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Please only informed opinions about my diabetic cat — could you, please?
Question : Please only informed opinions about my diabetic cat — could you, please?
I have a 7-year-old Bengal who has chronic herpes virus in his eyes and respiratory system that he picked up when he was seriously ill as a kitten. He’s managed to go along fairly happily all his life with good care. In January, he was diagnosed as diabetic, and he is getting 1.5 units of vetsulin twice daily and a diabetic (high protein with fiber added) diet. His blood glucose tests are good. This is a cat that has weighed 18 pounds when he was a little overweight, and he is now down to 12 pounds (very bony looking). He constantly begs for food, but then will eat only a few bites. He doesn’t much like the diet dry food (combination of Purina DM and Purina high-fiber), but will try to steal my rescued kitten’s kitten chow (but even that, he’ll only snack at if he manages to get some). He has very loose stools (this is what the additional fiber was supposed to help with), and I haven’t been able to put any weight on him, even with giving him a tablespoon of high protein canned food he likes several times a day. I would really appreciate any serious advice. PLEASE don’t tell me to take him to the vet. He has been to the vet too much (and she is a very good vet). Short of having him undergo major expensive tests like full body scans, they can’t think of anything else.
Thanks JC! Some detail: This is an indoors only cat all his life, so parasites are not likely, and yes, he does get lysine for his herpes, although I’ve cut down right now because lysine can cause loose bowels. Except for the diarrhea and weight loss, he appears very normal as far as coat and behavior. In fact, he just came into my computer room to be petted, followed by the kitten. I also have two other rescued cats, too many, but they all love each other, and this is a big house.
diabetic diet system
Best answer:
Answer by Intrigued
I had a diabetic cat that lived to a ripe old age. The only thing I can suggest (short of calling vet) is to leave dry food out for him to snack on throughout the day and then a dinner of wet food once a day. They have those pet bowls with the silo containers. As the bowl empties, it replenishes itself. Also have lots of water available. I keep decorative bowls on tables throughout the house. They look like part of the decor, but my pets have access to water no matter what room they’re in.
I’m sorry for your problems with your diabetic cat. I have a little experience . I had a cat that became diabetic due to developing Cushing’s disease. He was a Himalayan & lost a lot of muscle but became enlarged & kind of squishy feeling in his stomach area – also his attitude changed – he was cranky & depressed acting – didn’t want to play, be petted etc, which wasn’t like him. Also, his his tail fur became greasy. My regular vet wasn’t finding anything wrong, so I took him to another vet who found that his adrenal glands had calcified, a situation usually due to a pituitary tumor. I’m not saying that is what’s wrong with your cat. My point is that even though your vet is good, as mine was, another vet might find the problem. It might help to switch to another brand of a food appropriate for him, but as he had the diarrhea before, it seems likely to me that it is something else. I’ve done a lot of animal rescue & have found that vets often miss parasites & worms in fecal exams. My cats all live inside totally, but some were rescues & the cat I mention above came from a breeder, but still, they can pick up parasites. Ask for a giardia test too, as that isn’t part of the usual fecal exam & giardia is found in water. Don’t know if this will help, but hope you find the source of your kittie’s diarrhea & I wish you the best with treating his diabetes – it’s not always easy, for the cat or his person. I’m suggesting the fecal exams first as they aren’t that expensive, but vets can very often miss things in fecal exams. Also, don’t know if you are doing this, but a little lysine can help with the herpes. You can buy it in a flavored paste or in capsules holding powdered lysine that can be sprinkled over the cat’s food. I’d opt for the flavored paste if you can find it, some cats don’t like the flavor of the powder, but many don’t even seem to notice it. A vet could advise the amount to give or you might find info on how much lysine to give online. Thanks for helping the rescue kitty – you have a kind heart.