Feline Diabetes
If your cat shows the symptoms of weight loss and increased hunger and thirst, he or she might be suffering from Feline Diabetes. Only your veterinarian can tell for sure. If Feline Diabetes is left untreated, your cat will exhibit other symptoms such as loss of sheen to the fur, skin ailments, and weakness in the hind quarters. A disease that’s related to Feline Diabetes called “Ketoacidosis” can also occur. Ketoacidosis is a deadly disease. It’s symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and labored breathing.
Your veterinarian can perform a physical examination, blood tests, and urine tests on your cat to find out if Feline Diabetes is the culprit behind his or her symptoms. If your cat does have this disease, the good news is, Feline Diabetes is treatable. Though Feline Diabetes can’t be cured, after a cat is treated for a time, sometimes, treatment with drugs can be stopped. Then, a cat’s blood sugar levels can be controlled mainly by diet and lifestyle.
Your veterinarian may recommend a prescription of insulin, which is given by an injection one or two times a day, or an oral dosage of a pill. Your veterinarian will show you how to properly give your cat his or her insulin shots. Both treatments will help keep your cat’s blood sugar levels in check.
On top of the prescription your veterinarian orders, you’ll have to do your part in treating your cat’s Feline Diabetes. Overweight cats should be placed on a diet. Being at its proper weight will help your cat live a healthier life in more ways than one. Your veterinarian can help you plan an effective diet for your cat.
It’s long been thought that a cat that suffers from Feline Diabetes should be fed a high fiber diet along with high complex carbohydrates. However, further studies show that a cat who suffers from Feline Diabetes should be put on a high protein diet instead. High protein diets have actually been been shown to reduce the amount of insulin a diabetic cat needs. In some cases, a high protein diet can actually cause Feline Diabetes to go into remission.
If your veterinarian recommends an insulin treatment for your cat, you’ll also need to closely watch his or her blood sugar levels. Your veterinarian might have you check your cat’s blood and keep track of it daily. This way, he or she will have an ongoing record. This can help treat Feline Diabetes by telling your veterinarian how much insulin your cat needs.
While insulin works wonders in reducing the amount of glucose in a human’s or in an animal’s bloodstream, it can also present a serious problem. A condition called “hypoglycemia”, or “low blood sugar” can occur in cats who suffer from Feline Diabetes. Less severe symptoms can include weakness and lack of energy. More severe symptoms include seizures and coma. If left untreated, hypoglycemia can result in death.
If your cat is diagnosed with Feline Diabetes, be sure to keep up a good level of communication with your veterinarian. He or she can answer all of your questions and help you keep your cat healthy and happy.
