I wanted to post my story to thank you all for the advice and experience that we have truly appreciated:
We weren't surprised about Junior's diagnosis. He is 12 years old and has been obese since he was 4 and was injured outside. He's always been clumsy and a big baby. What annoys me is that no one ever told me that the "lite" cat food was the highest carb you can find. I thought I was doing what was best for him. I always told the vet what he was eating, and they always told me to look out for signs of diabetes...but NEVER told me to switch the food to LOW CARB food.
Anyways..was sidetracked...JR's levels were in the 400's for 2 months. I was testing several times a day (hes a very good patient) and they got down into the 300s with insulin.
2 months after the diagnosis, and the food switch to EVO dry & wet combined, his numbers were constantly in the 50s. After 2 weeks of this, we reduced and reduced the insulin, and then cut it off altogether before I went on a 2 week vacation. My petsitter was trained, and in communication with my vet during this time.
I was dreading returning home and seeing high numbers again...but they have been around 85 daily for 2 weeks now. We feel like he is a miracle, and that we have been granted a true gift! I'm still randomly testing, and will always do so. But WHAT a relief....we like to sneak away camping or for a night here and there, and just thought that we would never do that again without careful planning and back up care for our big guy.
I'm am very thankful for all of you knowledgeable people in this forum. You all helped to save our guy and us from the daily injections. I carefully read your posts and advice and experiences, and that helped me to choose his food. (Our vet advised other food, and I was vigilant thanks to your suggestions). If he reverts to insulin dependence again, we will be ready...but until then we will count our blessings every day! :mrgreen:
We weren't surprised about Junior's diagnosis. He is 12 years old and has been obese since he was 4 and was injured outside. He's always been clumsy and a big baby. What annoys me is that no one ever told me that the "lite" cat food was the highest carb you can find. I thought I was doing what was best for him. I always told the vet what he was eating, and they always told me to look out for signs of diabetes...but NEVER told me to switch the food to LOW CARB food.
Anyways..was sidetracked...JR's levels were in the 400's for 2 months. I was testing several times a day (hes a very good patient) and they got down into the 300s with insulin.
2 months after the diagnosis, and the food switch to EVO dry & wet combined, his numbers were constantly in the 50s. After 2 weeks of this, we reduced and reduced the insulin, and then cut it off altogether before I went on a 2 week vacation. My petsitter was trained, and in communication with my vet during this time.
I was dreading returning home and seeing high numbers again...but they have been around 85 daily for 2 weeks now. We feel like he is a miracle, and that we have been granted a true gift! I'm still randomly testing, and will always do so. But WHAT a relief....we like to sneak away camping or for a night here and there, and just thought that we would never do that again without careful planning and back up care for our big guy.
I'm am very thankful for all of you knowledgeable people in this forum. You all helped to save our guy and us from the daily injections. I carefully read your posts and advice and experiences, and that helped me to choose his food. (Our vet advised other food, and I was vigilant thanks to your suggestions). If he reverts to insulin dependence again, we will be ready...but until then we will count our blessings every day! :mrgreen:
You have exactly the right attitude towards his remission--relapses can and do occur for various reasons, and the quicker you catch it, treat the underlying problem (like dental issues or infection), and get his BG back under control, the more likely you are to get him back into remission. 