newbie to diabetic kitty and here

[diabetictigger]

Hello all. I was referred to this site and am glad I was by all the reading I have done so far. Our 8 year old kitty was diagnosed on friday with diabetes and I am still trying to grasp this..(tears and smiles that at least we know why he lost weight). I am sure you have all gone through this and knowing we are not alone is the best feeling. We have two cats..brother and sister. The vet has him on antibiotics for a fever he had at the checkup and has him (them as he said the food would not harm his sister) MediCal diabetic food. We are to go back in just over a week for another blood/glucose check to see if the reading lowers or if he will have to go on insulin for control. I have read so much in this last few days, but being able to read first hand accounts here is so much more comforting. Tigger is a little put out at the moment as he no longer gets his morning or evening treats. We have opted to feed our dog outdoors as Tigger loves the canned dog food we add to the doggie kibble and I do not want to endanger the glucose level of Tigg. Our family is still emotional, which many do not understand, but our pets are part of our family. Well I just wanted to introduce myself and I will go back to more reading. One thing I am curious about...later on when his level is normal, is there something we could give him for a treat? I did read that cooked meat can be given (just a pinch is all he would need) that would not affect him. If anyone has any knowledge of this or something better I would like to hear. Thanks..and great to be here.

 

[Blue]

Welcome to the site! Since you mentioned food, I'll give you a few links.


Binky’s Food Lists
Feeding Your Cat: Know The Basics of Feline Nutrition

If you look on Binky's list, there are several types of foods you can feed both of your kitties - just stick to the ones that are under 10% carbs. The vet food is not the best.

I give chunks of chicken breast as treats for my 2 cats. Oliver loves his slices raw and will eat steamed chicken as well. Shadoe refuses the raw but loves the steamed.

 

[Kathy and Mickey]

Just wanted to welcome you and let you know that you've found the best site to get any help and advice you need to treat your kitty. There will be others along soon who will be able to answer any questions you have and walk you through beginning stages of treatment. Glad you are here.

 

[Christie & Willie (GA)]

Welcome! Indeed, we have all been where you are, and you are most definitely not alone!!

I just wanted to suggest a few low carb treat options for Tigger that won't hurt his BG#s. Several of us use Purebites chicken treats (or any other brand of freezed dried chicken breast treat). While they sell them in small bags for cats, most find the ones in the dog food aisle to be more economical (and the bigger bag just lasts longer!!). Another good option are dried bonito or tuna flakes. Petsmart sells some or many pet stores sell a brand called Catmandoo. I've never seen my Willie go so crazy over anything as he did when I opened up the can of his "bonitos" for the first time!! Gimborn also makes a raw treat called Raw Naturals that has a few fruits/veggies in it, but they are in very low quantities and they have not affected Willie's BG#s at all.

I'm sure others will be along soon, but now would be an excellent time to learn to home test Tigger's BG#s. Most members here choose to do so as it allows a more accurate reading (BG#s taken at the vet are often elevated due to stress), always allows you to keep Tigger safe... should he need insulin, a poke before each shot lets you know that he is a safe range to do so, and it allows you to have a great deal more control in the decision making process regarding Tigger's care. We have newbie kits available that contain supplies or you can get much of what you need at Walmart for not much money. You'll need a monitor... their house brand, the Relion costs $9. Test strips are $12 for 20 or $20 for 50. Testing throughout the day will also let you know now how the food your feeding is affecting his numbers.

I see that you are feeding the RC dry diabetic food. Unfortunately, it isn't actually a good choice for diabetic cats (go figure!). Any dry food is too high in carbohydrates and too low in moisture to allow you to properly regulate him. Because Tigger isn't on insulin, I'd strongly suggest trying out feeding some of the low carb wet foods on the food charts Gayle provided. The food you're currently feeding is made of 24% carbohydrates. We find the greatest chance for success when a cat is fed a food that contains 10% or less carbohydrates (and many of us stick to foods unde r5%). You may find that a switch away from the dry food is all you need.

Welcome again to the group. Please feel free to ask as many questions as you have!!

 

[underdawg]

My new vet said that if a cat had some type of infection, etc at the time of diagnosis, the BG level may be high due to that and not be diabetic after all. Please check his BG level by hometesting as you change the diet to a high protein low carb food. A diet change from high carb to high protein can drastically lower the BG level so it would be nice to know what the BG level for Tigger is. Did I miss the number in the post? It may be that Tigger could be a diet controlled diabetic if the numbers are not too high so you may want to change his diet and watch the numbers before putting him on insulin.

We use Beefeaters freeze dried chicken from petsmart. All four of mine love it!

 

[hollyall]

My cat Max was diagnosed in early January and I was right where you are, worried and upset. Tears rolled down my cheeks at the vet and I cried when I got home. It is really overwhelming at first, going from knowing nothing about diabetes to needing to know everything, but you've come to the right place. The advice I've received here has been invaluable and has really helped me turn Max's health around.

I agree with the others on the food. Not all vets are up to date on the latest for feline diabetes. My vet recommended I feed Max a low carb dry food as well, which I did for the first 3-4 weeks. In that time, Max didn't make a lot progress and I was increasingly discouraged. Then I found FDMB and started following the advice on diet (wet low carb food) and home testing. I still can't get over the difference the diet made. Every cat is different, but it was HUGE for Max. He eats Fancy Feast Classic. It was a little hard for me to change the food from what the vet recommended, but I am so glad I did. Knowledge is power and home testing gives you both. I didn't think I could do it, but I watched the "how to" videos over and over and with a little practice we're (Max and I) doing it.

How To Home Test: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zE12-4fVn8

Read all you can and ask questions.

 

[Kathyh]

We all welcome you, and know you will find the information and help you want and need here. I echo everyone else. If you look at Binky's list for dry foods, you'll quickly see that none of the Vet or Science dry foods are low in carbs, even Purnina's DM is moderate. If at all possible go wet. There are lots of reasonably priced options and even Vinney, my picky boy will eat the wet if mixed with half/equal parts water. Maisey his diabetic sister improved dramatically with wet food. Testing is the next most important thing after the food change, especially in the beginning because the drop from food change can be dramatic. :YMHUG: