12 year old diabetic cat

[Nyladydeb]

My American short hair cat has been a diabetic for two years.  Our vet prescribed purina dm wet and dry formulas.  Also, Oreo is on novolin 3/4 unit twice a day.  He's 14 lbs, at diagnosis 17 lbs.  Oreo eats very little wet food, never liked the taste.  After doing some research, I discovered that some of the Fancy Feast classics are close to the same percentage of protein (some more) as the purina dm and they are low in carbs. For several days now, Oreo has been on the Fancy Feast, seems to like the flavor and is doing well.

I'm just concerned because I asked my vet if there was any over the counter wet pet food high in protein and low in carbs and she told new no.

Based on above info, do you think it's okay to continue with fancy feast classic? I feel like I should look for a new vet.

Thank you!

[Piparskeggr]

see new post about Hildie

[Nyladydeb]

Thank you.  I did read the site.  
I posted a new entry this morning about Oreo and vomiting.  I hope I get some answers soon.  Think I need to talk to a vet online.  You know the deal, our pets are our children and we want the best for them.

[opus88]

I hope you do read and study Dr. Piersons site.....I said earlier I was not familiar with purina DM, I will copy and paste what Dr. Pierson has to say abt this brand....please read her site

quote:

There is nothing magical about the veterinarian-prescribed diabetes-management diets.  In fact, several of them such as Hill's m/d and w/d (dry and canned), Purina DM dry, and Royal Canin DS (dry) are far too high in carbohydrates making them very inappropriate choices for all cats but especially diabetic patients.  Purina DM canned is sufficiently low in carbohydrates (~7%) but it is expensive and it is predominantly liver which should not make up the bulk of a cat's diet.  There is absolutely no reason to spend money on this product.  

[opus88]

yes please do check out that very informative site....this Dr. Pierson gives really indepth info also instructions on how to do home blood glucose monitoring...anyone with a diabetic cat needs this as their bible:))

Pip....I just re-read Dr. Piersons site...and she has it written right there that a low carb diet has reduced or eliminated the need for insulin...I will copy some of the studies she has quotes...great job papa cat!!!

quote:

Here are some quotes from recent studies regarding feline diabetes and how a proper diet impacts the insulin needs of cats:

    The Carnivore Connection to Nutrition in Cats, Dr. Debra Zoran:

High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets and low-fiber diets are highly beneficial in the management of cats with diabetes, resulting in a reduction of > 50% in the amount of insulin required in 8 of 9 cats in one study. In another study, complete cessation of insulin administration was reported for one-third of the cats.

    Update on Feline Diabetes Mellitus, Dr. Claudia Reusch (WSAVA 2006):

In previous years, when we did not limit the type of food our remission rate was 15%-25%. We were able to increase the remission rate to 50-70% by using a low-carbohydrate high-protein diet.  (Remission refers to no further need for insulin.)

    Antech Diagnostic News, December 2003:

In one study, 68% of cats with diabetes mellitus fed a carbohydrate-restricted canned diet lost the need for exogeneous insulin.

[Nyladydeb]

Many thanks for the website and your remarks.  Will check it out!

[opus88]

that interesting Pip, I wasn't aware that was a possibility for diabetes to reverse itself....

Nyladydeb I wanted to include a site on diabetes from a Vet nutritionist....it is very informative..

http://www.catinfo.org/?link=felinediabetes

[Piparskeggr]

BTW, Hildie is a little over 12, will be 13 in September.

[Piparskeggr]

Our Hildiekatt was diagnosed with diabetes a little over 2 years ago.

Through getting her to eat less grain filled kibble and more lower carb wet food, she has dropped 5 - 6 pounds and it looks like she has gone into remission.

She was at 3 units twice a day of Prozinc when we started and was down to 1 unit twice a day when he vet said 2 weeks ago to see how she is without insulin.

I'm given to understand that kitties are one of the very few species that can heal from diabetes.

We hope this is so.

[opus88]

Good for you for doing your homework!!!!!
I am not real familiar with the DM food however purina itself does not have a good reputation....and ur so right the fancy feast classic PATE varieties aren't such a bad food at all...as long as u stay away from the ones with gravy, they are very high in carbs.

If Oreo will eat it that's a huge bonus, for diabetic cats I would stay strictly on the FF an NO dry at all.

I wouldn't change Vets, they are mostly all very limited in what they know abt nutrition....they believe what they are told by the sales ppl of the high priced brands they carry.

Good luck, welcome to our forum..