How to Manage Diabetic Cats the Revolutionary Way

Dr Elizabeth Hodgkins, D.V.M., Esq, is a dedicated veterinarian.  She has spent years researching on feline diabetes.

Her approach to feline diabetes treatment differs from the conventional method. The protocol she uses is termed “Tight Regulation”. Emphasis is placed on:-

(1) Proper diet

The diet recommended by Dr Hodgkins contains high protein, moderate fat, and ultra low carbohydrate. (Note: Veterinarians have traditionally been using low protein, high-fiber and complex carbohydrates diet for diabetic cats.)

Low-carbohydrate canned or pouched foods are acceptable. Canned foods marked as having low fiber and designated for diabetic cats are also allowed. Fresh, raw or lightly cooked meat diet is perhaps the best as it is more suited to the digestive system of the cat.

Dr Hodgkins has observed that commercial dry cat food is one of the major causes of feline diabetes. Hence, strictly no dry food to be fed to cats, especially the diabetic cat.

A diabetic cat under Dr Hodgkins’ care will be put on strict diet as above. Quite often, newly diagnosed diabetic cats can recover with just a change of diet alone.

(2) Right insulin therapy

For those cats that still need insulin therapy, Protamine zinc insulin, being the most effective for cats, is used. The strategy of the therapy is to lower the blood glucose level of the cat to its normal range of 80-130 mg/dl, and to maintain consistently at that level.

[Note: This is a revolutionary approach to feline diabetes management. Conventional protocols, fearing hypoglycemic seizures in the feline diabetic, always maintain the diabetic cat’s blood sugar above the normal range (greater than 120-150).]

(3) Combination of proper diet and right insulin therapy

Administering proper diet and right insulin therapy to nurse the sick cat back to health.

The objective of this protocol is to restore the diabetic cat’s pancreas to its normal function or at least some of it. The goal is to wean the ailing cat off insulin altogether.

Traditional protocols use fixed dosage of insulin once or twice daily. Blood tests are done periodically at the veterinarian’s clinic.

Under “Tight Regulation”, a blood glucose test at 6-8 hours after each dose is done at home by the cat owner, using a glucometer. If the result shows above normal range (greater than 150 mg/dl), another insulin injection has to be given.

In the initial days of treatment, blood tests are done 3-4 times per day and often followed by insulin injection administration. The dose will depend on the blood glucose reading at each test.

After a short period of few days or weeks, gradual decrease in insulin doses, as well as longer intervals between injections, will occur. Over time, more than 80% of the diabetic cats can most probably be taken off insulin completely.

The extra time and effort spent at the start of the protocol is well repaid when cat owners see their pet cats recovered or in better health condition than before.

Dr Elizabeth Hodgkins has written a book Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life which provides invaluable and detailed knowledge on proper cat care. In addition, the medical issues involving feline diseases like diabetes, herpes virus, lower urinary tract diseases, hyperthyroidism, etc are discussed in details and clarity.

Nowadays, pet cats can be considered a part of the family. To be able to give their pet cats the best care they can afford, cat owners need to equip themselves with the necessary knowledge.

Her book is an indispensable guidebook for all cat owners and cat lovers.