If You Suspect Diabetes In Your Pet Cat

Some people are surprised to learn that cats can get diabetes. But the truth is, it is really not that uncommon. And just like in humans, it is dangerous in cats. Treating a diabetic cat requires keeping on top of the situation and carefully monitoring the situation. But it is not difficult.

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.

After time, he may also develop neuropathy. This is a common side effect of diabetes. With neuropathy, a cat will walk on his haunches instead of his paws. This will distort his posture and give him a hunch back. He will also have difficulty making what used to be simple jumps.

In essence, what is happening with neuropathy is that the signals being sent from the brain to make the muscles move do not make it back to the muscles. So, your cat will begin his jump but the muscles will fail before the jump is complete. He will miss the target and fall. It is scary to witness. If you have not noticed other symptoms of diabetes but see this behavior, get to the vet as soon as possible.

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.

This is usually determined with a few tests. Initially, the vet will perform a ‘glucose curve.’ Throughout the day, blood is drawn and sugar levels are checked. More of these curves are done a few weeks apart with different doses of insulin. This process is continued until the right dose is found.

Once the right dose is determined, the injections must be given regularly, usually twice a day. Missing a dose is not generally an issue, although several missed doses will cause sugar levels to stay elevated. The most important thing to keep in mind regarding insulin is that too much is even worse than too little. Too much insulin is extremely dangerous. Seizures and even death can occur instantly. Keep a record of shots given to ensure that he is getting his insulin an also that he isn’t inadvertently given shots by two different people.

It is also vital to keep up with scheduled appointments with the doctor. A strange thing about diabetes in cats, unlike dogs or people, is that the pancreas can actually begin to produce insulin by itself again. If the pancreas starts working again and you continue giving your cat insulin, this can be too much total insulin and your cat could die.

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

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