Diabetic shots for an old cat w/ kidney trouble

[MJIthewriter]

In this last year, our cat Waldo has fallen apart. We are treating him for hyperthyroidism for about a year now.  Recently his kidneys have started to give way.  I switched his diet to something for kidney health.  He was still not improving, so we scheduled another appointment earlier than the three months they advised to check his levels.

Now he's developed diabetes. His other levels seem to be stable. We're given two options on what type of shots we want to give him. One is designed for cats, but costs a lot more. The other is designed for human but can be used on cats.  I'm not sure what option would be better.  I'm also left with a decision, if this doesn't work how long I should give it before deciding to let him go.

[MJIthewriter]

Anyways an update:  The vet said the new test, his levels were where they wanted, so we are to keep him at five units and then come back in two weeks for another test.

[MJIthewriter]

The vet never specifically told us how much to feed Waldo. I've been going by what his old vet, the one supposedly his previous owners took him to. They told me he was overweight and to give him only half a cup a day.

That was some years ago, but until this last few weeks he seemed to maintain his weight at that amount so we kept him on that diet, except the extra my grandma gave at night.  Even so his weight stayed about the same. We have to divide his feeding and give it to him in set amounts. Unfortunately if we try to free feed him, he will have it all in one meal. As far as whether we should feed him dry food at all, the vet hasn't told us.  I remember with Sahib, they told us not to give him dry food and gave him a special diet. Unfortunately he didn't live long enough to see if it would have helped.

[Maddie6]

I'm Glad the retest went better for Waldo. I've been thinking about you.   I agree with Zodiacqueen; it's hard to reason why some cats develop diabetes.  Maggie was 11 years old when she developed diabetes.  My Rainbow Kitty was 16 and overweight but never developed diabetes or kidney disease.  He passed away from intestinal lymphoma.  I'm wondering, too, about the dry food with Waldo?  Hang in there MJthewriter and Waldo and keep us posted.  He is one lucky kitty to have you taking care of him.

[zodiacqueen]

MJ, glad ya got your kitty back!  

Anyway, Wellness Core is supposed to be an awesome brand.  I don't think the Wellness caused Waldo's kidney or diabetes issues.  I really don't.  I think that diabetes just develops in some cats, and it can cause kidney problems......but, w/ age many cats develop kidney disease too.

BTW, did your vet tell you specifically to give Waldo 1/2 cup of day of dry food?  

[MJIthewriter]

The vet seems to think the kidney diet is the way to go.  For the other cat we are giving her blue buffalo adult food.  I would set the feeder out for both cats if I knew it would help, but I am not sure.  Before Waldo had kidney issues I had him on wellness core, which is supposed to be high protein.  He didn't have the kidney issue before or diabetes. I wouldn't know if the wellness diet or his age was a factor. I don't know what led up to his diabetes. It seemed to develop suddenly, right after switching over to the kidney health diet.

Anyways the retest was better. They saw a difference and have us up to five units twice a day.  I wish I would have gotten his levels, but I was distracted, because our new cat got out while I was away. I thought she was gone, but she did come back eventually.  I'm going to have to get her a collar, rabies shot and an id tag or something... I found out from the neighbors it appears the stray who adopted us has been straying around for some time and it appears she has no intent to stop...

[zodiacqueen]

I'm sorry to hear that the curve test didn't go well!  I know you're disappointed....I am disappointed, too.  =(

If I were you, I would make absolutely sure that I were following the vet's instructions to a "T".  I would also make sure he's on the right diet w/ the right amounts of food.  I am also curious about Waldo's kidney diet.  I think they're made w/ low proteins.  So, that being the case, then the diet would be very high in carbs and fat.  Carbs are what needs to be controlled w/ the insulin.  I'm wondering if that diet would make his sugar harder to control, and I'd be interested to know whether a diet w/ very high quality protein would actually be better for him.  When you have a diet w/ high quality protein in it, the kidneys don't have to do as much work to get rid of the wastes in the blood.

Ask your vet about diet, and let me know what he says.

Hang in there, MJ.  You'll get Waldo straightened out soon!!!!