How to Spot Feline Diabetes in Your Cat

How to spot the symptoms of diabetes in cats in order to obtain the proper professional care and management.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. History
   One common metabolic disease in older cats is known as feline diabetes mellitus. It is divided into two types - Type I is where the cat's body doesn't produce enough insulin, Type II is where the cat's body doesn't handle insulin efficiently.
   
   Insulin is secreted by the pancreas and signals cells to take up glucose in the bloodstream to use it for energy. If there is not enough insulin or if it is not used efficiently, the glucose stays in the bloodstream and the cells cannot use it for energy.

2. Cause
   The exact cause is unknown but it has been linked to certain metabolic diseases such as hyperthyroidism, obesity, medications as well as genetics.
   
   It tends to occur most often in older, overweight cats. Males are more predisposed to it than females are.

3. Diagnosis
   A veterinarian will diagnose the disease based on urine and blood tests coupled with symptoms presented.
   
   Some symptoms of diabetes in cats are:
   -frequent urination coupled with frequent drinking (also known in the medical world as PU/PD or polyuria/polydipsia)
   -lethargy
   -poor coat
   -ravenous or absent appetite
   -weight loss

4. Treatment
   Treatment is not a one-size-fits-all; the veterinarian will decide whether to use oral medication, insulin injections, change the diet, or a combination. If the cat is very sick, hospitalization is required. Blood tests are required to regulate insulin doses. During hospitalization, the vet might increase the insulin by 1 unit every 12 hours depending on the glucose values. Intravenous fluids might be administered as well as close monitoring.
   
   At home, insulin is usually administered twice a day. Ideally, food and insulin should be given at the same times every day. A high fiber, low carbohydrate (high calorie if cat is underweight) diet might be prescribed. Food should not be left out all day. Food consumption, water intake, urine output, and behavior should be observed.
   
   Owners might test for sugar in the blood using a glucometer and test the urine using dipsticks.

5. Prognosis
   Initially treatment can be far from simple and even overwhelming, but once the cat is regulated and the owner is educated, the disease is manageable. In some cases the disease is intermittent, might even be resolved, or permanently regulated.
   
   While untreated diabetes will surely lead to death in a cat, successful management will lead to a longer life.

Tips & Warnings

• Establish a good relationship with your veterinarian.
• Read about the disease.
• The goal is not to achieve a normal glucose range but to regulate it.
• You know your cat best, so listen to your instincts if you think that the cat is not normal.
• Hypoglycemia can develop from an insulin overdose. The signs are: weakness, disorientation, convulsions, unconsciousness. To treat: swab Karo or maple syrup on gums.
• Never attempt to open a cat's mouth who is convulsing.
• Never change the insulin dose without consulting with the veterinarian.

[nancys123]

on 9/11/2009 Good article. 5*

[femwriter]

on 9/10/2009 This is a valuable information on how to spot feline diabetes in cats. Thanks for writing this article. 5* plus recommendation!

[lexajayne]

on 8/6/2009 Thanks for the well written article. I have a couple of overweight cats and realize that I need to make some changes to try to prevent this, as well as moniter them for possible diabetes.

[trvlarrngr]

on 7/30/2009 I lost a cat to feline diabetes. Great article. thanks 5 stars

[showpup]

on 7/22/2009 Great information. I'm bottle feeding an orphan kitten right now. He's just 5 days old and already battled an upper respiratory infection. If he makes it, he is certainly going to be my house companion. Being more of a dog person, I appreciate the information on cat health.