Diabetes is one of the fastest growing diseases in humans, but did you know that cats with diabetes are also on the rise? Diabetes is due to inadequate production of insulin by the pancreas, or an inadequate response of the cells to insulin, and without insulin, the body cannot utilize glucose; elevated blood sugar levels are the result. In cats, excess glucose is eliminated by the kidneys, producing frequent urination. To make up for the water lost, diabetic cats will drink excessive amounts of water. Other symptoms may include sudden weight loss (or occasional gain), ravenous or absent appetite and weak back legs.
Cats with diabetes can be treated, but the disease is fatal if left alone. The cat must go on a low carbohydrate diet, which is a critical component of treatment. In many cases it is effective on its own. Low carbohydrate diets have the ability to reduce the amount of insulin needed. Therefore, it keeps blood sugar normal. So how do you put your cat on a low-carbohydrate diet? Carbohydrate levels are highest in dry cat foods, so cats are best off with canned food. Canned food can sometimes be prescribed for diabetic cats, but veterinarians sometimes recommend commercial canned food as well. A veterinarian can help you decide which type of food is best for your cat.
Diabetes mellitus isn't just treated through diet, sometimes cats need more changes to their lifestyles. They may need to be injected with insulin to be kept healthy and there are some oral medications that can be given; however, they are mainly used when insulin is not an option for some reason. This is because they typically have more unpleasant side effects. To establish insulin therapy, veterinarians may administer blood and urine tests and physical examinations. It is important to never adjust insulin therapy on your own because it can cause complications.
There is currently no evidence that suggests diabetes can be prevented in cats. One way to lower your cat's risk of developing diabetes is to implement a pet weight management plan and make sure that you are promoting healthy diet and exercise. Obesity is definitely a risk factor in diabetes but it is also known that some breeds are more prone to diabetes than others. It may not matter how healthy your cat is, he/she may just be susceptible to the disease because of genetics.
The best way to prevent complications from feline diabetes is by keeping a close eye on your cat. If he/she doesn't currently have diabetes, watch out for the symptoms, especially frequent urination and increased thirst. If your cat already has diabetes, be sure to regularly visit the vet, administer proper treatment and watch out for symptoms of diabetes complications. Complications that may come about from feline diabetes include: diabetic neuropathy, nephropathy and cataracts. It can also lead to various problems with the skin, liver, kidneys, joints and body infections.
