Cat Diabetes
Diabetic cats are more and more common than in previous years, but most can be helped through a regimen of diet change and insulin injections. Cats that most commonly acquire diabetes are older cats which are overweight and male cats seem to be more susceptible to this disease. A little web research will find some differing opinions on whether or not cat diabetes can be reversed or not, but all agree that it is a treatable condition and that a long life is still possible.
Usual symptoms of cat diabetes are increased urination and increased thirst which are caused by the condition of excessive high blood sugar which leaks through the kidneys into the urine. The glucose takes water with it and the cycle of increased thirst and increased urination is on. Another symptom is neuropathy of the back legs which causes the cat to walk on its hocks instead of the back feet. This is caused by nerve damage from the high blood glucose concentration over a period of time and if not treated can cripple the cat.
Good websites that review symptoms and treatments are www.felinediabetes.com and http://www.fabcats.org. Both are comprehensive in discussing the disease and what to do about it.
Treatments for diabetic cats involve several things. Some veterinarians believe that change in diet alone can reverse diabetes in cats and this may be true, but it will strict adherence to the diet. Also newly diagnosed diabetic cats that aren’t in a chronic diabetic condition have a greater chance of reversing the disease. The diet change is to completely stop feeding any dry cat food and switch to canned food exclusively. Cats were created as obligate carnivores, which means that they get all the nutrients and amino acids they require from eating protein or meat only. They don’t really need carbohydrates or grain and vegetable based food at all. Dry food relies heavily on grain or cereal as the majority of its formulation and this high carbohydrate intake over time causes high blood sugar in cats.
This diet change also means no more table scraps or human food as it converts to glucose very quickly and only adds to the high blood sugar problem. If your cat has a sweet tooth because you allow him to eat human food, realize you are contributing to the diabetes problem and you need to change your habits to help your cat recover.
Besides diet the other parts of treatment involve increased exercise for the animal and more than likely using insulin syringes to give insulin injections and glucose monitoring. Glucose monitoring is done by taking a blood drop from the cat’s ear and testing it with glucose strips and a glucose meter. Insulin injections are given in the scruff of the cat and are usually done with U40 insulin syringes and U40 strength insulin. Your veterinarian will determine how much insulin to give in each injection and how often your cat will need injections. Regular glucose monitoring will determine the efficacy of the treatment and what changes, if any, need to be made.
Changes in diet, glucose monitoring, U40 insulin injections with a U40 syringe and increased exercise can all happen at home and be structured by you the owner to fit the best schedule for your cat. Taking the responsibility to treat your cat yourself will reduce the cost of treatment and allow your cat to regain health and live out the rest of its nine lives.
