Newbie to Feline Diabetes

Hi everyone! I've been searching the thread archives for information on feline diabetes, and I have been getting some great information. I decided to go ahead and create my own thread just to have some more specific questions answered and also so that I can get to know other forum members and they can get to know me.

In February, my 9 year old female calico Snickers was diagnosed with diabetes. At the point of diagnosis, her blood sugar levels were around 200-250. Since we began insulin (initially 1 unit twice a day, worked up to 3 units twice a day), her coat is shiny and soft, she's playful again, and the thirst is gone. However, the real issue we have to deal with now is the trouble we are having with getting an accurate blood sugar level. I don't want to just assume things are "fine" based off her behavior--I'd imagine that's only part of the picture.

Snickers is no stranger to the vet. 2009 we struggled with food allergies. 2010 we struggled with weight. Because of Snickers' "extensive" experience with vets, she has a VERY high anxiety level while she's there. She gets hyper aggressive, won't let anyone near her, they can't even keep her in a kennel because she FLIPS out. She has to stay in an exam room all day while they do this test to monitor her blood sugar every hour.

Yesterday, her blood sugar was in the 400s, and the vet believes that it was so high because of her "extreme" anxiety. I don't know that anything else would make sense -- why else would her blood sugar double AFTER being on insulin for a month? I feel like subjecting her to the vet's testing every 2 weeks just undoes any progress we are making by causing her so much stress. She isn't elderly, but I worry SO much about the effects that kind of stress could have on her. She's practically frothing at the mouth by the time I come pick her up.

I know humans have test strips, is there something out there like cats? If so, where would I obtain one, and how would they work?

Additionally, Snick is on Science Diet W/D to help her get that extra pound off. She gets 1 cup total a day, so we break it down into 1/3 cup servings 3 times a day. You would think we were starving her. She hollers and begs at the pantry door for more food and has even starting trying to steal food out of our hands while we eat -- something she's never done, because she's never been given people food. Is this normal? Is it attributed to "feeling better" from the insulin and having a better appetite? Does anyone have any different dietary suggestions? She's OBSESSED with food.

Any general observations or suggestions from other "parents" of diabetic cats? Sorry for the novel -- I want to do whatever it takes to make sure she has the maximum quality of life we can give her.

For hometesting buy and stick with a "human" meter walmarts is GREAT(relion confirm) I free hand test without the lancet device and works well for us.

I got my cat off insulin in a few weeks using yourdiabeticcat.com and ALL wet low carb food.

If the being so concerned about her food is a recent change I would worry that shes not being controlled right.

Just got in from the vets and cats recovering but read that site and search diabetes and a few more ppl will reply by then

First, Welcome to TCS!
Second, I'm so sorry to hear of the diagnosis.
Third, I commend you on first searching the website for information before you began a thread.

I've not experienced dealing with this disease, but have come across an online resource from a vet about diabetes, along with other cat information - here's the link:
http://www.catinfo.org/?link=felinediabetes

I hope you find this information helpful.

Please be sure to read the Critical Information about changing the diet
AND
not changing the insulin amount given.

http://www.catinfo.org/?link=felined...ritical_Points

She warns about the dangers of continuing to give insulin and changing the diet to a low-carb diet - you'd need professional help in monitoring the insulin needs.

If you take only one point away from this page, it needs to be the understanding that if you stop pouring carbs into your cat by switching to a low-carb canned food diet (or even a dry food diet with lower carbs than you have been feeding), you MUST be aware of the probable immediate and significant impact on your cat's insulin needs.

Click to expand...

It's important to read the whole article to understand any dangers that a diet change might include.

Remember - this article is just another resource that can help you consider ways to help with the management of Snickers' disease - and - should not replace the advice of Snickers' vet.
g

Yourdiabeticcat.com has a great food list.

I also have a diabetic cat who is mortified of the vet. If I get out the carrier for another cat, he becomes lethargic and hides. It's all about him I guess!

I don't test at home. I am not confident enough to do it. I go by his general appearance and his appitite and playfulness. His sugar would go through the roof if I took him in for testing. But that is just me....I am glad you are testing at home. I had considered it, but he was doing so well that I just keep a good eye on him. He has been diabetic for almost 3 years and Ihave never had to have his insulin adjusted.

