My cat has diabetes and I cant afford the shots. Can I just change his diet. I don't want him to die!!!?

Answer 1

Please talk to the vet and explain your situation. They might have some ideas or resources that can help you. Our cat was diagnosed the past May and we changed his diet and did the insulin shots (a vial of insulin with 100 syringes was about 50 dollars at Walmart). I took him in weekly to get his insulin checked (about 20 dollars per week). Based on test results, we were able to reduces the insulin and eventually stop it all together. Now we just use the diabetes cat food from the vet and certain Fancy Feast varieties (see http://www.felinediabetes.com/glutenfree.htm). Good luck!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

You're in luck, there are several VERY good diabetic cat owners lists on YahooGroups, go over and sign up with them. The best diet is usually a canned one, it should be HIGH protein and LOW fat, LOW carb. There's a good online list that compares canned and dry foods for diabetic cats -- just google 'janet and binky's list' and you should find it quickly. We fed ours Royal Canin Siamese 38 dry food, Fancy Feast 'feasts' with NO gravy, which are good, and 9-Lives Super Supper (it has only 6 grams of carbs per can). He did real well on that. The prescription dry food available is the Purina Diabetic Management (ours got a very dry coat while on that one though) and Royal Canin Diabetic Management (which is good, but ours had a food allergy issue with something in it so we put him back on the RC Siamese 38). Make very sure your cat eats at least 2 tablespoons of food within a 1/2 hour BEFORE you give the insulin shot. The cat HAS to eat or you get severe problems--there needs to be food in their stomach for the insulin to work properly.

Answer 4

No you can't just change his diet if he needs insulin shots. Insulin does not come in a pill form. Insulin is needed to help glucose get into cells for energy, if there is no insulin the glucose can't get into the cells for energy...hence the reason someone who is diabetic has high blood sugar... I'm sure it is the same with a cat. Is the cat constantly hungry? With diabetes they literally can starve to death while eating constantly because the cells are robbed of energy due to lack of insulin...eventually the body digests itself by using protein and fat for fuel...can cause all kinds of additional problems like dehydration, kidney failure, etc. Try some local no kill shelters they may be able to assist you. If not, I'd try to find a home for the cat where they can afford the shots.

Answer 5

Hasn't your Vet discussed this with you?
A truly good Vet would either discuss such options with you, or give you information about it, or at least the name of a book or website where you can get information. One who simply relies on the pharmaceutical industry's answers is simply a pawn of theirs.

I suggest that you do an Internet search on:

Natural Treatment Cat Diabetes;
Diabetes Natural Treatment Cat;
Naturopathic Veterinarian Online Advice;
Diabetic Cat Diet; etc ...
(I doubt you'll even need to use all 4 of these).
Check out the listings. I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for.

Personally, what first comes to my mind is SPIRULINA ...
It has NO carbs, & has just about all other nutrients.\It is a whole food, an algae. It is reported to help keep blood sugar levels even. My spouse & I take it. We aren't as hungry nearly as fast as when we forget to take it! I think that has to do with blood sugar being kept level. There is an entire ebook called Chlorella & Spirulina that has a great deal of info about Spirulina. Other sites have info also. You might want to research Spirulina as well. (The only thing I don't like about it is that it's high in phosphorus.) Your kitty probably wouldn't need much per day, maybe a dose 3 or 4 Xs a day. It's available in tablet, flake, or powder. Check which is cheapest by comparing cost per identical dose of each. Always buy organic Spirulina, as it's a virtual magnet for toxins from its environment!

I also suggest you read the following series of articles. I know what you're feeling, as my dear cat-friend's kidneys stopped working after years of being together, and I had to make a very tough decision, as I had no income at the time. I'm glad to have learned the following, which has helped me be balanced in my feelings toward animals ...

Pets--How Do You View Them? :
~ Animals--A Gift From God
~ Pets--Keeping a Balanced View of Them
~ Animals--A Pleasure Forever!
http://watchtower.org/library/g/2004/2/22a/article_01.htm

Humans---Just Higher Animals? :
- Who Are We?
- - - What Is the Purpose of Life?
- - What We Believe Makes a Difference
- In the Image of God or Beast?
- - - Where We Differ From Animals
- - - A Gulf Too Wide to Bridge?
- - - A Shaky Theory
- - - Woeful Consequences
- - - Worship the Creation or the Creator?
- Looking Up, Not Down for Answers
- - - Animal Genes or Flawed Genes?
- - - Why We Don't Want to Die
- - - Made to Live Forever
- - - A New World Based on Love
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/1998/6/22/article_02.htm

These ^ Webpage addresses will likely change soon after which the Advanced Search at http://watchtower.org/search/search_e.htm will find their new URLs.

Answer 6

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
My cat has diabetes and I cant afford the shots. Can I just change his diet. I don't want him to die!!!?

Answer 7

I would also check into your local humane society for medications. Some places will help out people that can't afford to pay Vet prices. I would also search the internet for cheaper medications too. Sometimes you can find a vet supply catalog or try a local feed store they sometimes carry those kinds off things. You will just have to give the shots yourself if you don't do that already

Answer 8

Since most animals are in the mammal family, I think that your cat will probably need the shots, just like a human would need some sort of medication if they have diabetes. You should definitely consult your veterinarian before making any changes, and find some way to pay for those shots.

Answer 9

Talk to your vet. They can sometimes recommend a way to get the meds cheaper. The vet can at least tell you whether or not your cat's diabetes can be controlled by diet. We have no idea how bad it is, but your vet does.

Answer 10

Ask your veterinarian what other options are available. There probably is a prescription diet for diabetic cats, however, I'm not sure how much it would help. Ask your vet.