New member, new diagnosis. Help!

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Rachel

Rachel

Member Since 2013
Hello all! My sweet girl Gypsy was diagnosed with diabetes on Thursday. I found you the same day and have been reading many posts as well as doing a ton of research since then. I've calmed down a bit since Thursday (which isn't saying much) and I'm looking for some advice, encouragement, info, and anything else. I have 4 cats. 1 diabetic. I used to leave dry food out all day and let them free feed. I honestly didn't know that was wrong! I switched all 4 to canned low carb as best as possible. They all need to lose some weight so hopeful this will help. My girl is now on ProZinc insulin and Clavamox for a uti. I've seen someone vomiting or diarrhea in the litter box. Not sure who. Is this a common reaction for new diabetics or to either of those meds that anyone knows of? Or could this be the canned food switch? They all seem to like the new food.

What foods do you use? I am using friskies classic pate or fancy feast. Both fish flavored as those seem to be best. Any thoughts or advice?

I'm new to this whole thing so ANY help would be appreciated! Feeling a little overwhelmed and a lot scared and unsure of my ability to handle this. She's my baby though so I have to find a way! Thank you!
 
Welcome. Vomiting and diarrhea are not that uncommon with an oral antibiotic like Clavamox.
You are feeding the right type but see
http://www.catinfo.org/docs/Food%20Char ... -22-12.pdf
You want foods with less that 10% calories from carbs. Also, feeding fish more than once or twice a week is best.
Do you plan to home test Gypsy's BG with a human BG meter? Most of use do.
What does of insulin is Gypsy on?
 
Thank you! That chart is awesome. I've been trying to figure out how much carbs they should have and how to find that. I appreciate it!

I'm not sure about testing her with a human meter. It sounds like a good plan. What kind is best? Are the readings accurate for cats? Where do I get one? Drug stores?

Her insulin is called ProZinc. She's on a tiny amount, the 2 on the syringe, twice a day.
 
Hi Rachel and extra sweet kitty Gypsy and welcome to the FDMB, the best place in the universe to help you with this new sugardance.

Your switching all 4 cats to low carb food was a good thought and will make your life easier with all your kitties eating the same food. I did that when I fostered my sugardude Wink. Also, I put all the cats on the same feeding schedule. I have two civies (civilians, non-diabetic cats) that hoover the food up so leaving it down for free feeding does not work for me. Everyone is getting the same Fancy Feast/Friskies/Special Kitty pate style low carb food.

The food change may even help some of your kitties lose weight. You can add some water, until about the consistency of applesauce, to the food and that kind of makes a gravy and helps to keep your kitty Gypsy hydrated and fills up the tummy a bit more.

First, take a deep breath, hold, slowly release, take a deep breath, hold, slowly release, take a deep breath, hold, slowly release. That can help you when you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Remember those deep breathing exercises and use them when you need to destress.

All of us have been where you are now. Having a newly diagnosed extra sweet kitty to learn how to take care of. You can do it and we will help you in any way we can.

Sending you big hugs and calming vines. We'll get you through this scary time.

Have you read this yet? A message from your cat.
 
Hello and welcome to the board

The vomiting could well be the food change.. But see if you can work out which one it was. As maybe they will need transitioned more gradually.

For home testing , below is a shopping list. Home testing is important to keep your cat safe, allows you to get you more accurate blood tests , saves money at the vet and gives you a much better idea of what's going on with your cat. It helps you watch for remission which is a fairly common occurrence in many cats...especially after a food change when their blood glucose drops, and thus their insulin needs.

Getting started shopping list
1. Meter ie Walmart Relion Confirm or Micro. Both are good, cheap and don't need a lot of blood.
2. Matching strips
3. Lancets - little sticks to poke the ear to get blood . new members usually start with a larger gauge lancet such as 28g or 29g until the ear learns to bleed. Optional - lancing tool.
4. Cotton balls to stem the blood
5. Neosporin or Polysporin ointment with pain relief to heal the wound
6. Mini flashlight (optional) - useful to help see the ear veins in dark cats, and to press against
7. Ketone urine test strips ie ketodiastix - Important to check ketones when blood is high
8. Sharps container - to dispose of waste syringes and lancets.
9. Treats for the cat - like freeze dried chicken
10. Karo syrup/corn syrup or honey if you dont have it at home - for hypo emergencies to bring blood sugar up fast
11. A couple of cans of fancy feast gravy lovers or other high carb gravy food- for hypo emergencies to bring blood sugar up fast



Wendy
 
Until you are testing, see my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools to help you assess how well he is doing.

Once you are home testing, the following may be helpful:

Here are some glucose reference ranges used for decision making using glucometers. Human glucometer numbers are given first (mg/dL). Numbers in parentheses are for non-US meters (mmol/L). Numbers in curly braces are estimates for an AlphaTrak.

< 40 mg/dL (2.2 mmol/L) {< 70 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- Treat as if HYPO if on insulin
- At nadir (lowest point between shots) in a long term diabetic (more than a year), may earn a reduction.

< 50 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L) {< 80 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- If before nadir, steer with food, ie, give modest amounts of medium carb food to keep from going below 50 (2.8).
- At nadir, often indicates dose reduction is earned.

50 - 130 mg/dL (2.8 - 7.2 mmol/L) {80 - 160 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- On insulin - great control when following a tight regulation protocol.
- Off insulin - normal numbers. (May even go as low as the upper 30s (1.7 mmol/L){60s for an AlphaTrak}; if not on insulin, this can be safe.

> 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L) {> 180 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- At nadir, indicates a dose increase may be needed when following a tight regulation protocol.

200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) {230 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- no shot level for beginners; may slowly reduce to 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L) {180 mg/dL} for long-acting insulins (Lantus, Levemir, and ProZinc) as data collection shows it is safe

180 - 280 mg/dL (10 - 15.6 mmol/L) {may be 210 - 310 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- Any time - The renal threshold (depending on data source and cat's renal function) where glucose spills into the urine.
- Test for ketones, glucose is too high.

>= 280 mg/dL (15.6 mmol/L) {may be >=310 mf/dL for an AlphaTrak}, if for most of the cycle between shots
- Uncontrolled diabetes and thus at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis and hepatic lipidosis
- Follow your insulin protocol for dose adjustments
- Test for ketones; if more than a trace level of ketones, go to vet ASAP.
 
Thank you so much everyone! I appreciate the encouragement and advice! I will definitely get a meter and the items on the shopping list ASAP. I loved that letter from the cat. It was all VERY familiar. It was comforting too. I really am glad that I found this board. Everyone has been so helpful and friendly! Thank you all from me and me extra sweet girl!
 
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