What If My Kitty Has Diabetes?

Diabetes in cats is just as common as it is in people. It is also just as dangerous if not treated. Caring for a diabetic cat is not hard but does require consistency and diligence.

You may not notice the symptoms at first but as soon as you do, get him in to see his veterinarian right away. The first thing you may notice is excessive water consumption with frequent urination. He will also have an increased appetite, yet dramatic weight loss. You may also see lethargy.

Another sign will be the development of neuropathy. This is a side effect of diabetes in cats which will be noticeable in how he walks. Rather than walking on his back paws, he will use his haunches. This will distort his posture giving him a hunchback. He will not be able to jump onto a bed or couch that would normally not be a problem to reach.

Basically, neuropathy is the interruption of signals being sent from the brain to complete movement. The cat will begin his leap onto the couch. But the signal will not reach the muscles and they will not complete the movement. The cat cannot finish his jump and will fall or slide down the couch, usually quite confused over it all. This is horrible to watch. Call a vet immediately.

Fortunately once you have the diabetes under control, neuropathy will clear up on its own. In order to have control of diabetes, your cat will probably need to be on insulin. Insulin is made in the pancreas. When the pancreas fails, blood sugar is too high and insulin must be given. Usually it is given through injections every 12 hours. There are some pills available but in most cases they are not effective. Injected insulin is more effective and there are several different kinds.

Type and amount of insulin is determined with a series of tests. First there is an initial ‘glucose curve.’This is just testing the blood every four hours to monitor the blood sugar throughout the day. Different insulin doses will be given and more curves will be done over time to establish which dose keeps your cat’s blood sugar stable throughout the day.

Once the proper dose is determined, it is imperative to continue the injections regularly, usually every 12 hours. A missed dose is not going to create a problem but many missed doses will undermine the progress your cat is making. One important thing to keep in mind, though, is that a missed dose is better than double-dose. Too much insulin will cause the body to go into shock. This may cause seizures and possibly death. Keep record of doses on a calendar to make sure the injections are given at the right times.

Also be sure to stay on top of your kitty’s appointments with his doctor. This is especially vital in diabetes cases. Amazingly, unlike dogs or people, cats’ pancreases have the ability to re-learn to produce insulin again. While this is good news, it is bad news if you continue to deliver insulin. As mentioned before, too much insulin will cause shock and maybe death.

If your furry friend has diabetes, you need not fret. While he will need you to keep a close eye on him and be diligent with his injections, there is nothing more to it than that. Well, maybe some extra ear scratches would be nice.

It is important to be aware of what you should look for regarding diabetes symptoms and their impact on your health. The Diabetes Advice Online services gives you details and information on the steps you should take when you might have diabetes.