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Feline Diabetes Symptoms

also see Cat Insulin

also see Feline Diabetes

also see Feline Insulin

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also see Program 

also see Cat Health Care 

Cat diabetes is a common endocrine disease in cats. The feline diabetes symptoms range from increased thirst and frequent urination to weight loss. Detecting diabetes in time can increase your cat’s life expectancy and quality.

Feline Diabetes Symptoms

Due to an increased level of glucose in the blood, a diabetic cat will experience the following symptoms:

If you notice any of these symptoms, or a flat footed stance (which is caused by neuropathy), you need to visit your vet. An early detected condition may be fully treatable while a cat with undetected diabetes may develop liver and bladder diseases and may even die.

Causes of Diabetes

Diabetes in cats may be a hereditary condition. However, there is a higher incidence of diabetes mellitus in obese cats.

The disease may occur as a secondary condition in different diseases of the immune system, virus infections or pancreatic disease. The pancreas produces the insulin, so if this organ is affected, the cat may have diabetes.

Certain cat breeds are more prone to diabetes and females also might develop the disease more often due to the reproductive hormones.

Diagnosing Diabetes

Diabetes may be diagnosed by running some blood tests. If the glucose level in the blood is elevated, this can point to diabetesmellitus.

However, hyperglycemia may be caused by stress in felines, so the test may not be conclusive. For this reason, the levels of fructosamine and a urine sample are also needed for an optimal diagnosis.

Feline Diabetes Treatment

Diabetes in felines should be diagnosed as soon as possible. A cat with diabetes diagnosed from its early stages may recover after a change in diet and treatment with hypoglycemic agents. Weight loss may also be recommended; a lot of obese cats develop diabetes.

However, the typical treatment for feline diabetes consists of shots of insulin. Once detected, the condition is manageable.

The insulin will decrease the blood glucose levels to a normal value and will be effective for several hours according to the type of the shot and the amount of insulin. The cat may get insulin shots at a frequency of 4 hours or once per day. You will need to administer the shot to your pet.

Felines with diabetes must be kept under constant observation; they must get their insulin shot and they need a regular check up. The vet needs to supervise the glucose levels and decide if the insulin dosage is correct.

also see Principles of a Diabetic Cat Diet

also see Caring for Cats with Diabetes

also see Managing Feline Diabetes with a Low Carbohydrate Diet

also see Feline Diabetes Prevention Tips

also see 10 Causes of Feline Incontinence

also see Insulin and Regulating Diabetes

also see Diabetes with other disorders in Cats

also see Hormonal Disorders of Cats