Newly diagnosed, multi cat household

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FelixMommy

Member Since 2013
Hello All!
Im hoping there are others out there who have dealt with my current concern... My oldest cat, Felix, was diagnosed with diabetes earlier this week. We are a multi-cat household, and one of my other cats has chronic urinary tract issues. For the last several years, under vet's advice, I have been feeding Feline CD to all 4 of my cats to simplify matters. Now, with all that I am reading, I know that Felix shouldn't have dry food at all, and yet I need to find something that won't aggravate Angus' urinary tract problems. I don't really know what to do, and there isn't really any way to segregate them during feeding times.
I'm sort of overwhelmed right now. I just want to keep everyone healthy, and still be able to afford to feed myself. Any advice?

Shannon (And Felix, Angus, Lily, and Chloe)
 
Friskies Special Diet versions are generally safe for cats prone to urinary tract issues and the nutrition is good for diabetics. I'm pretty sure there is a canned version of the C/D that may be fed; check with your vet. Cat Info has a great, printable chart of food info which includes phosporus levels which may help you find something you can feed both cats.
 
I segregate mine for feeding. A pair goin into my bedroom, another in another bedroom, another in the bathroom, and one ones fed on a table where the other ones can't get to.
 
Mine all eat separately. They all have their own rooms and know their places. Maybe you can try to separate Felix during meal time.
 
Have you started Felix on insulin yet? If so, a change in food may bring his blood glucose down rather suddenly.. so you would be best to test his blood at home. Has your vet mentioned this?

Wendy
 
Hi Shannon and Felix and welcome to the FDMB. Lots of folks here and you have already seen the power of the board with all those suggestions you got.

Here is a list of all the low carb foods that also are <250 for phosphorus.

Shortcut shopping list <250 phosphorus. Adapted from Rhiannon & Shadow’s shortcut list
all values are from Dr. Pierson's updated list, September 2012

carbs in % . . last number is phosphorus (CKD, CRF cats need under 250 phosphorus)

5% - Friskies Special diet Beef and Liver entree 241
5% - Friskies Special diet Turkey and Giblets dinner pate 189
5% - Friskies Special diet Beef and Chicken Entree pate 242
7% - Friskies Special Diet with Salmon 228

3% Weruva Paw Lickin' chicken 196
9% Weruva Green Eggs & chicken 230
4% Weruva On the Cat Wok 163
5% Weruva Steak Frites 118
7% Weruva MidEast Feast 202

Weruva Cats in the Kitchen canned food
3% La Isla Bonita 166
8% Funk in the Trunk 250
4% Fowl Ball 180
8% Lamb Burger-ini 236
2% Chicken Frick 'A Zee 174
8% The Double Dip 248

5% - Merrick Cowboy cookout 202
8% - Merrick Grammy's pot pie 237
3% - Merrick Surf n Turf 229
9% -Merrick Turducken 219

1% - Merrick Before Grain cat 96% beef – 163
2% - Merrick Before Grain cat 96% turkey – 178

5% - Wellness Kitten 216
4% - Wellness chicken 219
4% - Wellness turkey 201
4% - Wellness Beef and chicken 226
6% - Wellness beef & salmon 207


8% - Wellness Core chicken/turkey/chicken liver 215
5% - Wellness Core Beef , Venison & Lamb 171

3% - Nature's Variety Instinct Grain free Beef – 248
1% - Nature's Variety Instinct Grain free Duck 191

2% - Natura Evo 95% chicken and turkey 155
4% - Natura Evo 95% beef – 234

2% Hounds & Gatos chicken 241
9% Hounds & Gatos Beef 250
3% Hounds & Gatos Lamb/chicken/salmon 225
3% Hounds & Gatos Lamb & Duck Liver 244

8% -Holistic Select chicken & lamb 222

3% Soulistic Polynesian Picnic 239
4% Soulistic Celestial Feast 250
7% Soulistic Upstream Dream 234
8% Soulistic Nautical Nirvana 228

9% Max Cat Chicken Supreme 173
8% Max Cat with savory duck 197
8% Max Cat with Savory Venison 214

8% Avoderm Chicken Chunks/gravy 234
2% Avoderm Tuna % chicken w/ veggies 241

9% Halo Succulent Salmon 227

1% Eukanuba adult Entree with gourmet chicken 239
8% Eukanuba adult Entree with Lamb and Rice 230
3% Eukanuba adult Entree with Pacific Salmon 241

7% Evolve -chicken 214
6% Evolve turkey 244

0% Natural Balance O'Fischally Scampi 244

5% Pinnacle Chicken and Ocean fish 175
5% Pinnacle Chicken and Tuna 221
4% Pinnacle Ocean Fish 231

3% Authority Chicken 238
7% Authority Turkey & Giblets 222
8% Authority Beef 249


BFF (Best Feline Friends ) also made by Weruva
BFF 2% Tuna and Chicken 234
BFF 2% Tuna and Salmon soulmates 236
BFF 2% Tuna and Shrimp Sweethearts 236
BFF 2% Tuna and Bonito Be Mine 240
BFF 2% Tuna & Tilapia Twosome 240
BFF 5% Tuna & Pumpkin Valentine 243
BFF 2% Tuna & Chicken Chuckles 234

8% Dr Fosters and Smiths Chicken 204

2% ZiwiPeak Lamb 224
Click to expand...

