Diabetic Overweight Cat

[Shelley]

Zoomer, our 11 year old, very overweight (19 lbs) cat was just diagnosed yesterday with diabetes and a related bladder infection. We have antibiotics to treat the infection, and the vet prescribed a low dose of insulin by injection twice daily (wow, is that stuff expensive!). He also had us buy some weight control canned food (to replace the dry food we were feeding her), and has ordered a diabetic canned food which she will start in a week or so (don’t know the brand yet) to help her lose weight.

Her sister, Splotch, is also about the same size and needs to lose weight too, so I’m switching her to canned food too, either weight control or diabetic variety depending on the vet’s recommendation next week. Are there good brands with high protein, low carbs that you would recommend? Zoomer goes back to the vet next Friday for re-evaluation to see how she’s responding to insulin etc. so will ask more questions then.

I’m hoping for additional ideas about how to support better nutrition for both cats, especially to help Zoomer get the diabetes under control, and maybe eventually eliminate the need for insulin.

Are there herbs that would be safe and helpful to support and regulate blood sugars, and assist with weight loss? If so, how would I use them (infusion, add to food ???) What about supplements?

They both have a lot of dander and susceptibility to fur mats, most likely due to not being able to reach and bathe as well as needed. They both have a very dense undercoat. I brush them and use cat wipes on their fur, but I’m wondering if there’s anything I can supplement their diet with to help with the dander and improve their coats?

Also, is it ok to put the antibiotic drops in a spoon of food? It takes two of us to hold Zoomer down and attempt to squirt the drops into her mouth, and this morning we all ended up wearing them instead.

Thanks so much for any and all suggestions.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

It’s usually very difficult to get herbs into kitties on any kind of long-term basis. They have amazing noses and are quite picky.

Some herbs that can be beneficial for lowering blood sugar are:

Billberry

Gymnema sylvestre

Panax Ginseng

Juniper

Bitter Melon

Fenugreek

Prickly Pear Cactus fruit

These nutrients are also helpful in lowering blood sugar.

Magnesium

Chromium

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

I’ve used the above in some diabetic cases that were not insulin-dependent.

Once they need insulin, insulin is the way to go.

Now that the kitty’s on insulin I wouldn’t recommend the herbs. Talk to your vet about the nutrients though. They can be helpful.

As to the diet, your vet will have some good prescription diets for diabetes and aslo for weight management for the other kitty.

Fish oil can be helpful for the dander/coat issues.

Patrick

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[Shelley]

Thanks for the suggestions, Patrick! We are hoping that the insulin is a temporary measure until she is able to lose some weight, and adjust to a healthier diet. We just found out about the diabetes yesterday, and the Dr. doesn’t think she has had it for too long. He has her a a very low dose, said it was possible that would not be permanent depending on how she responds to weight loss and high protein/low carb food.

Why are herbs contraindicated in conjunction with insulin? I have fenugreek seed and I was thinking I could make a tea or infusion and see if she would drink it. This cat is not picky at all about food and will at least taste almost anything. Is it ok to continue to give her catnip?

I will definitely discuss the nutrients and appropriate foods for both cats at our follow-up appointment next week, and will ask about fish oil too. I used to give Zoomer coconut oil for a treat, maybe a 1/2 tsp. to lick off my finger occasionally. Is this helpful for her coat too?

Thanks again for your scomments. I discovered you on Herb Mentor, and really love your down to earth style and great advice!

[Author]

Posts