Diabetes Details

Believe it or not, cats can get diabetes just like people do. It is just as life-threatening and requires just as much care. This is not to say it’s hard to care for a diabetic cat; it isn’t.

You may not notice the symptoms at first but as soon as you do, get him in to see his veterinarian right away. The first thing you may notice is excessive water consumption with frequent urination. He will also have an increased appetite, yet dramatic weight loss. You may also see lethargy.

As diabetes goes untreated, a cat may develop neuropathy. This will affect his ability to walk and jump. Instead of walking on the paws, the cat will begin walking on his haunches. This altered walk with be awkward for him and give him a hunchback posture. Jumps that would normally be simple are now impossible.

Neuropathy is a nervous system problem where signals delivered from the brain do not reach their targets. For example: a signal is sent to the leg muscles to jump. The cat starts his jump. But the signals stop before reaching the muscles. He cannot complete the jump and falls. It is sad to see and can be scary. Call the vet right away!

The good thing about neuropathy is that it will clear itself up once the diabetes is under control. Diabetes is usually controlled by giving insulin which is usually produced in the pancreas. When the pancreas fails, blood sugar is too high. Insulin can be administered via pill but this method is effective in fewer than half of feline diabetics. The better option is injections. There are different kinds of insulin and certain syringes that work with each type. Your vet will figure out what is best for your cat’s needs.

This is usually determined with a few tests. Initially, the vet will perform a ‘glucose curve.’ Throughout the day, blood is drawn and sugar levels are checked. More of these curves are done a few weeks apart with different doses of insulin. This process is continued until the right dose is found.

Once the proper dose is determined, it is imperative to continue the injections regularly, usually every 12 hours. A missed dose is not going to create a problem but many missed doses will undermine the progress your cat is making. One important thing to keep in mind, though, is that a missed dose is better than double-dose. Too much insulin will cause the body to go into shock. This may cause seizures and possibly death. Keep record of doses on a calendar to make sure the injections are given at the right times.

Be sure to keep up with regular check-ups recommended by the veterinarian. This is always important but it is especially important in the case of diabetes. Unlike humans or even dogs, the pancreas of a cat can actually ‘re-learn’ to function properly over time. What this means is that a cat’s pancreas may actually start to produce insulin on its own. If you continue to give insulin, your cat will get too much and overdose. Again, this can lead to death.

Living with a diabetic cat is not complicated. It just takes care and dedication to proper care. In most diabetes cases cats may not even require a special diet. Just stay on top of the situation. A little ear scratching will be appreciated too.

It is important to be aware of what you should look for regarding diabetes symptoms and the impact on your health. The Diabetes Advice Online services gives you details and information on the steps you should take when you might have diabetes.