New member: 4/2/2020

[Durga Devi]

Namaste everyone
I am happy to have found you and this forum.
My male cat Buddha was diagnosed Friday with diabetes and arthritis.
I am exploring dietary changes before beginning insulin for his Diabetes.
I am using cosequin for his arthritis and have added fish oil to his diet.

I am open to holistic approaches to mange his insulin / blood sugar / weight and his arthritis pain and mobility
Thank you. Durga Devi

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Hi and welcome to you Buddha.
Are you swapping to a low carb canned diet? That is what is recommended for diabetic cats.

It is fine to swap over to a low carb diet first to see if that helps with the blood glucose levels but I would recommend you test for ketones in the urine if you are not going to start the insulin straight away. The reason for this is because diabetic cats can start to form ketones if they are not getting enough insulin. You can buy a bottle of Ketostix from a pharmacy or Walmart if you are in the US. Then you need to collect a urine sample from Buddha and dip the test strip into the urine and read it exactly 15 seconds later against the colours on the side of the bottle. If there is a trace of ketones I would start insulin. If there is more than a trace you need to ring the vet. Ketones can lead to the much more serious keto acidosis (DKA).
Are you going to home test the blood glucose.? It is the only way to really keep Buddha safe when on insulin.
Bron

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

WELCOME TO FDMB! I applaud your decision to try the diet before insulin but please dont let it go too long before you decide, that might not be the right choice.
Like our Bron said the keytostix should be the first thing in your arsenal. Also as Bron says home testing is the only way to keep Buddha, SAFE.
Whatever you decide we are here for you! Good luck with the diet (I truly hope it works) bat always remember you have a safe place to land HERE!
I suggest you help yourself to the information here anytime. Your first post makes you a family member .
jeanne

 

[Durga Devi]

Hi and welcome to you Buddha.
Are you swapping to a low carb canned diet? That is what is recommended for diabetic cats.

It is fine to swap over to a low carb diet first to see if that helps with the blood glucose levels but I would recommend you test for ketones in the urine if you are not going to start the insulin straight away. The reason for this is because diabetic cats can start to form ketones if they are not getting enough insulin. You can buy a bottle of Ketostix from a pharmacy or Walmart if you are in the US. Then you need to collect a urine sample from Buddha and dip the test strip into the urine and read it exactly 15 seconds later against the colours on the side of the bottle. If there is a trace of ketones I would start insulin. If there is more than a trace you need to ring the vet. Ketones can lead to the much more serious keto acidosis (DKA).
Are you going to home test the blood glucose.? It is the only way to really keep Buddha safe when on insulin.
Bron

thank you Bron.
This is all new to me.
I will look into the keystone stix
And glucose blood testing
How do “collect” cat urine!? that seems impossible
Can you test urine in the littler box immediately after he pees?
I have started Raw - most meat diet - no to low carb
And he Buddha has arthritis too so he is talking cosequin and fish oil now as well.
Lots of changes in 2 days.
Please advice on how you test the urine.
Thank you

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

Some people wait till their cat goes to the box keep a ladle or large spoon nearby then slip it into the pee stream . I was never successful with this method.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Can you test urine in the littler box immediately after he pees?

Yes if there is a puddler of urine in the little. I do not think sutting the strip in moist litter will give an accurate result.
I use a ladle for Dulce but I am measuring urine specific gravity to monitor the progression of his CKD