Questions about my newly diagnosed kitty

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Gladioli66

Member Since 2017
Harley was diagnosed with diabetes 2 weeks ago. He started drinking large quantities of water and producing overwhelming amounts of urine. Trip to the vet, blood sugar really high. (I cannot remember what the vet said exactly because I was too upset, but I know it was well over 300), Fructose amine (?) elevated also. Started changing diet. To vet 1 1/2 weeks later. Waited, results the same, so made appt. to go back in for tutorial on giving insulin and getting started. All other labs were perfect by the way. Two days prior to that appt. his urine output and water consumption went back to normal, but BG remained high. In November 2016 Harley's labs were fine. It was after he was injected with steroids and antibiotics recently that his urine output and drinking went crazy. (We were trying to clear up a stubborn infection on his chin) I believe the steroid injection triggered something and the vet said that is possible and she feels that he may be trying to revert back to a normal state, but only time will tell. We will return to the vet in 2 weeks and if we cannot get his BG under control with diet Harley will go on insulin. The vet was concerned about starting insulin now because his U/O and drinking had gone back to normal.

So, I want to get Harley on the perfect diet as soon as possible. The vet wanted him on Purina Pro Plan DM. Harley loved it at first, but now he does NOT. He likes Fancy Feast Classic, but I notice that calorie count for DM vs. Classic is very different, the DM being much more calorie dense (higher in fat calories if I read the charts on this site correctly). I really don't know what to feed him or how much at this point. I am freaking out about getting things right as soon as possible. Harley does not like fishy food much or it does not agree with him. I think that is why he does not want the DM. (high salmon content)

If anyone can shed light on what may be going on with Harley or help me figure out what and how much to feed him, I would be very grateful.

I have another kitty, Crunch, who I would like to get on a proper diet as well to prevent this from happening to him.

Also while I am at it, my husband volunteers for a "friends of ferals" group. Three nights a week he goes into multiple urban areas in the city where there are cat colony feeding stations set up and feeds 30 or more cats. The group participates in the local TNR at the Animal Protection League. We spend a large sum of money every month feeding these cats, so are limited on spending more dollars, but if there are suggestions on how to feed these cats "better" without spending more that would be great.

Thank you,
Gladioli

On June 30 Harley's BG was 510 and FructoseAmine was 487. Also, Harley is a structurally large cat, but is still overweight at 15.48 pounds. Doc still does not want to start insulin for 2 weeks post all canned diet modifications. Is this OK. I am anxious to know if I am doing the correct things.
 
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@Lisa and Smoky Love your new avatar, Lisa! :cat:
Hi Gladioli and Harley!
Sounds like Harley may have a little steroid induced diabetes, unfortunately, it happens quite a bit. Could you find out from the vet what his BG was? This might shed a little light for now. HERE is the food chart and ideally you are looking for foods under 10% carbs (3rd column) and around 300 phosphorus, not a whole lot more (4th column). Majority of people do feed Fancy Feast Classics and Friskies pate (excluding indoor formula green cans). What most of us do is feed multiple times a day and add 1-2 tablespoons of warm water to wet food. Are you home testing Harley at all to know how the diet is working? Plus, it would give a more accurate measurement of his BG since he wouldn't be stressed at the Vet. This alone can influence BG to be around 100 points higher :eek:. For how many calories you are looking for, does Harley have any weight issues? How is his chin now? As that infection clears and the steroids wear off, he may not need insulin but would still be considered a diet controlled diabetic, I think. The new diet can work for both of your kitties too :). Treats are also part of a new diet so HERE is a link for those too.

It's great what you and your DH (dear hubby) do for the feral colony :woot:.
 
Yong has asked you some good questions. There's a lot of help available here but I recommend you get a human meter and learn to test BG at home. Wouldn't it be great to find out that your kitty is in normal range and there's no need for insulin?

Kudos to you and your husband for helping those feral kitties. :)
 
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for the reply. I will call the vet on Monday and get Harley's numbers. It would be nice to think Harley's high BG was steroid induced and we can control his numbers with diet alone. I will say a prayer and cross my fingers. For now we have him on Fancy Feast Classic-both the Chicken and the Turkey and Giblets. According to what you have said, these are too high in phosphorus. Harley and his buddy Crunch will eat anything Turkey or Chicken, but neither are fond of Fishy foods which I notice are lower in phosphorus. We are willing to purchase whatever food is healthiest for both our home cats, but I am having a difficult time figuring out what to try next. It would have been nice if they liked the Purina DM, but they don't. I have not started home testing. My glucometer is 10 years old and I cannot find test strips. I am going to have to purchase a new glucometer. Any suggestions? Fifteen years ago we had a diabetic cat and we found it necessary to check him. It was easy. He had white ears. Harley has black ears making it more difficult. I am going to have to refresh myself on all this because I have forgotten how to even use the glucometer and they have changed. Maybe the home testing on a cat has changed also. Where can I find this info? Harley is very easily stressed even here at home. He cannot handle raised voices or thunderstorms. He runs and hides in the basement, so I imagine going to the vet may raise his BG. He seems calm, never bites, scratches, hisses or growls ever, but he is very sensitive to any kind of commotion. Harley's chin is better than it was and I have some compounded topical metronidazole to apply. The vet agreed, no more injections. Harley could stand to lose some weight as well. We previously had him on Weight Management / Hairball Control food (feel guilty about that) and he was still overweight. No more dry for either cat. I will get his exact weight from the vet on Monday. I went to the The Pet Loft in Bath, Ohio on Friday. They had Weruva, Cats in the Kitchen and various other brands mentioned on the list you provided, but not sure any are better than the Fancy Feast. I found great snacks with minimal ingredients and no carbs, so OK there. I will post again when I have all the numbers and thanks for the info. you have provided. I am a little calmer now and Harley and Crunch are happy about that!
Gladioli


It's great what you and your DH (dear hubby) do for the feral colony :woot:.[/QUOTE]
Yong said:
@Lisa and Smoky Love your new avatar, Lisa! :cat:
Hi Gladioli and Harley!
Sounds like Harley may have a little steroid induced diabetes, unfortunately, it happens quite a bit. Could you find out from the vet what his BG was? This might shed a little light for now. HERE is the food chart and ideally you are looking for foods under 10% carbs (3rd column) and around 300 phosphorus, not a whole lot more (4th column). Majority of people do feed Fancy Feast Classics and Friskies pate (excluding indoor formula green cans). What most of us do is feed multiple times a day and add 1-2 tablespoons of warm water to wet food. Are you home testing Harley at all to know how the diet is working? Plus, it would give a more accurate measurement of his BG since he wouldn't be stressed at the Vet. This alone can influence BG to be around 100 points higher :eek:. For how many calories you are looking for, does Harley have any weight issues? How is his chin now? As that infection clears and the steroids wear off, he may not need insulin but would still be considered a diet controlled diabetic, I think. The new diet can work for both of your kitties too :). Treats are also part of a new diet so HERE is a link for those too.

It's great what you and your DH (dear hubby) do for the feral colony :woot:.
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