Hi - my cat was just recently diagnosed with diabetes. I was hoping to try controlling through diet first vs starting immediately with insulin. My question is how long should I give the diet approach before needing to start insulin? I have another cat that has kidney disease so I used the food charts on here to try and find a wet food that would work for both (low carb, low phosphorous) and I’ve stopped free feeding dry kibble. Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I just ordered a glucometer so will start home readings soon. I’m a bit worried since this is my most skittish cat and he generally runs from me except for very occasional pets (and at night when I’m laying down when he doesn’t feel threatened). Help!
Newly diagnosed - how long can i try diet before needing insulin?
- Thread starter LaurenT
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Ann & Sister
Member Since 2021
Hi Lauren!
Welcome to the message board.
Could you enhance your post to include the blood glucose numbers taken at your vet's when diagnosed?
I think that will help the expurrts advise you.
Also, in the back of my mind I have just assumed that if one of my two skittish kitties ever gets diabetes, they will need to be caged so I can do what I need to do.
But the Cat God has been good to me and my most obedient ones got the dreaded D.
Hugs,
Welcome to the message board.
Could you enhance your post to include the blood glucose numbers taken at your vet's when diagnosed?
I think that will help the expurrts advise you.
Also, in the back of my mind I have just assumed that if one of my two skittish kitties ever gets diabetes, they will need to be caged so I can do what I need to do.
But the Cat God has been good to me and my most obedient ones got the dreaded D.
Hugs,
Judy & Fritz
Member Since 2021
Hi, Lauren, welcome! Fritz was diagnosed on 7/23 and I changed his diet to all wet with occasional Dr. Elsey’s for snacks. I gave his first insulin dose on 8/4. His BG from his blood panel was 377. Got a second opinion and fructosamine test; vet’s AlphaTrak meter read 403, my ReliOn Prime meter measured same blood drop at 324. He is on .05 ProZinc twice a day. His numbers are pretty consistently in the 200’s now using the ReliOn meter, with two in the high 100’s and once or twice in the 300’s. So I gave him two weeks to adjust to diet waiting to see second opinion vet. I don’t think it normally would take more than a week.
Bree & Misty
Member Since 2021
Hi Lauren!
There is a vet, Dr Lisa, who is frequently referenced on this board. She has a website about feline nutrition and it has a section on diabetes.
Here is a quote: "Unless the patient’s clinical signs warrant immediate insulin administration, I try a diet change – with no insulin – for 3-5 days to see what impact the new diet will have on the blood glucose. In most cases, I do not agree with waiting much longer than a week to start insulin."
Source: https://catinfo.org/feline-diabetes/#Switching_the_Diabetic_Cat_to_a_Low_Carbohydrate_Diet_
I hope this helps!
There is a vet, Dr Lisa, who is frequently referenced on this board. She has a website about feline nutrition and it has a section on diabetes.
Here is a quote: "Unless the patient’s clinical signs warrant immediate insulin administration, I try a diet change – with no insulin – for 3-5 days to see what impact the new diet will have on the blood glucose. In most cases, I do not agree with waiting much longer than a week to start insulin."
Source: https://catinfo.org/feline-diabetes/#Switching_the_Diabetic_Cat_to_a_Low_Carbohydrate_Diet_
I hope this helps!
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