Update on Riley and a food question

[artrageous]

Riley is doing pretty well! We recently increased his Lantus to 2 units, 2x a day. I didn't test for about 2 weeks because I simply couldn't get enough blood out of his ear with a hand-held lancet and finally got the vet's office to mail me a box of 25-gauge needles. Sometimes those work TOO well, though, and his ear bleeds too much. :sad:

Since the increase to 2 units, his BGL has stayed below 300, so that's a good thing (a link to his spreadsheet is in my signature). The vet might want me to increase a bit more to try to get his numbers lower, but the other morning when his BGL was 190 I only gave him 1 unit instead of 2. Not sure if that was the right thing to do, but I knew I had to be gone all day and didn't want to risk a hypo reaction...

He's still eating a LOT. While I've switched everyone to EVO dry, he doesn't seem to eat much of it due to his throat bothering him at times (he has caudal stomatitis), BUT he's going through 4-5 cans of Fancy Feast turkey classic per day. YIKE$$$$$$$! The texture is good for his throat, but I'm wondering if there's any other smooth-textured low-carb canned food that would be less expensive that you'd recommend.

 

[Hillary & Maui (GA)]

Have you checked out Binky's chart?

http://www.felinediabetes.com/diabetic-cat-diets.htm

Be sure to look at both the new canned and old canned links.

The goal is to use food that is 10% or less carbs. There are lots of options here that will be less expensive.

For example, Friskies, PetSmart's brand Sophisticat (can be purchased in the 13 ounce size) are both less expensive than FF.

Personally, I use Friskies Special Diet - turkey & giblets and beef & liver - these are very low carb - 3-5% range.

So yes, you have lots of options, the trick is finding what your cat likes at the price your wallet likes. ;-)

 

[Lisa dvm]

While I've switched everyone to EVO dry,

Sadly, Man's 'marriage' to dry food sure causes a lot of pain and suffering to cats..... *and* the pocketbook of their owners..... with the diseases that it contributes to.

Please see my Urinary Tract Health page and take a look at Opie's pictures to see how cats often suffer when being fed a water-depleted diet.

With regard to the "owner's pocketbook", Opie's bill was $4,000 for a 1 week stay in the emergency clinic and another $350 to deal with a stricture in his penis from a traumatic catheterization.

Pay me now....or pay me later....males and cystitis/blockages....females and cystitis....diabetic cats and infections.....all significantly contributed to by feeding a water-depleted diet.

Remember...it is NOT just about carbs!

 

[Kelly & Oscar]

I agree with Dr. Lisa here, especially with a stomatitis kitty. He is going to eat like a horse until the diabetes is regulated. Food intake should go down to 2-3 cans after that. Also, many stomatitis kitty owners have reported luck in switching to a raw diet because the preservatives and additives in commercial foods can add to the inflammatory response. After I get back from visiting family over Christmas I plan on trying to switch over completely. Depending on your area and what is available to you, you should be able to feed a balanced raw diet for about the same amount as the Fancy Feast. I have also read that owners have had luck with L-lysine supplements. Many cats are carriers of the feline herpes virus (not all show symptoms) and any sort of infection will amp up the immune system, leading to excess inflammation in susceptible areas. This is something I plan on trying with all my kitties this week when the powder comes in the mail. One of my other kitties in the house has a weepy eye that is helped by viralys gel, so I can only assume that the others are carriers.