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Ping Phil - Diabetes Question
I don't know if you remember, but about 6 months ago I decided to switch my
cats to an all canned food diet (they were on a canned food diet, but had some dry Science Diet to snack on). I was worried about struvite crystals in my boys (this is the first time I've had boy cats). This worked out OK until they started losing WAY too much weight (especially the smaller cats) - even though they would leave quite a bit of left overs. I started giving them the SD dry again (about 1 cup for all 5 cats) and their weight loss stopped and they have gained back most of what they lost, so all are at their ideal weights, or a little less, right now. Lately, though, Sammy has been worrying me because she is drinking lots and lots of water and I'm worried about diabetes. She doesn't have any other signs of diabetes (inappropriate elimination, change in appetite, change in gait, decreased activity, weakness, depression, or vomiting - she did lose weight, but that was because of the change in diet). Questions.... Do you think this food switch could trigger diabetes? Is just that small amount of dry food enough to make her drink tons of water (I don't remember her drinking this much last time she had dry food in her diet)? I've read online that laboratory tests for diabetes are not conclusive because other problems show the same results - what tests should I ask a vet to run? Do you think switching back to all canned would help? If so, how can I keep the cats from losing a dangerous amount of weight again? Thanks, Phil, for any help you can give me. -- Hugs, CatNipped See all my masters he http://www.PossiblePlaces.com/CatNipped/ |
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Ping Phil - Diabetes Question
"CatNipped" wrote in message ... I don't know if you remember, but about 6 months ago I decided to switch my cats to an all canned food diet (they were on a canned food diet, but had some dry Science Diet to snack on). I was worried about struvite crystals in my boys (this is the first time I've had boy cats). This worked out OK until they started losing WAY too much weight (especially the smaller cats) - even though they would leave quite a bit of left overs. I started giving them the SD dry again (about 1 cup for all 5 cats) and their weight loss stopped and they have gained back most of what they lost, so all are at their ideal weights, or a little less, right now. It sounds to me like you were not feeding them enough of the canned food. |
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Ping Phil - Diabetes Question
"cybercat" wrote in message
. com... "CatNipped" wrote in message ... I don't know if you remember, but about 6 months ago I decided to switch my cats to an all canned food diet (they were on a canned food diet, but had some dry Science Diet to snack on). I was worried about struvite crystals in my boys (this is the first time I've had boy cats). This worked out OK until they started losing WAY too much weight (especially the smaller cats) - even though they would leave quite a bit of left overs. I started giving them the SD dry again (about 1 cup for all 5 cats) and their weight loss stopped and they have gained back most of what they lost, so all are at their ideal weights, or a little less, right now. It sounds to me like you were not feeding them enough of the canned food. I don't think so - they weren't eating all of it, there was always left-overs. They may not have been eating as much as they should have, but I think I was feeding them enough. the little bit of dry food, added to the canned, has helped them regain the weight they lost. However, I have something else to worry about. Ben came home and found Hunter, the cat we found and brought in from outside about 3 months ago, dead on the bathroom floor. He wasn't in physical contact with our other cats (he was still "quarantined" in his own section of the house since he wasn't due for his "final" FIV/FeLV test until the 31st), but I'm still worried that he had an airborne virus that could have been transmitted to our other cats (this is only a remote possibility, but I still worry - it's my nature). We just got finished, a few minutes ago, burying him. We couldn't afford a necropsy, and it wouldn't really make a difference except to let us know for sure how he died, but we think it may have been heart problems since he was such a young cat and he had no other symptoms up until the time he died. He "coughed" when he got excited or upset, but we thought he was trying to cough up a hairball (heart problems didn't enter our minds since he seemed very hale and hearty and played boisterously). My friend, who's a nurse, says it sounds like he may have "thrown an embolism" - and died when the blood clot got to his lungs. He did have a bit of blood next to his mouth when Ben found him. When we first brought him in he was tested for FIV/FeLV (he was negative) and had a thorough physical exam along with a feline distemper shot, rabies shot and worming, and he was pronounced healthy. We then had him neutered and he did just fine through that - healed up very nicely. Then we brought him back for his follow-up visit (second feline distemper shot and worming) and the vet didn't find anything wrong then either. I'm just really devastated about this, he was such a sweet tempered and gentle cat and he died WAY too young, his life was just really starting. The most comfort I can take from this is that 3 months ago he was on the street and starving, and when he died today at least he was in a safe home and well fed and loved. Hugs, CatNipped |
