New member - Cat recently diagnosed with CKD and diabetes

[Veronica & Babu-chiri]

I'm glad he finally pooed that's wonderful news and yes we all get it you want to make a party or at least do a happy dance

Went to the vet today to discuss further the diabetes issue... and the vet prescribed Prozinc (1 unit). We discussed that we will be putting Ottie on a low carb diet (below 5%) from now on, and hence starting low on insulin dosage.

I suggest you read the protocols and suggestions here in the forum for prozinc

My biggest fear about injection was Ottie going hypo... but according to the vet, it seems it happens gradually rather than suddenly... giving plenty of time to react to the situation. By gradually I mean across 2 hours. Is this true?

The best way to prevent hypo is testing at home, each cat is different and for some hypo can take some time for insulin to make effect hours as you mention but for others can come quite fast in a matter of minutes, so testing before giving insulin, testing in the middle of the cycle and having a hypo kit is the best approach

I still think that monitoring Ottie's blood glucose level by pricking his ears will be a challenge and most likely Ottie will hate me for it and run whenever he sees me. With so much of the pricking of the ears... Doesn't their ears get swollen and painful?

It is important that you give him some rewards every time you prick him so that he starts associating the good thing with the pricking that makes the process a lot easier. And no cats do not hate us for the pricking actually I think that the relationship between the cat and his parents becomes more strong and loving than before diabetes, it is like they actually know you are doing it for his benefit.
Cat ears heal really fast and no they do not have any problems because of the pricking if you think about it your pricking is a lot less painful and less aggressive than when they get bitten or scratched by other cats when "playing" among them

I'm not sure if Ipakitine is a good choice, but one that was recommended by the vet. The vet is not really knowledgeable when it comes to the different Phosphorous binders... but in my keeness to get Ottie going... I have opted for Ipakitine for now.

In my experience most cats and dogs do not like Ipakitine because it has some sort of seafood odor because a powder they get from a molusk is part of their ingredients so even though is tasteless it is not odorless and cats and dogs depend on smell a lot and also it is not really very effective and it is more expensive than others even Renvela since from Renvela appears expensive when you buy it but you use so little one bottle lasts literally for years so if you can, think about changing to a different phosphorus binder , since you are in the UK you may also be able to get an Italian phosphorus binder Nefrokrill that they say it's very good

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

@Kili i think we need to start a new thread now please since this one is longer than 50 posts. Can you please start a new one and link this thread at the top?

I agree both Minnie and Bobo did grow to enjoy all the special attention around shot times.

 

[Kili]

Thread now continuing here...