What should I feed my kitty?

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Erika&Marilyn

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My cat Marilyn was diagnosed with Diabetes yesterday. Her vet prescribed Hills Prescription Diet M/D food. After talking to a friend whose cat also has Diabetes she suggested that I finish the bag I was required to buy and use something else. My question is, is it harming her to eat this food, should I try something else? and if there is an alternative please let me know. The food is ridiculously expensive for a tiny bag and I already had to spend $140 dollars on Lantus to get her started on the Insulin.

Thank in advance:D
 
Welcome,

No dry is really very good for a diabetic cat. We here strongly suggest that you feed her a low carb/high protein canned wet food. I personally feed all 10 of my cats (1 is a diabetic) the friskies pate flavors or 9-lives pate. The is a wonderful list here called Binky's list. (I'm sure someone will be along with a link). But between a low carb canned diet and a little bit of Lantus my guy is now in remission. But before removing the dry food you are going to want to be home testing, as taking dry food along out of the diet can drop her bgs as much as a 100.

Mel & Max
 
I appreciate the help. My vet wasn't exactly too interested in answering my questions and the last thing I want to do it spend money where I don't need to, prescription food being one of those things.

As for the home testing, is that similar to how a person may test their blood glucose levels? My vet recommended I get her started on Lantus and come back in a week for her to have a glucose curve test. Is this something that's being done to test how effective her insulin is or can I eliminate the visit by testing at home?
 
Erika&Marilyn said:
As for the home testing, is that similar to how a person may test their blood glucose levels? My vet recommended I get her started on Lantus and come back in a week for her to have a glucose curve test. Is this something that's being done to test how effective her insulin is or can I eliminate the visit by testing at home?
Click to expand...

Yes, very similar to how a Human diabetic tests their blood glucose levels. Instead of pricking a finger, you prick the edge of a cat's ear or a paw pad. Warming the ear or paw pad really well will help get the blood flowing. Most people use a "rice sock" or something similar. Then just use the lancet device or freehand the lancet alone to prick the area and get a drop of blood. Apply the blood to the test strip and wait for the meter to give a reading.

Here is info about testing blood glucose levels in cats: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=287

You can eliminate all vet office blood glucose testing by doing your own testing at home :thumbup Not only will it save you money, the results will be much more accurate. Some cats get so stressed out at hte vet's office that their blood glucose levels skyrocket really high, resulting in an inaccurate curve. Keep track of your cat's blood glucose levels and share them with your vet. People here use a Google spreadsheet. There are instructions on how to set one up in the Tech board.
 
Welcome to you and your kitty. This might all seem very scary and overwhelming right now, but you will get the hang of it. Feline diabetes is a very manageable disease. By hometesting, like a human would do for themselves, you will save yourself trips to the vet, money, stress on your kitty, and maybe even your kitty's life. There are many people here who will help along the way and tons of info.

Low carb wet food is the ideal way to feed most diabetic cats. We have switched all of our cats to wet in order to keep Lulu out of the dry, and their coats have improved and they seems happier and healthier. We feed Fancy Feast Classic Beef... many of the classic FF flavors are low carb. Avoid food labels with the words gravy... but it doesn't hurt to have a few around once you start home testing... they will help your kitty if the blood glucose (bg's) numbers are low and you are concerned. Prob. too much info right now... sorry... don't want to swamp you.

Here is the Binky's food chart link http://binkyspage.tripod.com/canfood.html

I would suggest surfing around the site about hometesting... there's all kinds of different info about meters and strips as well as checking for ketones. There is a lot to take in, but take your time and ask away.
Amanda
 
Thank you all very much. You've been far more helpful then my vet was.

I gave Marilyn her first two shots today. She now refuses to sit by me because she thinks I'll poke her with something but, I'm hoping that'll go away with time.
My other cat Annabell is having a field day with the soft food (we usually feed them dry because Annabelle as a poop problem. ICK!)

Anyway, I'll keep looking around and see what I can discover or have questions on. I appreciate the help!
 
You should be able to return the rest of the M/D back to your vet for a refund. Just tell them your cat quit eating it. They don't need to know that the reason you cat quit eating it is because you quit feeding it. Most prescription cat foods can be returned even if they are opened.
 
I'm feeling slightly concerned at the moment. My vet has me giving Marilyn 1 unit of inuslin twice a day. Since we've started she's nearly impossible to find because she's hiding in really unusual places. She is eating all of her food but when she's not eating, she's hiding. She no longer comes upstairs (which is usually where she sleeps). I've spent nearly an hour searching for her this afternoon and I have yet to find her. Is this behavior something I should be calling her vet about?
 