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Ping Phil - Diabetes Question
Response to "CatNipped" :
I'm just really devastated about this, he was such a sweet tempered and gentle cat and he died WAY too young, his life was just really starting. The most comfort I can take from this is that 3 months ago he was on the street and starving, and when he died today at least he was in a safe home and well fed and loved. Sorry, kiddo. I'm sure he was much better off having known you (and your hubby). -- -Lost Remove the extra words to reply by e-mail. Don't e-mail me. I am kidding. No I am not. |
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Ping Phil - Diabetes Question
"CatNipped" wrote It sounds to me like you were not feeding them enough of the canned food. I don't think so - they weren't eating all of it, there was always left-overs. Then I'm wrong. Unless something was affecting their appetites? They may not have been eating as much as they should have, but I think I was feeding them enough. the little bit of dry food, added to the canned, has helped them regain the weight they lost. I feel my cats both, because if I don't, Gracie won't stay above 7 lbs. However, I have something else to worry about. Ben came home and found Hunter, the cat we found and brought in from outside about 3 months ago, dead on the bathroom floor. He wasn't in physical contact with our other cats (he was still "quarantined" in his own section of the house since he wasn't due for his "final" FIV/FeLV test until the 31st), but I'm still worried that he had an airborne virus that could have been transmitted to our other cats (this is only a remote possibility, but I still worry - it's my nature). You were so smart to keep him quarantined. I would worry too. We just got finished, a few minutes ago, burying him. We couldn't afford a necropsy, and it wouldn't really make a difference except to let us know for sure how he died, but we think it may have been heart problems since he was such a young cat and he had no other symptoms up until the time he died. He "coughed" when he got excited or upset, but we thought he was trying to cough up a hairball (heart problems didn't enter our minds since he seemed very hale and hearty and played boisterously). My friend, who's a nurse, says it sounds like he may have "thrown an embolism" - and died when the blood clot got to his lungs. He did have a bit of blood next to his mouth when Ben found him. When we first brought him in he was tested for FIV/FeLV (he was negative) and had a thorough physical exam along with a feline distemper shot, rabies shot and worming, and he was pronounced healthy. We then had him neutered and he did just fine through that - healed up very nicely. Then we brought him back for his follow-up visit (second feline distemper shot and worming) and the vet didn't find anything wrong then either. I'm just really devastated about this, he was such a sweet tempered and gentle cat and he died WAY too young, his life was just really starting. The most comfort I can take from this is that 3 months ago he was on the street and starving, and when he died today at least he was in a safe home and well fed and loved. I'm so sorry, Lori. I know it must be heartbreaking. Hope the other kids are okay. |
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Ping Phil - Diabetes Question
"CatNipped" wrote in message ... I don't know if you remember, but about 6 months ago I decided to switch my cats to an all canned food diet (they were on a canned food diet, but had some dry Science Diet to snack on). I was worried about struvite crystals in my boys (this is the first time I've had boy cats). This worked out OK until they started losing WAY too much weight (especially the smaller cats) - even though they would leave quite a bit of left overs. I started giving them the SD dry again (about 1 cup for all 5 cats) and their weight loss stopped and they have gained back most of what they lost, so all are at their ideal weights, or a little less, right now. How are you determining their ideal weight? Personal opinion or a Body Condition Scoring chart? http://maxshouse.com/nutrition/Body_...stem-Chart.jpg Lately, though, Sammy has been worrying me because she is drinking lots and lots of water and I'm worried about diabetes. She doesn't have any other signs of diabetes (inappropriate elimination, change in appetite, change in gait, decreased activity, weakness, depression, or vomiting - she did lose weight, but that was because of the change in diet). Questions.... Do you think this food switch could trigger diabetes? Not unless the cat has some islet pathology and is predisposed to diabetes. Is just that small amount of dry food enough to make her drink tons of water (I don't remember her drinking this much last time she had dry food in her diet)? I've read online that laboratory tests for diabetes are not conclusive because other problems show the same results - what tests should I ask a vet to run? A routine serum chemistry and complete blood count should be sufficient. You could also ask your vet about serum fructosamine + glycosylated hemoglobin assays. These assays show glycemic control over the past few weeks to months. Do you think switching back to all canned would help? If so, how can I keep the cats from losing a dangerous amount of weight again? Thanks, Phil, for any help you can give me. Lori, because so many cats are overweight, cats that are at their ideal weight (5 on 9 step BCS) look underweight. Some vets even make this mistake because they see so many overweight cats. I don't want to make any suggestions because I'm not sure if your cats actually became underweight from canned food or if it just seemed that way to you. I will say this, though: if the cats weren't eating about 20 kcals/pound of bodyweight, they weren't eating enough and that you should try to find a food that they like enough to meet their daily energy requirement. Phil |
