The Pet Health Care Gazette

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine diseases diagnosed in cats, but the symptoms of diabetes can be insidious and difficult to spot for many cat owners. Being aware of the disease and knowing what to watch for is a good first step. Regular veterinary examinations are also helpful in diagnosing feline diabetes in the early stages.

What is Feline Diabetes Mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by an increase in blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels. Blood glucose levels in cats are regulated by insulin. When insulin is produced in abnormally low levels, hyperglycemia (elevated blood glucose levels) result. In addition, cells may be resistant to the effects of insulin which may also lead to hyperglycemia. There are many different disease processes which can cause diabetes mellitus in cats or make a cat more likely to develop diabetes. However, regardless of the cause, the end result is always hyperglycemia, the hallmark feature of feline diabetes.

Symptoms of Feline Diabetes

The most common symptoms seen with feline diabetes are an increase in thirst, an increase in urine production, an increase in appetite and weight loss.

Another symptom sometimes seen in cats with diabetes is a neuropathy which results in a flat-footed stance and abnormal gait. This neurological abnormality results from the nerves being unable to send normal electrical impulses and can affect any limb. However, the back legs are more commonly involved. The neuropathy is reversible for many cats if the blood glucose levels can be controlled adequately.

Urinary tract infections are also commonly diagnosed in diabetic cats and the urine of any cat diagnosed with diabetes should be checked for infection periodically and treated with an appropriate antibiotic if necessary.

Diagnosing Diabetes Mellitus in Cats

Diagnosis of feline diabetes mellitus requires blood testing. Hyperglycemia is always present. Glucosuria (glucose or sugar in the urine) is also a characteristic finding. However, elevated glucose levels can also be caused by other processes. Even the stress caused by the visit to the veterinarian and the blood draw can cause the blood glucose levels to rise to abnormal levels. For this reason, additional testing may be required to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes in a cat. Fructosamine levels are the most commonly used test to confirm a new case of feline diabetes.

Treating Feline Diabetes Mellitus

Though oral hypoglycemic medications are sometimes used successfully, insulin is the recommended method of treatment. If the diabetes is diagnosed early in the course of disease, before persistently high levels of glucose have irretrievably damaged cells within the pancreas, it is possible for a diabetic cat to go into remission at least temporarily.

Insulin injections are usually necessary twice daily.

A proper diet is an essential part of the successful treatment of feline diabetes as well. The recommended diet for a diabetic cat is a high protein, low carbohydrate diet. However, some cats can be extremely finicky eaters and may refuse a new diet. It is important that the cat not stop eating. Cats who refuse to eat for several days risk hepatic lipidosis, a liver disease caused by insufficient nutritional intake. Therefore, in some cases, it may not be possible to feed the preferred diet.

Prognosis for Cats with Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a treatable condition for most cats. However, treatment requires regular care and periodic blood monitoring. Treating a diabetic cat requires a commitment on the part of the pet owner. Cat owners treating a cat with diabetes will need to learn how to administer insulin injections and may even need to learn how to test blood glucose levels at home. Insulin injections need to be given following a relatively strict schedule. Periodic veterinary examinations will be necessary as well.

For More Information: Feline Diabetes Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 29th, 2009 at 10:18 pm and is filed under Cats, General Pet Health Care, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.