. I had my shot lesson Sat. a.m. at the vet's. The vet has started Junga on 2 units twice a day; I questioned him about hypoglycemia, and he said that 2 is starting low, but told me what to watch for and to get some corn syrup.
So far so good in the insulin; Junga is totally unfazed by the shot; we could be models for youtube videos. He seems to be feeling a little better.
My questions so far: I plan to pick up a glucose meter soon; I gather the Walmart Relion meter is a good choice. Anything I need to look out for?
Also, I see spreadsheets here. Seems like a good way to record values, but i don't see a key. Is there a FAQ on the spreadsheet?
On food: I'm having a little difficulty figuring out which canned food to get, given Junga's possible chicken allergy. The vet isn't in favor of fish, and I don't think Junga likes fish anyway. So far Junga LOVES the EVO 95% duck (at nearly $3/can for 6 oz.!), and the Blue Wilderness duck, but those are super high in fat. He ate the By Nature 95% Turkey and Liver entree, but I can't find carb ratings for that. It's meat, liver, and a little vegetable gum, so it should be okay, but it would be nice to know. He doesn't like Merrick Cowboy Cookout; yesterday and today I tried that, and ended up smearing some duck cat food on top if it to get him to even try a bit. He seems to object to both the smell and to the chunkiness. Possibly he doesn't like beef.
So, any suggestions for a pate-style, not-chicken, not-fish, grain-free, high protein, canned food that Junga might like for which we have carb amounts?
j.
