Newly Diagnosed: Natalie and Pepper in St. Louis, MO

[Courtney and Kismet]

Hi Everybody!

My best friend Natalie's fur baby, Pepper, was just diagnosed this morning. She was diagnosed on the basis of a single test (no curve!) that came back in the 300s. Pepper has been exhibiting other symptoms, though, including lethargy, weight loss, excessive thirst and urination. The vet has prescribed Lantus, science diet dry, and 2 units bid! @-)
Before getting her script filled, Natalie is going to try switching her diet to all low carb wet and testing at home. I've sent her a lot of links and information and walked her through the process. We're hoping that the diet change alone will do the trick.

A little bit about Pepper: She was a stray that adopted Natalie. They're not sure how old she is, but think about 9 years old. She's a tiny little thing, she only weighs about 7 lbs and has never had any weight problems. She eats dry food (sometimes wet food) so switching shouldn't be a problem. Pepper has had other health issues in the past (I'll let Nat fill you guys in there.)

As some of you know, I live in Miami. Natalie and Pepper live in St. Louis, Missouri, so unfortunately I can't pop over and show her how to do everything so I wanted to introduce her to this site. Please welcome Natalie and Pepper!

 

[BJM]

Re: Newly Diagnosed -- Natalie and Pepper

Its great that you're helping them.

Maybe add the city/state in the title to see if some other members might be close enough to show her some of the ropes?

 

[Courtney and Kismet]

Re: Newly Diagnosed -- Natalie and Pepper in St. Louis, Miss

Thanks, BJM! That's a good idea. Hopefully she won't ever have to give an insulin shot, but just in case. Is there anyone in the St. Louis area that would be available to help out?

 

[JoyceOlive]

Hi,my cats name is Whitey and he was diagnosed last month.my vet wanted to put him on Lantus which was outrageously priced,and prescribed science diet wet and dry.I decide like your friend to put him on the "catkins diet" all canned,low carb and hoped that diet change alone might reverse his condition. He got better for several weeks it seemed.Meanwhile,I joined this site to get educated and bought a meter and started home testing.He had tested at375 last month.Well,symptoms came back,increased thirst,ravenous appetite,etc.last week,and his BG jumped back close to 400,so I decided to call vet and put him on prozinc,which was more affordable.I have given him his third injection this morning and tested him 5 hours later and was so thrilled to see his BG at 180.I wish your friend luck at trying diet change,but it did not work for me.I think it is a good idea to get him on the low carb diet though before starting on insulin and during that time she needs to cram all the info she can get and learn to home test.