Dear Jen: Did your friend get a definitive diagnosis yet as to whether or not her cat Claudia has diabetes? I think the only way to positively diagnose this is through urine and blood testing...I'm sure the vet will probably have already told her this.
I say this because I had a geriatric kitty who was tentatively diagnosed as borderline diabetic last December on the basis of a packet of test confetti put in the litterbox which changes color depending on the amount of glucose that is present in the urine. At the time, I did not have money to do a bloodtest on Caramel but since his condition was deemed "borderline" went ahead with dietary modifications and an enzyme supplement to support pancreatic function. The product prescribed by the vet was called Vio Kase-V and I was able to find a comparable product available w/o prescription from KV Vet Supply, Bio Case-V, for a bit less. Just thought I'd pass that on in case that is part of Claudia's regimen. That and a low-carb, high protein diet were all that the vet recommended for Caramel. But high urine output, elevated thirst and significant weight loss are also symptoms for other problems, namely kidney failure and hyperthyroidism. And of course if CRF is part of the problem, a high protein diet will only aggravate that condition, so it really is important to find out for sure what you are dealing with. When I finally took Caramel to get a blood test done in Feb. '04, a urine sample taken that day did not show glucose in his urine, yet the test confetti had. In Caramel's case a blood test was never done -- (some of you may remember my story about the Vet from Hell that determined after a very brief physical exam and stabbing him directly in the bladder for a urine sample, that Caramel was not diabetic...she decided he must be severely hyperthyroid and should be immediately euthanized, and, when I contacted an animal communicator to ask Caramel how he felt about the situation and he told me he wanted me to take him home, this vet threatened to call Animal Control and file a cruelty complaint and have him seized for euthanasia...I am still dealing with the fallout from that dreadful situation!) -- I would advise your friend to have both tests done to be sure that what Claudia has is truly diabetes. In its milder forms, diabetes can be managed with dietary changes and supplements such as enzymes to support pancreatic function. In its severe form, insulin injections are required just as with people who have a significant diabetic condition. I did not have a chance to know for sure just what Caramel's problem was or do any further treatment, so I don't have any experience with insulin treatment that I can share. Jo (Mama Kitty) sent a post about an online support group for people who have diabetic cats and I imagine its members can offer a wealth of info and support. It is a manageable condtion, especially since Claudia is not FeLV+ with that to complicate matters. Your friend might also try contacting Holisticat.com which has members who are very helpful where alternatiave therapies and dietary modifications are concerned. Sally in San Jose