Unfortunately it is impossible to k now what the cause is, but something isn't right.

a couple of possibilities

1. how was she diagnosed? was it a blood glucose test, urine test or blood fructosamine tests? And do you know the exact result (ie number) ?
2. was she tested for ketones? these are a nasty complication in a newly diagnosed cat
3. she could be overdosed or underdosed....without hometesting it is impossible to really know

You could post your general location as we have members all over and perhaps one of us lives nearby and can help

Jen
 
She was diagnoses originally through a urine test. I brought her in actually because I noticed her pee was rather sticky. The vet was first concerned that she had a Thyroid issue and then proceeded with blood tests which confirmed her Diabetes. If I can remember correctly I believe her number was around 450, alarmingly high as far as I was concerned.

I'm not sure if she was tested for Ketones or not. I was told to start giving her the Insulin and return in a week for a Glucose Curve Test. Given that I had no idea what I was doing I've made an appointment and intend to visit just so the vet can tell me if her insulin dose is too high or too low. In regards to her feeding I have switched her to a wet food diet on one of the brands mentioned above. It's a classic Fancy Feast I believe. I have noticed that she'd been slightly more social as she's been returning to one of her favorite spots on a rug in my kitchen but, she doesn't sleep on laps, couches, or come upstairs as she used to. I suppose it might be worthwhile to mention that she's also being treated for an upper respiratory infection. Is it possible that the medication she's taking for that is effecting her behavior as well?
 
We think doing a curve at home is a much better idea. If she is stressed at all with the strange noises, smells and people at the vet, her blood glucose levels will be higher than they would be at home. If the dose is based on those numbers, it can be too much insulin once she gets home and relaxes.

I hope we can talk you into learning to test at home. If you want to put your city and state in your subject line, maybe someone lives close by and could come help.

Is she still fussing about the shots?
 
I updated my profile a bit ago with my state and such.

She's not so much fussing about the shots, she just growls and then prances away and hides under our Christmas tree when we've finished.

I'm not really against home testing, I'm just very concerned about the overall cost of everything. In addition to having an apartment, I also have to pay for my university tuitions and other life expenses. I had to pay $140 dollars for insulin that'll only last 28 days and I'm just unsure of where to go from here. I wasn't told too many options other than what I was told I should do at the vet. As far as I'm concerned I would like to to ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to keep Marilyn healthy but at the moment this all seeming rather cost prohibitive. In the end I'm aware home testing is probably the more cost effective option but, because my vet was very vague about my cats condition in the first place I'm not even sure what I'm suppose to be looking for.
 
Yes, home testing can save you a lot of money, while keeping your kitty safe. Shooting blind is really scary. We have free newbie kits with the meter, strips and lancets to get you started: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=19541

Once you get some numbers, you can get guidance here on doses.

Your insulin should last longer than 28 days if you keep it in the frig.
 
She's using Lantus Insulin if that makes a different. I've heard mixed reviews on its shelf life. Is there something I should look for that'll tell me when the Insulin has gone bad?

Thanks for the link by the way. I'll check it out!
 
I contacted some members in Chicago. Hope you will get some contacts here or by private message. Check for New Messages on the top of the page.
 
Hi, Erika. I live on the north side of Chicago. Let me know if you need testing help. Doesn't matter what insulin the cat is on for testing.

BTW, my first diabetic, Beau was 486 at diagnosis. After two+ years, a diet change to all low carb wet food and a better insulin, he is in remission. I credit what I learned here about diet and testing - and my own diligence in applying that knowledge. I love my vet, but at the time she did not know enough about FD to really help. Old thinking. She is much better about it now - still, this is a home managed disease, not a vet office managed one.
 
Erika&Marilyn said:
She's using Lantus Insulin if that makes a different. I've heard mixed reviews on its shelf life. Is there something I should look for that'll tell me when the Insulin has gone bad?

Thanks for the link by the way. I'll check it out!
Click to expand...

Lantus is one of the two best insulins available which can be used in cats, the other is Levemir. I say best because it has a very good track record of getting newly diagnosed diabetic cats in to remission, if used properly.

Just want to help you feel better about the cost. It should be kept refrigerated and not jostled too much, for example, don't put it in the door of your refrigerator. It should remain a clear liquid without any "floaters" in it. It does not need to be rolled or mixed before use. Do not inject air or excess insulin back in to the vial or pen. Simply push the syringe needle in, withdraw about what you need, then squirt the excess in to the sink to get to the dose you need.

Hope that helps.
 
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