Lots of choices there as you can see. You should be able to find several foods your cats will like and help your two cats with the different medical issues.

You might want to read this vets article on Urinary Tract Health.

Wink was very prone to urinary tract issues. Since I switched him from dry food to wet canned food, he's had no problems, going on 4 months now. I think it's the extra water in his diet. I add even more water to the canned food, about 1 Tablespoon mix and stir until the consistency of applesauce. Worked like a charm. It's something you may want to consider for your Angus. More water in the diet is very helpful for cats with urinary tract issues.
 
I am so very grateful to all of you for your suggestions and the wealth of information! To Wendy, yes, Felix started on insulin immediately. The vet also had me get a glucose meter and testing supplies, but I haven't been terribly successful at that end of it yet... I actually stabbed the crap out of myself earlier trying to test him. Giving the shot is no problem, but I need some suggestions on testing.
Deb, the list of foods is amazing! I am encouraged to know that I have that
Many options. Angus started having UT issues when he was quite young, and I nearly lost him to one a few years ago, so you can understand my concerns.
I may try separate feedings for them. I am having to make a LOT of changes in a very short amount of time...

I am so glad I found this board. I have felt like I was going crazy the last few days, and it helps so much to have others who understand that I can reach out to.

Shannon, Felix, Angus, and the girls
 
Here are some testing tips.. https://docs.google.com/document/d/13c_CPZVKz27fD_6aVbsguadJKvjSrSAkD7flgPPhEag/pub

What meter do you have? The alphatrak pet meter is a bit expensive on strips so many of us use teh cheaper Walmart relion confirm or micro brands instead..

Let us know how you get on with the testing. We also have a handy sheet for tracking results and watching for trends etc. which you can share with us if you want more help.. http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18207

Wendy
 
What's the insulin?

If you look at my signature, you will see some little bits of data in there. If you would put some similar data in your signature, it would help us to help you better. Go to user control panel, profile tab, edit signature, submit and save.
 
I have two who eat canned food (sugarcat Chester and cranky toothless civvie Sophie). We guard them with squirt guns while they eat. Everyone else gets Wellness Core dry food. It's not optimal, but it's the best solution we've found for the mix in our household of seven.
 
Thanks again for all of the help! I tried the trick of adding water to Felix's food and he loves it. He's a dry food fan, and the only thing he likes about wet food is the gravy... Now the whole thing is gravy to him. Still having challenges with testing. The thing is, I don't really know when to do it. My vet just told me "You know your cat. Test him when you feel like something is not right." I feel like I need to test him, even though he seems to be responding well to the insulin, jist to see where we are. She wants him to come in for a glucose curve soon, but I would like to see before then what is happening with him. Any advice on when to test, to determine the effectiveness of his current dosage?
 
We recommend always testing before each shot of insulin. What we call the pre-shot tests.

Then, test somewhere in the middle of the cycle if you are home. To find the low point or nadir.

Then, we recommend you get a last test before you head to bed. If you aren't getting any tests in the PM cycle, you are missing half your data.

Dosing changes for Lantus are based on those mid-cycle lows or nadirs. That is why you need some tests during the middle of the cycle. Cats can have varying times for nadirs, anywhere from +4 to +8 hours after the shot.

Most people that work, can't get those mid-day tests during the week, so weekends are when they do those tests. You might want to test at +4 and +5 one day, and +6 and +7 another day. It helps to fill in the pattern with testing at different times. Sometimes, you need to set an alarm to wake you up to get a +6 in the middle of the night. It all depends on what your shot schedule is and how long it is before you head off to bed.
 
FelixMommy said:
She wants him to come in for a glucose curve soon, but I would like to see before then what is happening with him. Any advice on when to test, to determine the effectiveness of his current dosage?
Click to expand...

And if you're testing him, you won't have to take him in for a curve, too! ;-) Many of us here share our spreadsheet links with our vets. I actually had to take Michelangelo into the vet today because he hasn't been eating and my vet looked at his numbers and said, "I don't think it's diabetes-related; probably just a stomach bug or a bad hairball." No curve necessary. :smile:
 
You are in awesome hands.

I too was overwhelmed by the prospect of feeding, but it was easier then I had thought.

I feed my kitties, all 4, diabetic included, Friskies Special Diet Turkey and Giblets. It's on the list posted earlier as well. I chose this one after very careful consideration and reviewing the list from Dr. Pierson.

Each gets their own bowl, weighed out on a scale. Since we used to only free feed dry food, all of my kitties aren't quite used to meal feeding yet.

I choose about 4 spots in in the kitchen about 10 feet away from each other and I put down a bowl for each of them. When a kitty walks away to another bowl, I pick him/her up and put them back to their bowl.I know they are done when they walk in another direction away from the food. I then pick up the bowls, clean them up and we are done until the evening. We could do separate rooms but for me, it's just as easy to monitor them while they eat. I had to change a couple of work commitments, but it's working for us.

Sure I have to monitor them, but part of the goal is to ensure that my diabetic kitty doesn't get any of the dry food we have left over which I am feeding to the other until its gone. Then we go strictly to wet food. The non diabetics get 50/50 wet dry. My diabetic gets all wet. I also want to ensure that my skinny kitty gets enough food. She's not quite used to the meal feeding so I remind her to finish her bowl when she wanders off. Even when we are strictly on wet food I want to ensure each get their proper portion so I will continue to monitor after the dry food is gone.

Hope this helps in some small way!
 
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