Feline Diabetes Symptoms/Treatment

Diabetic cat foods and proper insulin injections can manage this dea

Aug 6, 2006

Feline diabetes is a common diagnosis in older cats. The definition and treatment for cat diabetes is outlined along with the symptoms.

Diabetes is a common ailment in older cats, it seems to be more common in obese cats. A diagnosis of diabetes sounds scary, it is scary, but it is not a death sentence. Diabetic cats can live for years once their blood sugars are regulated. Don't feel that diabetes equals euthanasia, because it doesn't have to.

What is diabetes? Cells in the pancreas make the hormone insulin, if the cells stop producing enough insulin or if the cells in certain body tissues become resistant to the action of insulin, Diabetes mellitus will be the result. Diabetic animals are unable to control their blood sugar, they have hyperglycemia (blood sugar is to high), hyperglycemia can also be brought on temporarily by stress.

Your veterinarian will be able to do tests to distinguish between stress hyperglycemia and diabetes. The cause of the disease is a mystery but diabetes seems to be more common in neutered male cats and obese cats, also heredity may be a factor.

Symptoms of Diabetes: Symptoms include but are not limited to: Drinking more, urinating more, weight loss, increased appetite, dehydration, plantigrade posture (walking on their hocks), and sudden cataract formation.

If diabetes remains uncontrolled the animal may become ketotic - cells begin to use fat as fuel for energy production, ketone bodies then begin to accumulate in the blood. If your cat is ketotic it may have these additional symptoms: depression, weakness, vomiting, rapid breathing, and the breath may have an odor of acetone to it. If your cat has any of these symptoms see your veterinarian immediately.

Diagnosing Feline Diabetes: Diagnosing diabetes is done through a series of blood tests and urine tests. Your veterinarian will want to check your pets blood sugar, normal levels for a cat will be 80 - 120 mg/dl, a diabetic cats blood sugar will be greater then 200 mg/dl some as high as 600 mg/dl. Your veterinarian will check your cats urine for glucose, a diabetic cat will be spilling glucose into its urine. These tests are necessary to rule out other diseases that have similar symptoms to diabetes.

Treatment for Feline Diabetes: The treatment for diabetes in cats is similar to the treatment for diabetes in humans, through diet and insulin therapy. Your cat will need to be kept on a strict regimen of feedings and insulin injections. Your cat will probably be switched to a diet that is high in fiber and complex carbohydrates, like Science Diet w/d or r/d, your veterinarian will probably recommend a diet to use. This kind of a diet will help avoid elevations of glucose after eating and help with regulation of blood glucose.

Insulin therapy is done through injections that are given under the skin. Insulin needs to be stored in the refrigerator, if exposed to direct sunlight or warm temperatures it can become damaged and ineffective. The insulin should be rolled gently in your hands (never shaken) before each use. Insulin is drawn up in syringes that are made specifically for that type of insulin, generally you draw up more then what is needed and tap the syringe (just like on ER) and expel any air that is in the syringe.

Make sure what is left in the syringe is the exact amount of insulin prescribed with no air. The injection is made under the skin, first tent the skin with one hand then insert the needle horizontally with the other hand making sure the needle does not go through your tent. Push the plunger in and remove the needle. The syringe used for insulin has a small needle, most cats are not bothered by the needle at all.

Change your injection site with each injection. If you give the injection in the same spot your cat may start to build up scar tissue and the insulin will not be properly absorbed by the body. Do not reuse your syringes, you could cause an infection, also do not use syringes that have been washed with cleansers. Your veterinarian will teach you how to give the injections and how to properly handle and store the insulin.

Additional Information: Your cat will need regular blood glucose checks to ensure it is properly regulated. Your pet will need insulin for the rest of its life, sometimes cats will go into remission but will need to continue to be closely monitored at home. This does not mean you do not get to have a life outside of your pets diabetes but you will definitely need a schedule.

It helps if there is only one caretaker per household other wise it may get confusing as to who gave the insulin, also a lot of families mark on a piece of notebook paper or a calendar when they give the injection so they know whether or not they gave it. Sadly this disease is deadly if left untreated.

The copyright of the article Feline Diabetes Symptoms/Treatment in Pet Diseases is owned by Charla Dawson. Permission to republish Feline Diabetes Symptoms/Treatment in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.