Newly diagnosed, a quick introduction

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Sarah_and_Moggy

Sarah_and_Moggy

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Hello everyone, this is my first post here (brand spanking new member from London)

My lovely 13 year old kitty, Moggy, was diagnosed with diabetes on Christmas eve and started treatment last Wednesday. In the time between being diagnosed and starting treatment he lost 1/2 a kilo taking him down to 3.3 kilos (very skinny). He was started on 1 unit of caninsulin twice a day and went for a check up today. Happily he's put on 0.2 kilos and the vet is pleased with that. However his blood sugar levels are still about 3x what she said they should be. He's been upped to 2 units twice a day and has another check up in 2 weeks.

I'm doing alright with the injections, even though I'm very needle phobic :) and Moggy is putting up with it as long as there's food in front of him when the needle comes out.

I've done as much research as I could when we got his diagnosis so feel fairly well educated, and I know a fair bit about human diabetes anyway. But I'm still suffering from the fear of the unknown. I've never been in the position of having to take care of a pet like this, and I feel like I'm forever on edge watching and waiting for something to go wrong. Poor Moggy can't take a nap because I wake him up every 5 minutes to make sure he hasn't lapsed into a coma or anything! I'm hopeful that I'll be able to relax as we go along :)

This has turned into a bit more than just a quick intro, sorry.

Looking forward to talking to others who have gone/are going through the same things as me.

Thank you for your time

Sarah (and Moggy)
 
Hi Sarah, and welcome to FDMB.

You're needle phobic so you may not like this, but the best way to relax and not worry about your Moggy is to learn to hometest his blood sugar. It's not that hard, the link below will take you to hometesting videos and information.

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=287

Could you tell us what type of diet your Moggy is on? Food plays a role in all of this, just like with humans.

Others will be posting to welcome you and offer advice too, I just wanted to give a quick hello.
 
Thank you for the welcome.

I've read more about home testing today and plan to talk to the vet about it at his next check up.

To be honest I had my doubts that I'd be able to handle the injections but I've done it so I imagine I'll be able to cope with home testing when it comes down to it. It's amazing the things we can do and get over for those we love.

Food wise we were told to carry on as we were. He gets half a pouch of wet in the morning and evening and there's dry in his bowl through the day. Now I say he gets half a pouch, but I'm sure he steals atleast a little of his sisters food so it's probably closer to 3/4 :)

I'm going to have to do more research into what type of food is best (brands and such). It's all a learning process I guess :)
 
Yes, it is a learning process, I'm still learning too :)

Low carb, high protein is better for our FDs, actually for all cats in general. The dry food could be part of the problem.

You can read about nutrition on Dr. Lisa Pierson's site, catinfo.org

http://catinfo.org/
 
Welcome!

Here are some places to start your food research. This site is by a vet who presents an excellent case for feeding wet lo carb to all cats, but particularly diabetics: http://www.catinfo.org And here is our food chart: Janet and Binky’s chart One of our members did a lot of research to find the carbs in most wet and dry foods. We try to stay under 10% carbs.

BUT don't change food until you are hometesting. When we switched Oliver from dry to wet, he came down 100 points overnight. If we hadn't been testing and had just given our usual dose, he would have hypoed.

Glad you are here and doing the reading and research. It is a steep learning curve, but we would love to help.
 
Thank you for all the helpful info.

It's a lot to learn, and quickly.

I don't have a lot of help/support, so I'm very glad to have found this place. Hubby sort of tries, but he pretty much leaves it up to me to do all of the research and make the choices. Due to disability (legally blind) he can't do the injections or anything either, so I do sort of feel like I'm up against this alone. It's all a little overwhelming really :? We'll get there though :)
 
Welcome Sarah and Moggy!

What a great kitty mom Moggy has that you are reading and researching, and now have landed in the very best place in the world to help you help Moggy.

Yep this is a steep learning curve but oh so doable. We have lots of members in the UK and may even have someone close to you if you would like some hands on help when it comes to home testing. But it is really very easy once you get the hang of it.

The dry food could be part of the problem with his numbers but like others have said don't change diet until you are testing at home as his insulin needs may change drastically.

As far as diet goes once you are home testing you can switch all the cats in the household to the same diet, I can't begin to telll you how much all 10 of mine have benefitted from something as simple as taking away the dry food and putting them all on canned food.

Just keep reading and asking questions we are all here to help you and Moggy. I know it can be hard to take advice from a bunch of people on the internet, but we all have or have had a FD cat that we are treating and living with day in and day out. Just about anything that can happen there is someone here that has been there and done that and can offer help.

