New Year's Resolution

[Aevans]

Hello everyone! I am already comforted by the fact that there are others who know what it's like to have diabetic kitty!

My sweet baby Lulu was diagnosed back in May 2013. Getting married, moving into our first home, and our baby being diagnosed...what a year it has been! We've been working with our vet to get our fluffy girl regulated but it has been a roller coaster ride. Numbers are all over the place. The vet seemed to become complacent with our strategy. So my husband and I made it our New Year's resolution to do more for Lulu's health. We asked ourselves, "what else can be done?" I started doing research and reading posts from other diabetic cat owners. I couldn't believe all of the things I learned! And all of the new questions I now have....

*I need to start keeping an online log of data instead of writing it...add that to my list of resolutions.

A little about Lulu....
Lulu is 6 years old. She's currently on Hills prescription M/D (wet) and Lantus. 3.5 units twice a day. Weighs about 8 pounds. Neuropathy in her back legs.

After doing research, I found that her current food might not be the best for her. That expensive prescription food is 14% carbs and it has flour and byproducts in it! Why did the vet recommend this? Isn't 10% the threshold for carbs? I'm sure you have all asked those same questions. Oh, and don't forget the "Why didn't I look at the label sooner?"
Anyways, knowledge is power and I now know that I can find a better food with lower carbs. So that leads me to my first question....
I saw that Fancy Feast classic is hanging around the 4-5% and Purina DM is 3%. Are there any other foods that I might have overlooked that are worth trying??? (Don't worry, our vet is aware that we will be changing the food--detox, insulin adjustment is necessary). We are really hoping the food adjustment will help!

My research also led me to a few reviews of methylcobalamin and how it can help neuropathy. She started walking down on her hocks and I told the vet...they didn't really offer much info about it. So I found that some people had luck with Zobaline brand. I purchased some and we are going to give it a try. Thoughts, suggestions, etc on methylcobalamin??

Last question. My vet only offered Lantus. I saw some info on PZI. I don't want to change too much all at once but is it worth trying? confused_cat

We are devoting this weekend to food adjustment. Wish us luck. I'm going to buy 2 extra containers of litter...

I appreciate all of your input and time.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Good for you! Great resolutions!

Purina wet isn't bad for carbs, but it is liver based and most cats soon tire of the taste. There are many choices. Dr. Lisa recently put together an updated list.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=88162

BUTbe sure you are testing carefully and consistently as you are on a larger dose of insulin than we usually see. You might see a sudden drop and need to be prepared.

You can start a spreadsheet for your data:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18207

Lantus is a great insulin; i would stick with it. Your food change and more consistent monitoring can make all the difference.

 

[Deb & Wink]

Hi sugarkitty Lulu and your bean (our slang for human being) and welcome to the FDMB. What is your name?

If you tell us where you live, we can give you more country specific advice.

Lantus is a good insulin. Hopefully, we will be able to help you and Lulu and get her feeling better.

Would you tell us more on the history of how Lulu got to that 3.5U dose? We want to make sure you are making any dose adjustments based on the nadir or low point in the 12 hour cycle.

Do you have any numbers you can share with us? Until you get that SS (spreadsheet) set up, you can list them like this.

Date, pre-shot test, Units of insulin given, + hour since pre-shot given, BG number.
e.g. 6/1 AMPS 293 1U +1 289 +3 150 +6 PMPS 350 1U +2 340 +6 200
6/2 AMPS 400 1U +6 203 PMPS 189 0U +3 289 +6 458 +9 590

A week or two of data at first would be really helpful.

 

[BJM]

If you change the food, the glucose level may drop 100 mg/dL. You must be home testing when you change the food and plan on needing a dose decrease almost immediately

 

[Aevans]

Thanks for all of the quick responses. I will get some data posted when I get home. I will also brush up on the lingo. I did think the 3.5 units was a little high. The vet has been going back and forth with 3 and 3.5 lately. They did drop it a good bit but then she had some dental issues and UTI. I'm in Atlanta, Ga, USA. What is the best way to determine dosage? I would like to start 'weaning' us off of everything the vet says.

Thanks again!

 

[BJM]

This is the formula for an initial Lantus dose:
What is the current weight?
What is the ideal weight?
Which is lower?
Convert the lower to kilograms (pounds divided by 2.2)
Multiply by 0.25.
Round down (for safety) to the nearest quarter unit which is eyeballed as syringes don't measure that minutely.

If you start changing the food about 20-25% different per day, you might try dropping 0.5 per day and testing around +5 to +7 hours after the shot to monitor how low the glucose goes. There will need to be some further tweaking of the dose, so this is just for starters.

If it ever goes below 50 mg/dL, post here.
You may need to intervene with high carb gravy or Karo as follows:
- 1 to teaspoons of high carb gravy
- wait 30 minutes
- retest
- repeat as needed - gravy wears off fast and Lantus lasts lonh
If a pre-shot test is below 200 mg/dL, do not feed and post for advice.