Diabetes mellitus
affects approximately 1 in 400 cats.
Obesity is the number one contributing factor to feline diabetes. However, not all cats that develop diabetes
will be overweight. Early symptoms of
diabetes include: increased appetite, increased urination, increased drinking,
and unexplained weight loss. Advanced
symptoms include: loss of appetite, vomiting, ketone breath (sweet odor), and
diabetic coma.
Diagnosis of
feline diabetes mellitus is based on symptoms, elevated blood sugar levels, and
glucose in the urine. When the pancreas
fails to produce enough insulin or the cells fail to respond to insulin, the
body cannot properly handle blood sugar.
This leads to elevated glucose in the blood, which spills over into the
urine. The inability to properly use
blood glucose can lead to an increased level of ketones. Ketoacidosis is a life-threatening condition
caused by elevated ketones in the blood.
There are three
types of diabetes mellitus in cats. Type
I diabetic cats are insulin dependent, meaning their pancreas is not producing
enough insulin. These cats will need to
receive regular insulin injections. In
cats with type II diabetes, the cat’s pancreas may make enough insulin but the
cat’s body does not use it properly. This
is the most common type of feline diabetes.
Often, these cats will respond to oral medications and dietary
restrictions.
Some
cats are Type II, but initially need insulin injections. However, eventually, their system re-regulates
and they can go off insulin. These cats
will still require a special diet.
Treating
diabetic cats can be an expensive and frustrating endeavor. The best treatment is prevention. By maintaining your cat at a healthy body
weight, you will significantly reduce the chances of her developing diabetes.
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