The Best to you both.

Mel, Max & The Fur Gang
 
There's a recent thread from a UK newbie asking for food suggstions: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=33247 Felix in jelly is one popular brand among UK members.

There are some UK members, newbies and oldbies, here. I'm not sure if anyone is around the London area, though.
 
Just wanted to say welcome and congrats for searching out the info you need to take care of your kitty! This is overwhelming, that's for sure, but it does get better, I promise you. You've already made a great step by posting here.
 
Hello Sarah and Moggy and welcome to the FDMB community!

I'm one of the UK members (Living in Essex) and I can assure you that you have found the best place to be to get help and support for Moggy. The time of diagnosis is always tough, particularly on Christmas Eve, but we have all been through the anxious days that follow diagnosis and we know how you feel at the moment. You have already made the most important decision and that is to treat Moggy ... Feline Diabetes is manageable and the testing and insulin shots will become a part of your's and Moggy's daily routine.

As for food, I would recommend that you get to your local branch of Sainsburys and get some Butchers Classic Cat Food. It comes in twelve packs (Fish or meat flavour) and you will recognise it on the shelf by it's brightly coloured orange wrapping. Sainsburys seem to be the only supermarket that stocks this food but it is good as it is low carb and has no additives. Make the transition gradually as diet will affect blood glucose levels and Moggy will need time to adjust gradually.

Home testing is pretty essential. It can be a life saver. We have UK members based in the London area and I am sure that they will be able to help you. I know of two who are in South London and Surrey and another who lives in Central London. When I first started hometesting I didn't think I would manage as I didn't like the thought of using needles. One of the UK members visited me at home and I found it really helpful and supportive.

I will send you my contact details via Personal Message. If I can help in any way, just pick up the phone!

You're doing a great job so far ... Keep up the good work and please give Moggy a hug from us.

Love
 
Thank you everyone for the warm welcome and all the info.

We've been on 2 units twice a day now for the last few days. I was very nervous about it, but I've settled down now that I've seen he's not going to have a bad reaction.

Reading the food list made for slightly scary reading. Hubby has a habit of getting different wet food every week. I've been trying to explain to him that changing the food like that isn't good for Moggy (there's a huge difference in the carbs and such between the kinds he's getting). He thinks Moggy will get bored having the same thing all the time, he just doesn't get that 1) Moggy would never get bored with food no matter what it is and 2) everything Mogs eats has an effect. Bit stressy :)

I have to pop into the vet today to get a new sharps box so I think I'll see if I can get 5 minutes with the vet to talk about home testing. If she isn't there or is with someone else I'll have to wait until his appointment.

Thanks again everyone, I'm sure I'll have lots and lots of questions over the next few weeks/months.

xxx
 
Vets sometimes vary in their perspective on hometesting. Some think that it's a really good thing (Which it is!) while others regard home testing as an encroachment into their professional domain. Home testing results are much more reliable. You are likely to get a high reading with a test that is done at the surgery as Moggy will be stressed out. Much better to do it at home. Please keep in touch with me by PM ... As I mentioned in a PM, if you let me know what part of London you are in (Please do this through PM and not open forum) I will try to put you in contact with someone who lives close to you.

I guess it's OK to vary food but make sure that Moggy gets low carb introduced as soon as possible. Stay away from foods in gravy. The gravy contains sugar ... Food in jelly are much better, e.g. Whiskers. I switched Sweepy to Butchers Classic Cat Food (Get yourself to Sainsburys!) and she was fine with it. I now have three 'civvies' (Non diabetic) cats and they all eat Butchers quite happily.

You're doing so well ... Keep going. it's a sharp learning curve at first but you will soon be an experienced carer for Moggy

Love
 
Welcome to the board, Sarah.

Looks like you've got a lot of helpful folks following you. Great that you've got local support in London.

I can't say enough about home testing. As mentioned earlier, a lot of Vets don't buy into it. But it's really important. Because of home testing, I was able to catch Bud going into hypo.. too low BG (blood glucose) and treated her. Very scary and could have been very bad had I not caught it.

It's a bit intimidating when you start out home testing, but you're doing the shots and, in about a week or so, the testing will be easier on you both.

Switching to a only low carb diet will also lower BG and the dose you're shooting now might need adjusting.. another good reason for home testing.

Some of the best advice I first got is ......... BREATHE. ;-)
 
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