Newly diagnosed :(

[BeckyCornelius]

Hi,

After a very scary trip to the vet, Lint was diagnosed with pancreatitis and then diabetes.

Lint is only 11 years old and has been very healthy his whole life. He is a smoked eqytion mau who now has a few patches in his fur from being shaved for iv fluids and to have blood drawn.

It was recommended that I try diet changes before insulin. I was hoping for advice and help understanding this new diagnosis, I am to terrified of losing him to something that can be treated.

I appreciate any and all replies!!

 

[Merlin]

Welcome Becky and Lint (love the name) to FDMB. Yes probably a diet change is the best especially before starting insulin. I am assuming that you were feeding dry food? Anyway, here is a great article created by Dr. Lisa Pierson. The article talks a lot about diet and also includes a list of foods which are low in carbs. Holler if you have any questions. www.catinfo.org

 

[BJM]

Welcome to FDMB.
Switching to low carb canned or raw food may reduce the glucose level 100-200 mg/dL, and in 1 case, dropped the glucose 300 mg/dL.
Making the switch about 20-25% different food every day or so will help minimize the chances of food refusal, or GI upset (diarrhea or vomiting).
If you've a cat that scarfs, it helps to add a tablespoon of water to a meal and spread it thinly across a wide plate. You can freeze part of the food to be eaten as it thaws, too.

 

[BeckyCornelius]

Welcome Becky and Lint (love the name) to FDMB. Yes probably a diet change is the best especially before starting insulin. I am assuming that you were feeding dry food? Anyway, here is a great article created by Dr. Lisa Pierson. The article talks a lot about diet and also includes a list of foods which are low in carbs. Holler if you have any questions. www.catinfo.org

Hey Cindi and Merlin!
What a cute cat!! Yes I was free feeding dry food and giving a small amount of wet food in the morning and evening.
Thank you for the article, it was extremely helpful!
I bought some of the tiki cat and B.f.f to try, so far he is loving the wet food!!
Thank you so much, I'm sure I will have more questions the more I read!!

 

[BeckyCornelius]

Welcome to FDMB.
Switching to low carb canned or raw food may reduce the glucose level 100-200 mg/dL, and in 1 case, dropped the glucose 300 mg/dL.
Making the switch about 20-25% different food every day or so will help minimize the chances of food refusal, or GI upset (diarrhea or vomiting).
If you've a cat that scarfs, it helps to add a tablespoon of water to a meal and spread it thinly across a wide plate. You can freeze part of the food to be eaten as it thaws, too.

Thank you! He does love to scarf down food! I have taken your advice and added more water to his food to help, also he was pretty dehydrated so this has definitely helped!! I am definitely going to try freezing some food so he will have something to eat throughout the day when I have to work longer!
Thank you so much for your time and advice!

 

[BJM]

You might invest in a timed feeder if you find he'll eat the frozen part before it completely thaws. Folks here have found the Pet Safe 5 fairly reliable. Check Amazon for pricing, then compare with your local Pet Smart, etc. as some of the local stores will match prices.

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[Merlin]

I freeze water down food in ice cube trays. I make about 30 of them at a time and pop them out into a larger tuper ware bowl and freeze. I gave about 2-3 of them when I was going to be gone all day and it worked great.

I also elevated all my cat's food dish. It sometimes helps with those that have tummy and nausea issues and I just think it is more natural for them to sit and eat that way.