Newly Diagnosed 11 Year Old Male Cat

[Jackfabs]

Our cat Jack was diagnosed today with feline diabetes. We are starting to research this and would appreciate any advice on the best way to proceed. We don't have any numbers (BG), but I think I will ask the vet tomorrow. Is there anything else we should know from our vet? In the meantime, I will tell you that Jack seems to be in perfect health and demeanor, except for excessive drinking and urination (which we understand is a key symptom, and is what prompted us to take him to the vet).

After our initial search for information, we were surprised to learn that dry cat food was bad for cats. No one ever told us this before (the vet included) and more surprising is that she gave us dry dietary control cat food to begin his treatment.
So I guess our first question is what is the truth about dry cat food? confused_cat
Secondly, since Jacks conditions only began in the past 2 - 3 weeks (excessive drinking that is), is jumping to insulin right away the best approach, or should we try a change of diet and monitoring of blood for a short time to see if things change?
Last question for tonight relates to testing. We see a lot of discussion about testing and monitoring, and I''m sure it is important. We'd appreciate any guidance on the best way to do this. How do you use urine strips for a cat? As for blood meters, how difficult is this? Jack is very easygoing, but not sure how you get the blood from a cat for the test? Once we decide on a test method, where is the best place to get these supplies.
Thanks for reading....and best wishes to everyone.

 

[KPassa]

One of the best resources for a cat's dietary needs is catinfo.org. She also has a food chart with the "as fed" value of most commercial cat foods available. For diabetics, you want to find foods with less than 8-10% carbs (column C), the lower the better.

Have you started giving insulin yet? If so, what type, what dose, and how often? If you're already giving insulin, you do not want to change foods until you start testing because a change in foods can lower Blood Glucose levels significantly and the dose needs to be lowered as well. If you keep with the same dose, this can lead to a hypo.

ETA: just re-read and saw that you haven't started giving insulin yet. The answer on whether or not you should start with a food change first depends on how high Jack's numbers are. If they're really high, you might not want to wait on the insulin. Otherwise, it's usually a good idea to start with the food change first to see if he even needs insulin in the first place.

Check out the link at the bottom of my signature for a "getting started" shopping list and for tips and tricks with ear testing and ketostix monitoring. (I'd copy/paste some of that information here so you wouldn't have to click on a bunch of links, but I'm on my iPhone and it's not a very easy device to do that from. :lol: )

 

[Denise & Honey]

Testing is tricky at first but does get easier.
My cat hated it but now she jumps up and eats her treat while I test. I usually get blood and test in 1 go - at first, it took many tries but you just have to stick with it.
No matter what, you have to remember that its to keep your cat safe and maybe get him/her to remission.

Its all very stressful at first but, after a while, you get into a routine and finally know what you're doing and it all kinda clicks.

Good luck and keep posting!

 

[Wendy&Tiggy(GA)]

Hello and welcome to the board

The dry food high carb issue is a fact. Many cats go into remission within a few days to weeks of changing to low carb wet food. So changing food before starting insulin is important so you dont overdose. I would give a low carb wet food a couple of weeks first (assuming your vet didnt mention ketones). Here is a short list of good low carb foods: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=94685

In order to see if the food change is working, and to save vet $ , and to keep him safe if/when you start insulin, then home testing is key. Here are some tips https://docs.google.com/document/d/13c_CPZVKz27fD_6aVbsguadJKvjSrSAkD7flgPPhEag/pub

You can get a human blood meter at most pharmacies and they are almost as good as vet ones but a lot cheaper! Even from walmart - what country do you live in and we can recommend some?

Wendy