When do you know if your cat is OTJ and controlled with Diet?

[animallvr64]

Hello,

My name is Vickie and I have a diabetic cat name Howard who is 14 years old, and is a sweetheart!. I got Howard from a woman in Denver, CO who was needing to rehome her cat, due to moving and she couldn't take him with her, so he was transported to Michigan and is now part of my family with my other diabetic cat China. Howard prior to coming to me was getting 4 units of Prozinc once a day, and was not being home tested (which I thought was too much and crazy for giving it without knowing him number). So I started home testing the day he came to me, and his numbers were low like in the 90's or low 100's. I have to admit I still gave him the 4 units but only once, cause I didn't feel comfortable with that much with lower numbers. So I reduced the amount given to half but then the other day he went into a hypo and had a seziure his number was down to 34, got him out of that THANK GOD !! and got advice on this site, and withheld his insulin for 24 hours to see what his numbers would do. As of today his preshot AM number was 107 did not give any insulin. Howard has not gotten any insulin for 2 days now, so to my question how long before you consider your cat to be OTJ and controlled with diet? I am just not use to this my other cat China is much harder to control and requires shots on and off. So any advice would be great. There are two spreadsheets one is Howards it has his name at the end, the other is my China girl. China is on Novlin N insulin. Sorry for the long post just wanted to give you some history.

Thank you
Vickie & Howard

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

It sounds like your Howard could be a lucky boy! We consider a cat In remission if they range from 40-120 for 14 days without insulin, with the majority of the time in double digits. So he is in the countdown!

What are you feeding? It's possible that lowering the carb level of his food could reduce his glucose levels. And help him maintain the lower levels.

Just for reference, we urge new diabetics not to shoot under 200.

 

[animallvr64]

Hi, Sue

Thank you for the info... we are on the count down and i hope it contiunes. We will see how it goes

Currently he is eating IAMS Senior +11 dry food. (I know dry is not good for them) However he won't eat moist food at all !! I have also been giving him fresh cooked chicken, and turkey, and started giving him a 1/4 tsp of coconut oil in his food in the AM.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

It would be more likely that he go into remission if you could get him on lower carb food - even lower carb dry would be better. I assume you have seen this website by a vet: www.catinfo.org. She has ideas for reluctant eaters and her food chart will let you see the carb value of Iams. We suggest 8-10% and below so any food in that range would be an improvement.

 

[animallvr64]

yes, I have seen that page, I am looking into other food options, also thinking of making my own food. Doing some research on this right now.