Early detection of feline diabetes symptoms can help save a cat’s life. Like humans, a cat can have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes; both are equally serious.
Feline Diabetes Explained
When a cat has type 1 diabetes, his body’s pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin on its own. Type 2 diabetes develops when a cat becomes resistant to the insulin his pancreas makes and the body doesn’t use the insulin efficiently.
Insulin is a hormone that’s made by the pancreas, which helps the body absorb and use glucose in the muscles, liver and fatty tissues. Glucose is made by the breaking down of carbohydrates in the small intestine, which is then absorbed by the intestine’s cells and carried throughout the body via a cat’s bloodstream. If a cat’s body doesn’t receive glucose because he has diabetes, the cells of the body won’t have a source of energy and will begin to starve.
Knowing the symptoms of this disease and detecting it early can help restore the energy a cat’s cells need for them to function properly.
Feline Diabetes Symptoms
The symptoms of diabetes differ in every cat that has this condition and can appear like a different illness. One of the first things to keep in mind is that diabetes typically occurs in older cats. Cats more at risk of developing this disorder include those that are overweight and male cats that have been neutered.
A cat that has diabetes will be more thirsty than usual and will increase his water intake. As a result, he will need to relieve himself more often. Some cat owners notice this when they find themselves cleaning a cat’s litter box more often.
Some stranger symptoms of diabetes in a cat include changes in his eyesight and how he walks. Diabetes can cause cataracts to form in a cat’s eyes and a loss of sight. When this happens, a cat may begin to run into objects and will be less willing to jump up to or down from higher locations. Since diabetes can affect the joints, a cat may being to walk on the hocks (or joints) of his rear legs instead of his paws. If a pet owner notices this, the cat should be taken to a veterinary clinic for an examination as this isn’t a new trick he’s showing-off.
The Benefits of Early Feline Diabetes Detection
If diabetes is found early in a cat, his life may go on as normal. The main differences will be that he’ll need to receive insulin shots a couple of times a day after meals, and the cat will have to be taken to the vet’s office for routine check-ups once in a while. When diabetes is detected early, the amount of insulin a cat will need may be reduced. A veterinarian may also suggest changes in a diabetic cat’s diet to help maintain his health and prevent complications of the disease.
Early detection of feline diabetes symptoms can help prolong a cat’s life and keep him healthy for a longer period of time. If one finds their cat displays any diabetes symptoms, he should promptly be seen by a veterinarian.