Officially OTJ??

[Glenn & Sam]

Could it be possible? If so, I consider us EXTREMELY lucky.

Here is the spreadsheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AiFjKAS2XZBMdHBRRW9haGNBSHF2cWJYcHpGNmt5c1E&output=html

What do you think?

and...if so, what next?
How often should I test for relapse?
I am currently feeding him 1 can a day of friskies. The kind with gravy. I know it's not ideal, but he won't eat pate no matter how I try to disguise it and the numbers seem to be working anyways.

Thanks as always for your insight!

-Glenn and Syd

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

I would continue to test for awhile yet. He is in nice double digits a lot of those two weeks, but he has been above 200 several times. To be safe (and have the chance to lower any numbers with insulin if he starts on an upward track) I'd keep testing daily.

Our general idea is 2 weeks under 120 with the majority of the time in double digits. I think he will be there, but if he were mine, I'd still keep a close eye on him for a little while longer.

Any chance you could try another brand and get rid of the gravy? That could make the difference in bg numbers. Have you considered raw? You can buy some samples and see if he is interested.

 

[Glenn & Sam]

Thanks for the response!

Ok, i'll keep testing. Unfortunately, due to increased work schedule the rest of this week, testing wont be consistently every 12 hours(neither will the meals). So I hope that doesn't affect things negatively.

I've tried 3 brands of Pate, and so far no go. I'll stop off at the store and buy a variety and see if he'll bite.
it's also been difficult to establish how much exactly he is eating since I have another cat as well. They both seem to switch off which dish they use. I'm not sure what to do about this short of locking one up while the other is eating.
Something interesting I discovered tonight is that the other cat seems to be licking the gravy up before Syd gets to it. So I'm thinking it's more about the meat morsels than the gravy.

What do you mean by raw? do i go buy a piece of filet minion and feed it to him? Where would I get samples from? Sorry, raw is a new idea to me I'm thinking he would like it though.

Thanks again
-Glenn

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Two premade foods are Nature Variety and Feline's Pride. I'd call around - it may be easiest to find them at specialty stores. Usually you can buy a sample size. Here is some info from Dr. Lisa's site:

"Another option before purchasing the grinder and supplements is to try a commercially prepared raw food diet.   Feline's Pride  uses a recipe very close to the one on this page and several of my cats gave it a 'two dew-claws up' vote when it was offered. This diet is free of any grains, vegetables and fruits. However, when shipping is considered, it is very expensive.

Another choice for a commercial raw diet is Nature's Variety raw Medallions. This diet is comprised of 95% meat and bones and 5% fruits and vegetables which is a reasonable blend.  It is also grain-free.  It is cheaper and easier to find than Feline's Pride but I find that more cats will eat Feline's Pride when compared to Nature's Variety Medallions."

You can also make your own raw. Lots of people do it. Again, Dr. Lisa's site has all the info: www.catinfo.org. It's not straight meat - you need to add other nutrients.

Your numbers don't have to be 12 hours apart. I'd get tests in when you can. You just need to see where he is generally.

 

[Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)]

If you aren't giving insulin, then you don't have to worry about "when" you test. In fact, do it randomly so you get an overall picture of what the BG looks like. Before feeding, an hour or two after feeding, half way between meals. Test before you feed and 2 hours later. That will show you how his body is reacting to the BG rise that comes from eating. If all is well, his pancreas will counter the rise, and regulate the BG back down.
If you pick a different time each day or night, over the course of a couple weeks you will probably have tested every hour of your day, and you'll have the total range of BG numbers that's he's experiencing.

Carl