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Ping Phil - Diabetes Question
I don't want to make any suggestions because I'm not sure if your cats actually became underweight from canned food or if it just seemed that way to you. *I will say this, though: if the cats weren't eating about 20 kcals/pound of bodyweight, they weren't eating enough and that you should try to find a food that they like enough to meet their daily energy requirement. Do you weigh your cats at home? I would suggest weighing them before starting canned food, then make sure to feed them each *from separate bowls*. Make note of how much each cat is getting and monitor their weight once per week or so. I say feed separately so you can closely monitor their intake vs. their weight. Yes, this is a lot of extra work, but IMO worth it. If someone if not feeling well and is off their food, you will know immediately (instead of someone else gulping down their food). |
#8
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Ping Phil - Diabetes Question
"Phil P." wrote in message
news:5hHWj.15060$6D1.9949@trndny02... "CatNipped" wrote in message ... I don't know if you remember, but about 6 months ago I decided to switch my cats to an all canned food diet (they were on a canned food diet, but had some dry Science Diet to snack on). I was worried about struvite crystals in my boys (this is the first time I've had boy cats). This worked out OK until they started losing WAY too much weight (especially the smaller cats) - even though they would leave quite a bit of left overs. I started giving them the SD dry again (about 1 cup for all 5 cats) and their weight loss stopped and they have gained back most of what they lost, so all are at their ideal weights, or a little less, right now. How are you determining their ideal weight? Personal opinion or a Body Condition Scoring chart? http://maxshouse.com/nutrition/Body_...stem-Chart.jpg The body chart. I am as vigilant about their weight as I am my own, I know that being overweight can cause all kinds of health problems. Jessie at her perfect weight at 7 pounds 12 ounces and went down to 6 pounds 10 ounces. Demi was at her perfect weight at 7 pounds 5 ounces and went down to 6 pounds 7 ounces. Sammy, who I'd wanted to lose one pound, lost two. Even the boys (less than a year old) started losing weight. I was weighing them weekly and kept giving them more and more canned as they lost weight but they didn't eat it. I was hoping I could stop the downward trend, but when their weight got so low that I was worried about their health, I just gave up and added their 1 - 2 cups of dry food in addition to the canned. Lately, though, Sammy has been worrying me because she is drinking lots and lots of water and I'm worried about diabetes. She doesn't have any other signs of diabetes (inappropriate elimination, change in appetite, change in gait, decreased activity, weakness, depression, or vomiting - she did lose weight, but that was because of the change in diet). Questions.... Do you think this food switch could trigger diabetes? Not unless the cat has some islet pathology and is predisposed to diabetes. Ok, that's good to know - she hasn't been displaying any other symptoms and she's as lively as ever (the boys give her a good workout). I think it's probable that she's just a bit thirstier with the addition of dry food to her diet (after meals is when I notice her drinking now where before she didn't drink after meals). Is just that small amount of dry food enough to make her drink tons of water (I don't remember her drinking this much last time she had dry food in her diet)? I've read online that laboratory tests for diabetes are not conclusive because other problems show the same results - what tests should I ask a vet to run? A routine serum chemistry and complete blood count should be sufficient. You could also ask your vet about serum fructosamine + glycosylated hemoglobin assays. These assays show glycemic control over the past few weeks to months. If she shows any other signs of distress I'll take her in immediately and have the tests done, but for now I think she's OK. Do you think switching back to all canned would help? If so, how can I keep the cats from losing a dangerous amount of weight again? Thanks, Phil, for any help you can give me. Lori, because so many cats are overweight, cats that are at their ideal weight (5 on 9 step BCS) look underweight. Some vets even make this mistake because they see so many overweight cats. I don't want to make any suggestions because I'm not sure if your cats actually became underweight from canned food or if it just seemed that way to you. I will say this, though: if the cats weren't eating about 20 kcals/pound of bodyweight, they weren't eating enough and that you should try to find a food that they like enough to meet their daily energy requirement. They really like the Fancy Feast, and it seemed to fill them up since they would leave left-overs, but without the addition of that bit of canned food, they just lose too much weight. They still eat at least 95% canned, but they just seem to need the extra calories from the dry. Hugs, CatNipped Phil |
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