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AngelsDad

AngelsDad

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One of my kids, Angel, was just diagnosed yesterday. We go back to the vet, Monday, for her glucose curve. I have already been perusing this board and see that there is a wonderful wealth of information. Thank you all for being here. I'm medical by profession, so, though I'm not completely freaked out by Angel's diagnosis, it is still a little daunting to know how many changes we have coming and I appreciate having a community of people who have already been where we are now at. If Angel could type this I sure she would say the same...of course, being a cat, it would look like lkas;oioiusdg aopias;odiufk.aooadopfjg alasodo :lol: .

Bless all of you as I am going to need you in the coming months.

Tim
 
Welcome! Your medical background should come in handy. As you read, you will see we advocate for testing at home, starting low and going slow with insulin and wet lo carb diet. Read lots and ask questions. We would love to help you and Angel on your journey.

Be aware that often curves done at the vet are much higher than those done at home. Stress raises blood glucose levels and many kitties are very stressed at the vet. That's why we prefer numbers we get at home for dosing. I hope your vet will be eager to help you learn how to hometest. If not, we have taught hundreds of people over the internet and would be happy to help you.
 
Welcome to the board you never wanted to join! This is a great place! We can make your life with your diabetic kitty much, much better.

Have you nosed around enough to discover that you can do the curve at home?

Has your vet talked about what type of insulin options you have?

And, what are you feeding?

Take care,

Claudia
 
Thank you already. As I stated. This is all very new. Currently switched now to a dry prescription, but wet food is the top of my list of questions I am gathering for my vet visit on Monday. And, it makes sense to learn to do a curve at home...Angel is a very anxious kitty who really only even comes out of hiding in the prescense of myself or my best friend. I've had girlfriends who never knew she existed lol. So, that will be on my list of questions as well.

I really like the idea of going the wet food route as, I have two cats, and neither one of them are too thrilled about the whole new food thing, as I expected. But, knowing both of the for the last 6 years, I think they would adjust pretty rapidly to that. I have always, free fed, that seems to be something that may have to go to the wayside. Though I have noticed some here are able to do that. I'm just trying to learn as much as I can, as fast as I can. I am so thankful I have found this site.
 
Lots of people here free feed wet. You can add water to the food to keep it from drying out and make a gravy like meal. Or you can freeze it and leave it out to thaw. I freeze Fancy Feast in a silicone cupcake pan. The pucks fall right out and I keep them in the freezer in a baggie.
 
when looking at dry vs wet, think of it in human diabetic terms..type 2 human diabetics limit their carb intakes, and considering that cats are obligate carnivores it only makes sense to do the same with them. Further, dry food can dehydrate cats and exacerbate urinary and kidney issues.
 
I leave wet food out for 12 hours and haven't had any problems, though it does tend to dry out by the end, if there is any left that is. Some people use timed feeders. And then there are the frozen food hockey pucks.

Your best bet is to read all the wonderful information on this site. And ask questions.
 
Hi Tim, and, of course, you too, extra-sweet Angel,

I'm a free feeder. Was with Giz and still am with Nikki. I'm just more comfortable knowing food is available when I'm at work. Yes, free feeding can throw things off a bit here and there; but, peace of mind is a wonderful gift...

Speaking of food -- and, how's that for a segue? My humble suggestion is to switch Angel's diet s-l-o-w-l-y, particularly when she starts insulin (which I'm guessing she's on now, so could you tell us what kind and dose?). Why? Because her whole extra-sweet furry being is going to be dealing with a lot initially. And, suddenly switching food could add to that daunting feeling you're having... And, no, she doesn't need to eat DM dry (purely guessing that's what her vet prescribed), unless she likes it. Diabetic cats need to eat. Period.

Okay, and all that said, whatever food or food-switching or food-feeding schedule you decide to go for, please consider home testing. Quite a few sugar cats here have their diabetes controlled by diet alone. Without home testing, the parents they own wouldn't have known and would have still been giving insulin. Food for thought...

Welcome to the place you never wanted to be; but, will be blessed for having found...

I have to go now. Nikki's in the middle of a three floor crazy mood... She's either pooped or just feels like dancing! Either way, we embrace crazy moods!

Love and encouraging hugs for you and Angel,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz, forever dancing in my heart...

PS: Speaking of Giz...

AngelsDad said:
If Angel could type this I sure she would say the same...of course, being a cat, it would look like lkas;oioiusdg aopias;odiufk.aooadopfjg alasodo .
Click to expand...

... She had a real fondness for the space bar key...
 
Thanks again for all the tips. We go back to the vet monday for her glucose curve, and I suspect we will start insulin at that time. I will most definately learn all about home testing.

Thank You all...Tim
 
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