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CrystalLena

CrystalLena

Member Since 2023
Hi, my cat Crystal was just diagnosed with diabetes. I need some other advice to choose how to handle this decision. My Crystal is 15 1/2 years old and has an allergy that gives her a sore on her belly that she takes dex to keep it under control. My Vet told me if I treat her diabetes she can no longer be on the steroid and that would cause her allergy to not heal. It comes and goes but it comes more than not. She also eats dry rabbit for her allergy with some rabbit wet food.
My vet has suggested that at her age to not treat the diabetes and just keep doing what we are doing and watch her. If I see anything unusual I am to call him and we will work it out. I'm taking this as we will just make her comfortable as we can.
I'm asking if anyone on here has experienced the same thing and is this right or do I treat her? Help, I'm so sad right now. She is not showing any signs of sickness as of now. Thank you
 
Hi and welcome to the forum.
I cant see any reason why you can't treat your kitty with dex (or prednisolone) and also give insulin. We have lots of cats with multiple issues that also get insulin, including prednisolone. Some have allergies that require prednisolone. It will just be a matter of working around the dose and the steriod..
I would definitely not just leave her and see what happens. She will eventually get really sick and it would be cruel to just leave her.
If your vet is not willing to treat her, I would definitely look for another vet who will. She deserves to be treated. And diabetes is a very treatable disease. Sounds to me as if it is just too much trouble for your vet!
What is the dry rabbit food?
 
Hi thank you the food is Royal Canin selected protein PR. Both wet & dry. Yes, that is what I was told by my vet he told me he consulted an internist and that was what they decided was best. I didn't feel comfortable after that conversation but I have been going to this vet for over 10 years. That is why I'm grateful I found this forum. I want to do what is best for her.
 
CrystalLena said:
Hi thank you the food is Royal Canin selected protein PR. Both wet & dry. Yes, that is what I was told by my vet he told me he consulted an internist and that was what they decided was best. I didn't feel comfortable after that conversation but I have been going to this vet for over 10 years. That is why I'm grateful I found this forum. I want to do what is best for her.
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I honestly don’t know why some people become vets.
I do hope you decide to treat Crystal. She deserves better than what the vet suggested.
The RC dry food would be high carb and not suitable for a diabetic cat.
Do you know what the allergy is she has?
 
I agree with Bron, your vet is just wrong. Sometimes cats have to have steroids, you just might need a slightly larger insulin dose to compensate. My girl Neko was one such, she was on the steroid budesonide for bowel inflammation. Though it didn't impact her blood sugar numbers.

Do you think Crystal would like all wet food rabbit? There are other commercially available all rabbit products. Nature's Variety Instinct limited ingredient rabbit, Rawz rabbit, are two, Identity and Lotus also have all rabbit canned product that are low carb. If she needs some crunch, there are freeze dried raw options like Stella and Chewy's and Primal. I actually that feeding her higher carb RC dry food would be worse for her diabetes than the steroid.
 
Thank you so much! I was feeling that in my gut. Should I go get a second opinion with a new vet or internist?
I took her to an allergist vet a few years back and he said it was food & environmental that is causing her to get this sore. It still comes & goes but the steroid helps her not lick & heal it. I forgot to say she is on a low dose of Lactulose because she was getting backed up years ago. She has been really good about no uti's. Is the Lactulose a problem? I think my vet just thinks she is an older kittie and doesn't want to put her through this. I'm glad I found this site. I think she would love wet food possibly with some crunch also I can look into the food you suggested.
 
It's your choice if you want to try to find a new vet. I disagreed with some of my vet's original decisions (choice of insulin), but I had worked with her a long time and liked her for everything else. I gave her some technical papers so she knew I had done my research. A couple times I had to say "humour me" and she did. We both learned together. So I think it depends whether you think you can say to your vet that you'd like to treat the diabetes. So many people decide not to treat diabetes that I think that's what vet's expect. My vet was thrilled when I said I wanted to treat my girl.

Lactulose is fine if that's what she needs.
 
Thank Wendy& Neko

That is great advice and I would love to go with my vet. The only concern I have is when he told me that I couldn't give her the steroid with the insulin. I kinda lost the faith in him after I saw on this forum she can take her steroid. This is where I'm concerned. Any feedback would be great. Thanks
 
Try telling your vet that you have heard from people who give steroids to diabetics cats. We've even some here fairly well regulated. Our guideline here is that you give whatever meds you need to keep your cat healthy, we just work the insulin dose around it. Sometimes you have to push back gently to vets. They see a lot of animals and diseases, this might not be a combinations he's seen much of. On FDMB we see all types of pre-existing conditions with diabetics, or conditions that come up while they are diabetic.
 
Thank you again for reaching out to me. I have a call into my vet as we speak. I will run this by him and let him know I want to pursue this. I will get back after I speak with him. If he feels different I will find a new vet. I also want her numbers from her tests. Thank you again
 
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