You may not know this, but cats can get diabetes.
The pancreas normally produces insulin, a hormone, which helps move glucose from the blood stream to the cells of the body, so it can be used for energy.
When not enough insulin is produced or the cat’s body is not responding well to insulin, then blood glucose rises and causes clinical signs.
These symptoms typically are that your cat is very thirsty and drinks a lot more water than normal, and also urinates much more frequently.
Your cat may always be hungry but is losing weight. Sometimes this is more noticeable when you are petting your cat’s back and it seems like the bones in the back stand out more than usual.
Your Pal most likely will be tired and seems weak. A trip to the veterinarian is needed. Your veterinarian can draw some blood and get a urine sample that will diagnose diabetes and rule out other diseases, such as a bladder infection, kidney failure and hyperthyroidism that have similar symptoms.
Diabetes can occur for many reasons. Cats at risk for diabetes are typically 6 years old or older. Overweight cats are more likely to get diabetes, especially cats weighing 15 pounds or more. Male cats tend to get this disease more than females.
Chronic use of various medications, such as steroids and progesterone, may increase the risk of diabetes. Any cat purebred or mixed breed can get diabetes, but the Burmese breed has an increased risk (genetically).
Inactive or sedentary cats also have an increased risk. Certain diseases, such as pancreatitis, may occur at the same time as diabetes.
There is no cure for diabetes, but it is a treatable disease. Changing your cat’s diet to a “keto-like diet” is the first step in a treatment plan.
A high protein and low carbohydrate diet will help control your cat’s high glucose levels. The diet reduces the need for insulin and improves the chance of remission. Diabetic cats in remission will not require insulin and the diabetes may be managed with diet alone.
There are many feline diabetic prescription diets available, including Purina DM Diatetic Management, Royal Canin Glycobalance and Hill’s Gluco Support M/D.
If your cat is overweight, do not put it on a strict diet as overweight cats cannot go on a strict diet or they will deposit fat in their liver, which can often cause a potentially fatal hepatic lipidosis. Your veterinarian can help you make choices for your Pal’s dietary needs and treats.
Diabetic cats can be treated with injectable insulin. In most cases, insulin must be given twice a day, about 12 hours apart. Insulin is given after a meal.
Timely insulin therapy will improve the chance for remission. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms and to decrease further damage to your cat’s internal organs by using the appropriate dose of insulin. Finding this dose may take several adjustments and blood tests.
There is a relatively new medication, Bexacat, that is an oral tablet given once a day for diabetic cats, but use at your veterinarian’s discretion as not all diabetic cats can take this oral medication.
There are also glucose monitors — like those that people use — placed on the skin to check the insulin levels over a short duration of time, such as two weeks.
The FreeStyle Libre is the most commonly used monitor used in veterinary medicine. The sensor attaches to an animal for up to two weeks, along with a reader or smart phone to collect data on sugar (glucose) levels.
Once the insulin dose is regulated, the cats’ glucose levels are checked with the sensor every 3 to 6 months for two weeks. The owner can email the veterinarian biweekly updates of glucose levels.
You need to contact your veterinarian or veterinary ER if your cat does not eat when dosed with its insulin, or vomited around the time the insulin was given or the insulin was accidentally given twice.
This may cause hypoglycemia (low-blood sugar), which is a medical emergency. The cat will act weak, tired, confused, disoriented, staggering, possible have seizures and may become unconsciousness.
If the cat is conscious, try to give a small meal and, if unconscious, rub a small amount of corn syrup or honey on your Pal’s gums. Then go to your veterinarian or veterinarian ER.
The most important thing to remember about your diabetic cat is: When in doubt if insulin has been already given or if cat has not eaten or cat vomited up food around the time insulin dose is due, DO NOT GIVE INSULIN.
If your cat is not feeling well or not eating well, skip the dose of insulin. Call your veterinarian.
If you have a diabetic cat, the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine is a good source of information.