You are aware that dry food is a no no for a diabetic cat. Go the website above and it will give you all the answers you need.

Good luck. It can be easily managed once under control.

First of all, thank you so much for the input so far. I'm glad it's a slow day in my office (spring break at a major university = no students) because I spent about two hours on the yourdiabeticcat.com website and another hour or so on mycatinfo.org page. Both were INCREDIBLY helpful.

I have to admit I was somewhat discouraged by the vet when I called her to discuss the possibilities of a diet change and home testing. I was told that home testing is not nearly as accurate as bringing the cat in, and that I would have to prick her in the paw. My understanding of these many videos and internet forums is that I would actually be testing her ear.

I was also told that the only difference between a kibble diet and a wet-food diet is that I'm "paying for water" in the wet food and that I should stick with the prescription kibble. However, the overwhelming amount of evidence I've found in studies linked through this board and suggested links has really convinced me that there is more to it than "extra water" in the food.

After 3 solid hours of research thanks to the helpful info on this board, I think we may add to the temporary upheaval of establishing a new medical routine by replacing our vet. I'm concerned that anyone who dismisses anything but their own profitable information 5 minutes into a conversation may not have my cat's best interests at heart.

My current plan is to purchase a home testing kit after work today and keep Snickers on her current diet/insulin plan until I'm confident in my ability to get an accurate reading. I want to have 3-4 successful days under my belt before adjusting her food and altering her blood sugar level. My concern is that if I don't learn how to do a reading properly, I would be basing her insulin dosage off of inaccurate numbers and create a health threat. Once I have the testing down pat, then I plan to switch her to canned food and begin monitoring the subsequent changes to her blood sugar, dosing accordingly.

In a related topic, I called my fiance at lunch to explain all of this and he did NOT think I was crazy and suggested we go right away to pick up the monitor. I think I picked a good one

The paw was highly unreliable in my opinion and when you get the hang the ears very simple. My cats right ear tended to bleed more easily so used that.

When I started the canned thing to keep in mind is NOT TO FREAK if it goes low offer wet don't start putting the icing/sugar into the cat to early-ben hit 39 3 times. and for some reason never lower. I have a great vet whos interested in learning and if we can get the cat off insulin great but shes never pushed her way or "my" way. I think I would look into a new vet or at least a consult by phone with someone experienced if need be. I didn't tell mine until some time off insulin. Good luck to you

Also, paws are in dirty litter. IMO it could lead to an infection in the paw to test there. Oh goodness, yes. Look for a new vet.

Oh and you sure did pick a good one!!

To those members who pointed us to http://Yourdiabeticcat.com
a big THANK YOU.

It's sad to realize that some of the diseases our cats (our pets) now have are "man-made" diseases.

The good news is that there's a strong possibility of being able to "cure" the disease with a proper diet.

I'm interested in preventing disease - so any website that provides information like this is so helpful and maybe I'll be able to keep my cats from suffering with the "man-made" diseases. Thanks for the "referral"!

Oh, just found this food resource - like the way she writes, too - just passing it along: http://www.felinespride.com/aboutus/mission.aspx

My now 15 year old cat was diagnosed with diabetes about 2 years ago. Vet put her on glipizide oral medication and told me to put her on the "catkins" diet = high protein / low carbs. She also needed to lose weight. On my own I decided that four small meals a day would be better than morning / evening feeding. I'd shove the pill into a small amount of her wet food. Mist would gobble it down and look around, whereupon I'd give her the rest of her food.

Mist is now doing so well that she is off all medication. She weighs a svelte 8.2 pounds. Her glucose levels are fine. She is probably drinking somewhat more than might another cat, and as a consequence urinates somewhat more also. Let me hasten to add that she's not hovering over the water bowl nor is her litter pan afloat.

One thing that I found useful was to chart her water intake. Each morning I'd use a measuring cup to measure how much was in her water bowl. Write it down. Refill the water bowl with a measured amount of water. Just to see what her rate of consumption might be on any given day. I don't feel that is necessary now.

Good luck with your search for a new vet. I feel very fortunate that Mist and I have a good one.