Know what local prescription laws are with regards to obtaining insulin and syringes, International and a State by State listing for the US.

Glucometers
 

Some examples of brands available are: One Touch and Freestyle
Prices range from €10 to €30 in pharmacies.
Test Strips average between €50-€65 for 50 in pharmacies. Hulpmiddelendirect  sells them at almost half the price.

Boeren Medical is another website for cheap glucometers (6,95) and cheap strips (half prices):


INSULINS and GETTING PZI
 

Most vets in European countries are on the “feed Dry Hills and use Caninsulin” plan of treatment. It is very difficult to find a vet who is willing to prescribe another type of insulin.
 

Europaplein Dierenkliniek will dispense Lantus but they are expensive.
 

Dr.Tannetje Koning (holistic veterinarian) is the greatest hope for treating cats with diabetes (and other chronic symptoms) in the Netherlands. After having little success with regular diabetic protocols, she became very interested in the Tight Regulation approach to diabetes. She has now published a book on diets for carnivorous pets strongly supporting low-to-no carb wet/raw diets and home testing. Please contact Dr Koning regarding the dispensing of PZI or Lantus or Levemir. Her practice is located in Otterlo (Gelderland), however on Mondays she consults at Zoo-Natuurlijk in Amsterdam (Rivierenbuurt). She also consults in Zeewolde (Flevoland). Her website link: www.holistischedierenartsen.nl

While UK online pharmacies can ship PZI outside the UK without a prescription, they are likely to refuse, stating that they cannot ensure safe delivery of the insulin.



FOOD for cats in the Netherlands and Flemish Belgium.
 

Tinned food ingredients can change repeatedly so always check ingredients! It is always best to use the Carb Calculator Tool  to test the protein and carbohydrate content first.


FELIX IN GELEI (PURINA) (9.7%)
This comes in a 410g tin. It is cheap and it is readily available. Only the flavours duck and poultry, beef and liver do not contain grains. Although the Tuna in Tomato Jelly has the same figures, it lists sugar as an ingredient and so has not been considered safe.
The other flavours contain grains and are also not considered safe.

GOURMET GOLD FIJNE MOUSSE (PURINA) (carbs = 8.2%)
This is like the Americans Fancy Feast. Feast. It comes in an 85g tin. Of all the varieties, only the FIJNE MOUSSE has no grains added and is thus the only suitable option for diabetic cats. The other types of Gourmet Gold (e.g. geroosterde stukjes) have inappropriate carbohydrate levels because they contain grains and/or sugars. The  kip (yellow), tonijn (light blue), kalkoen  (orange), zalm (salmon), rundvlees (pink) sold loosely (smaller shops may only have rundvlees & kalkoen) However the boxes of 8 (2
each of beef, turkey, liver, tuna) and 8 (2 each of salmon, rabbit, kidneys and chicken) work out to be a lot cheaper per tin, about 30%. For those transitioning to raw, he suggests this product as it mixes easily with the raw foods.

ANIMONDA CARY FLEISCH MENU
This German product is not found in supermarkets, only at some of the better pet supply stores. It is the tinned food that seems to have the best quality ingredients (though not all cats eat all flavours) and does not make the litter box stink like other brands.

Feeding a raw food diet to pets in the Netherlands is gaining more attention. Forums like www.barfplaats.nl will provide local knowledge There are many shops selling proper products such as frozen food, treats and will be willing to give advice. They also have other products, such as heart and dried meat for chewing, whole prey, chicken necks etc. Two such shops in the Amsterdam area are:
Zoo-Natuurlijk (Rivierenbuurt)
De Vergulde Hond (De Pijp)

CARNIBEST
Carnibest FD Cat (carbs = 0%)
Carnibest Duck (carbs = 3%)(intended for diabetic dogs but suitable for cats too)
This food as a complete and healthy diet for animals. The website also gives good nutritional information for cats and dogs and lists locations as to where to buy their food. The food comes in packages of 250g, 500g and 1kg and is a complete meal for cats.

BANDIT raw food

Bandit raw food has an EKO mark which means it is organic and is particularly good for weaker cats. The product for cats with diabetes & kidney problems contains very small amounts vegetables (4%) but no grains and this food is a good option. The food comes in 500g tubs. Bandit also sells Wild Salmon oil. Mixing a little of this oil with the non-organic options will improve the cat’s condition.
 

HAAKS BARF
None of the HAAKS BARF products contain vegetable or grain material, however they also contain no additives: the product consists only of ground up muscles, organs and bones and it is suggested to mix different flavours so that there is a variety of different proteins. The rabbit seems to be the flavour that is most easily accepted by (difficult) cats. The food comes in tubes of 250g, 500g and 1kg.

INSTICTS TC

This additive means it is possible to make a good home-made raw food without bones. This is the product that books most success with fussy cats. It is the most expensive option. It is shipped to the Netherlands from Germany
www.tatzenladen.de

* Please note that frozen foods for ferrets contain more muscle meat and less organ meat than the cat options.
* Chicken liver from supermarkets is not recommended; organic supermarkets can order it for you



THANKS to Glenn and Alex, Orlando, and Byron for all their help with this!
Updated 4/09