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Apr 20, 2012 · 4 min read. |. Listen. An alarming number of cats are developing diabetes mellitus, which is the inability to produce enough insulin to balance blood sugar, or glucose, levels. Left untreated, it ...
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- Audrey Cook, BVM&S
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- Food for Cats
- Risk Factors
- Clinical Signs
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Monitoring
- Prognosis and Remission
- Possible Complications
- Monitoring Your Cat at Home
The most important risk factors identified for the development of diabetes in cats include obesity, increasing age, physical inactivity, male gender, and the use of glucocorticoids (steroids) to treat other illnesses such as feline asthma. In some countries, Burmese cats appear to have a higher risk of developing diabetes than other breeds, but thi...
The two most common signs of diabetes noticed by owners at home are weight loss despite a good appetite and increased thirst and urination. Weight loss may be noticed at home or during a routine examination with the veterinarian. In both Type I and Type II diabetes, the cells in the body are unable to absorb glucose from the blood and become starve...
Your veterinarian will diagnose diabetes mellitus by demonstrating persistently elevated glucose levels in a cat’s blood and urine. This testing, along with consistent clinical signs, will lead to the diagnosis of diabetes. A single blood glucose reading in a veterinary clinic may not be sufficient to diagnose diabetes in all cases. Cats can develo...
The main goals of treatment for feline diabetes are: 1. Restoring normal blood glucose concentrations 2. Stopping or controlling weight loss 3. Stopping or minimizing signs of increased thirst and urination 4. Avoiding inappropriately low blood sugar due to treatment (hypoglycemia) These goals are traditionally achieved through a combination of ins...
Close monitoring by both the owner and the veterinarian is an essential part of treatment for a diabetic cat. Regular monitoring will help determine the ideal insulin dose for each cat as well as help avoid complications, such as hypoglycemia or uncontrolled diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis. Regular assessments of weight, water intake, and appeti...
Though there is no cure for feline diabetes, the prognosis for a good quality of life is good with adequate management at home. With early, aggressive treatment of diabetes, many cats will enter a state of diabetic remission, meaning they are able to maintain normal blood sugar levels without insulin injections. Older cats, cats who have previously...
Insulin therapy and SGLT2 medications lower blood glucose, possibly to dangerously low levels. Signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) include weakness, lethargy, vomiting, lack of coordination, seizures, and coma. Hypoglycemia can be fatal if left untreated, so any diabetic cat that shows any of these signs should be offered its regular food immed...
Monitoring a diabetic cat at home requires careful attention to a few things. Cats with well-controlled diabetes should maintain a normal activity level and demeanor. Owners should also monitor daily water intake, urine production, appetite, body weight, amount of insulin or medication administered, and possibly blood or urine glucose levels. Monit...
Canned diets are often beneficial in cats with diabetes as they are less calorie-dense than dry kibble. Fiber: Fiber is an important part of every cat’s diet. Soluble fibers can improve the health of the colon and overall immune health, but insoluble fibers like cellulose benefit cats with DM. Insoluble fibers can slow the absorption of ...
The four main symptoms of diabetes mellitus are increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, and increased appetite. These signs may go unnoticed, especially in the early stages of the disease, or if a cat spends a lot of time outdoors. Cats that are fed canned or semi-moist diets receive much of their water intake from their food, which ...
Mar 6, 2023 · It is four times more likely for an obese cat to develop diabetes mellitus than an ideal-weight cat. Fat produces the hormones adiponectin, resistin, and leptin. The regulation of glucose is affected by these hormones. There is a 30% reduction in the sensitivity to insulin for every extra kilogram of body weight.
Jun 7, 2012 · This is especially true for diabetic cats. “The ideal diet for a diabetic cat is one that has increased protein and decreased carbohydrate content,” Nelson says. Most canned cat foods are ...
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May 16, 2024 · Diabetes mellitus (usually just called diabetes) is a hormonal condition affecting sugar metabolism. It happens when there is not enough insulin in the body. This can be an ‘absolute deficiency’, where not enough insulin is made by the pancreas, or a ‘relative deficiency’ where there is insulin available but the body cannot respond to it (insulin resistance) – or a mixture of both!
