New to forum

[ericbakes]

Hello, everyone. I haven't had time to read through many the posts here, but this was my first stop after learning today that my 6 year old cat may be diabetic. I took him to the vet on Saturday because he had become quite boney over the last few months. He weighs around 13 pound and is a very large cat, down from 14.5 pounds 18 months ago. Still a bit overweight.

Nevertheless, the diabetes pre-diagnosis was made after blood work revealed a glucose level of around 400. Next step is to get a urine sample to the vet so that he can run some more tests. My understanding is that he will be able to nail down a diagnosis after that, and then put him on a food/insulin plan.

My biggest concern at this point (other than the health of my cat) is not being able to talk to my vet. Last year, I had mentioned to my vet the idea of a raw or homemade diet, but he was gently dismissive and suggested putting my two overweight cats on a prescription kibble. I'm never sure how far to push with medical professionals. I want to respect their experience and credentials, but I also don't want to go into this situation blindly.

My expectations at this point are that I will be administering insulin shots and checking blood sugar levels for the foreseeable future. My hope is that I can work with my vet and primarily use diet to control the cat's glucose, and perhaps get off insulin altogether within six months. I have no idea whether or not this is a realistic expectation, but I look forward to learning more as I review the information on this board.

Thanks for sharing your experiences, and for providing this community.

Sincerely,

Eric B.

 

[Blue]

Hi Eric,
Since you've looked around the site a bit, I am betting that you have read much about food.... need low carb for diabetics and the very best is raw. Some food info you may like to give to your vet as it's apparent he is not at all familiar with the diet and carb requirements for diabetic cats.
Feeding Your Cat: Know The Basics of Feline Nutrition

As you have not yet started to give insulin, you could have a fructosamine test done which will tell you how your cat's BG level averaged over the last few weeks or so. Keep in mind that the 400 could be that your cat is sick, and when feeling better, numbers will go down. Stress alone can cause your cat's BG to be high, but when you get home, the number will drop lower.
If the vet is doing the urine check, just ask for the fructosamine test to be done as well.

You may as well get a meter and start tests right away, no matter what the test results say.

On Lantus or Levemir, you may well be able to get your cat off insulin soon. And even if you don't, you will still have a happy and healthier cat.

 

[ohbell]

Dearest Eric,
Hurray for NOT listening to everything your vet says or suggests. I feed 2 of my 3 girls raw and my vet doesnt approve, so we just dont discuss it much as she is full aware that I do. Since feeding - transitioning to raw... my sugar girl, Bean and the new one on the block, Ittle Sista, are doing wonderful. Their coats so shiny that they look wet. My sugar Bean before dx was 12.9lbs to 8 when she was dx in April. Since then she had kept steady at 8 up until now. Yesterday when we weighted w/ baby scale, she is 10.10! and boy, her body muscle is great. Ittle Sista keeps are active and on her toes so exercise is in the mix, but I know that the raw food has really played a part in this.

This forum is the MAIN reason I have my girl today. My vet wanted me to double the dose from 1unit to 2 units after the vet curve one week later, and not test at home ("did not suggest doing that as many overtest if they do"). I did not do that and started testing because of here..... It took a couple of times of testing to be successful... the first test that worked was 2 hours after her insulin and she was ONLY 27! EEEEEKS, I got on here imediately and everyone helped me thru it...phone call for over 4 hours and we got her number back into the 40's and my BEAN is still with me today. I made a promise to her to never ever shoot insulin without a test first..... Happy ending to a scarry nite...
I decided then, it is MY CAT, my family member and I will be in charge. I will listen to the vets advice as they DO know more than me but the bottom line, as I said, she is mine...
With the help from them (vet) - dx, the help from here: test before EACH shot and some in between to what that shot is doing; the low carb foods from the list provided, printed and in my car that goes with me everywhere; the raw recipe that I tried and even bought a grinder to see if that would help - it did! to the awsome support system, my SUGAR BEAN is in remission!!!!

She was on PZI and started insulin on 4/21, and her last shot was 5/24, so basically, anything is possible....

I got my meter at walmart - relion mini and the strips are extremely affordable....

Please keep us posted and ask ask ask and trust me, you will get lots of answers, support and furry hugs!

 

[Meowsmum]

Eric, I understand how you feel about respecting the Vets expereince and credentials.

However, you are the parent (cat parent) and you have the inside understanding of YOUR pet. Therefore the Vets most valuable resource is YOU.

I have a severely disabled and medically fragile child at home. We have seen dozens of doctors. Some I agreed with out of the gate, some I hated personally but respected professionally, and some I distrusted and left the office knowing I needed to find another doctor.

You have the right to have any and all questions answered honestly, non condescendingly and within an approrpiate time frame. That is yor right. If you feel that isnt happening, then I would find another vet.

 

[BJM]

Welcome!

Which insulin was prescribed: Humulin N, Lantus, Levemir, or ProZinc/PZI?

If your vet has not kept up to date, Humulin N may have been prescribed. It only lasts 6-8 hours in the cat, leaving 4-6 hours uncontrolled if you only give insulin every 12 hours. We strongly encourage you to push to obtain one of the others in that case - Lantus works very well for many cats and is often a first choice in up to date vets, as may be ProZinc or PZI insulins. Levemir is a bit newer on the scene, and has been helpful for cats with additional complications such as acromegaly or insulin auto-antibodies.