My sweet Carmen was just diagnosed. I am completely new to this and doing as much research as I can. She is a 14 year old Russian Blue rescue and was losing weight in spite of eating a lot. Her glucose level is 473. Her vet advises that we give her Senvalgo liquid once a day, which I am waiting to receive in the mail, and to test her urine once a week. I have no way to evaluate these recommendations. I do not know how to make her more comfortable until I have the medication, I don't know what treats she can eat, I understand they should be low carb. She currently eats mostly wet food, single protein renal diet because we thought he renal numbers were slightly elevated last year. The vet says that she has only marginal CKD and that her creatine and BUN are elevated because she is dehydrated (although I see her drinking a lot of water). I would welcome any advice and help.
new member, need help
- Thread starter DrD
- Start date
Hello and welcome. The majority of us were all new to start as well so can related to how overwhelming it might feel.
You might want to read this post: New Treatments for Feline Diabetes. to learn about when Senvelgo is not a good option. Amongst the list of not recommended is cats over 13 years old, or with CKD. Cats that have experienced weight loss should have their ketones monitored closely (daily) as DKA is concerning possibility early on. Here is a post on monitoring for urinary ketoens: Tips to catch and test a urine sample Unfortunately, not all vets carefully read the contraindications for Senvelogo or Bexacat. In some cases, insulin is a more appropriate solution.
Can you give me the name of the food she is currently eating? Most renal diets are too high in carbs for diabetic cats. The good news if she is very early CKD is that she doesn't need the renal food right away. You want to look at a food that is high quality protein, low in carbs, and low in phosphorus. If you take a look at this food list compiled by a CKD group, there is a list of foods suitable for diabetes and CKD. CKD food Chart
As far as treats go, any all meat treat will work. The ingredients should just list the one ingredient. A lot of cats go nuts for the freeze dried chicken breast treat, or other meat if she has allergies. Purebites is one vendor, but there are many others. We often shop in the dog section, as you can get the bigger bag at a better price.
You might want to read this post: New Treatments for Feline Diabetes. to learn about when Senvelgo is not a good option. Amongst the list of not recommended is cats over 13 years old, or with CKD. Cats that have experienced weight loss should have their ketones monitored closely (daily) as DKA is concerning possibility early on. Here is a post on monitoring for urinary ketoens: Tips to catch and test a urine sample Unfortunately, not all vets carefully read the contraindications for Senvelogo or Bexacat. In some cases, insulin is a more appropriate solution.
Can you give me the name of the food she is currently eating? Most renal diets are too high in carbs for diabetic cats. The good news if she is very early CKD is that she doesn't need the renal food right away. You want to look at a food that is high quality protein, low in carbs, and low in phosphorus. If you take a look at this food list compiled by a CKD group, there is a list of foods suitable for diabetes and CKD. CKD food Chart
As far as treats go, any all meat treat will work. The ingredients should just list the one ingredient. A lot of cats go nuts for the freeze dried chicken breast treat, or other meat if she has allergies. Purebites is one vendor, but there are many others. We often shop in the dog section, as you can get the bigger bag at a better price.
Thank you very much for this information.
I will read the article about Feline diabetes and treatments and discuss that with my that. The Renal foods that we have been and are currently feeding her are: Forza10 Renal Support Actiwet with Lamb pate in natural juices and Royal Canin Renal Support.
Your suggestions for collecting urine are so welcome.
Additionally she does like a treat of fat- butter, cheese, is this bad or ok?
Again I thank you for your generous help .
I will read the article about Feline diabetes and treatments and discuss that with my that. The Renal foods that we have been and are currently feeding her are: Forza10 Renal Support Actiwet with Lamb pate in natural juices and Royal Canin Renal Support.
Your suggestions for collecting urine are so welcome.
Additionally she does like a treat of fat- butter, cheese, is this bad or ok?
Again I thank you for your generous help .
Both the Forza and Royal Canin are really high in carbs.
On the list of CKD friendly foods that Wendy linked, you want to consider foods that are less than 10% carbs, which is what we consider to be low carb. Most of the members here feed their cat a variety that is in the general vicinity of 5% carbs.
We also recommend learning how to home test your cat's blood glucose levels. This will give you much greater insight into how Carmen is responding to treatment. It's also the only way you can keep her safe.
I'm linking a post that provides some basic information along with instructions on how to set up your signature and spreadsheet. We refer to this post as helping us to help you. The signature gives us information about your cat so we don't pester you by asking the same questions repeatedly. The spreadsheet is a way to keep track of your test data and we are also able to follow along.
On the list of CKD friendly foods that Wendy linked, you want to consider foods that are less than 10% carbs, which is what we consider to be low carb. Most of the members here feed their cat a variety that is in the general vicinity of 5% carbs.
We also recommend learning how to home test your cat's blood glucose levels. This will give you much greater insight into how Carmen is responding to treatment. It's also the only way you can keep her safe.
I'm linking a post that provides some basic information along with instructions on how to set up your signature and spreadsheet. We refer to this post as helping us to help you. The signature gives us information about your cat so we don't pester you by asking the same questions repeatedly. The spreadsheet is a way to keep track of your test data and we are also able to follow along.
Thank you. I have switched out the foods to low carb Fancy feast as per the list and I will get to this spreadsheet asap. The help here is invaluable, I can see, and there is so much to do. I will learn how to monitor at home - I did a urine dip today and no ketones, lots of glucose obviously, and very high leukocytes. On the phone the vet said that indicates a UTI although she has no other symptoms. Thoughts?
She is very lethargic, hungry and thirsty.
You should take her into the vet to get her urine cultured, you want to treat the UTI. The urine culture tells you what kind of bacteria is causing the problem so you can give the right type of antibiotic. Keep testing regularly for ketones. Anything above trace means a visit to the vet immediately and no Senvelgo. I'm worried that she's also lethargic. I'm glad she is hungry, hope she is eating a lot.
I agree with Wendy. The UTI needs to be treated asap. Any source of infection or inflammation increases the chance that ketones may develop -- so keep testing. Also, add water to your cat's food and make sure she keeps eating. (Ketones develop as the result of an infection/inflammation + not enough calories + not enough insulin.) Senvelgo increases the chance of a UTI so I would avoid using it. Lethargy is also a heads up with it's use. If you start Carmen on insulin, you can't use Senvelgo. I would check into whether you can send it back and get a refund.
If you go the insulin route, either Prozinc or glargine (Lantus) are the two that are recommended by the American Animal Hospital Assn.
If you go the insulin route, either Prozinc or glargine (Lantus) are the two that are recommended by the American Animal Hospital Assn.