Newly diagnosed

[athleticsfan43]

We received the diagnosis of diabetes today for our approx 13 year old tabby Angel. On the one hand I'm relieved because I feared a kidney failure diagnosis. On the other hand I'm trying to take it all in. Glad this board exists and I look forward to the information and support I see exists here.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Glad you found us! There's lots of info here that will help you help Angel. You'll see we advocate wet, low carb food, hometesting and a mild, long lasting insulin.

Read and ask questions. We'd love to help you help your kitty.

 

[Kirby]

I am in the same boat. I just received the diagnosis today for my girl Lily. Although they want to retest in 3 months with high protein diet to make sure that the high reading wasn't due to travel stress. It is nice to know that she and I share something in common. I am type 2 diabetic. I know that I want to do whatever I need to to give her a long life. I was a "dog" person until Lily came waltzing into my life. Thank you, thank you for providing this board.

 

[nwnews]

Glad you found this board - everyone is so supportive and helpful. Feline Diabetes seems overwhelming at first but once you get into a routine it seems normal. Many older cats have both diabetes and kidney disease - both conditions are treatable and cats can have a good life with with both diseases. Learn to hometest your cats blood glucose so that you know how much insulin to give but also avoid a life threatening hypoglycemic episode. Testing also saves money by being able to do your own curves (test, feed, give insulin then test again after 3 hrs, 6 hrs, and 12 hrs so you can see how your cats body is reacting to insulin). Many vets are against home testing but all of us here ignore that - you wouldn't give your child insulin without testing their sugar so why should it be different with a cat? Switch your cat to a canned low carb diet - you can find Janet and Binky's food page that lists carb counts of the different commercial foods - try to stay under 7% carbs if possible. The best insulins are Lantus, Levemir, and Prozinc for cats - if your vet tries to prescribe Humulin N - don't go for it. Humulin is better for dogs then cats - its a much harsher insulin that doesn't last as long. So welcome and feel free to ask any questions you have. Jan

 

[darcylynn]

Glad I came across this post!
Few questions: My 14 year old (Seymore) male was diagnosed with diabetes about 5 months ago. His brother was also a diabetic for about 5 years, recently passed. Anyways, I have learned a lot from everyone on here and am so greatful! Seymore started on prozinc, we were up and down with units, switched over to fancy feast classics. It has been a miracle for us! Have in off the juice for 5 days now and he is very happy!! BG numbers are between 75-100!! I had seymore in this past tues for full blood work, everything was great! except, his kidney function level was a little high, nothing too bad yet! The vet said to have a recheck in 3 weeks. According to my vet, if there is a start of renal failure...seymores diet is going to have to change again and he may become insulin dependant again!! GRRRRRRR!!!!! I really need some advice on this!! He is the happiest he has been in months being off insulin, and we dont want to start him on again because i have to change his food for kidneys. What are people feeding their kitties with kidney problems?? The vet said the low carb/high protein isnt good for kidneys. Help!!

 

[hmjohnston]

Darcy-
Not 100% positive but there shouldn't be that much of a diet change if Seymour isn't stage 'really bad' (i can't remember if that is 3 or 1- just know it is the final stages) and you just find those foods low in phosphorous to feed.

Start a thread in health with the line "possible kidney disease- any food ideas?" There are plenty on here who have kidney problems as that sometimes follows diabetes around like a ball and chain. Or do a search under kidney disease and a bunch will pop up there!