As common as dangerous, feline diabetes is a pathology present in thousands of cats in our country, especially among landlords, so it is necessary to maintain special care and control of the disease to safeguard the health of the animal.

That is why in this article we want to explain what are the symptoms that occur in the pet and what is the most appropriate treatment to treat diabetes in cats.

What are the causes of feline diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that involves the inability of the body to properly process glucose in the blood. Those who suffer from it have high concentrations of glucose, mainly due to a defect in insulin production.

Like humans, diabetes mellitus also affects several animal species, including felines. This disease occurs in cats as a result of low physical activity and overweight problems.

Due to this inability to process glucose, the animal’s organism does not have the energy necessary to survive, being forced to take the energy of other cells. The result: various health problems that can be lethal to the cat.

Type 1 diabetes develops when the cat’s organism destroys the deposits of insulin production, considerably decreasing the amount of this hormone.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas has no difficulty releasing insulin, but the cat’s body refuses to use it to control the level of glucose.

The latter is the one that occurs most frequently in cats.

Other factors, such as age, race, genetic disposition and the use of certain medications for the treatment of other diseases, can also cause feline diabetes.

Symptoms that manifest with feline diabetes

Some of the following symptoms may occur gradually in cats suffering from diabetes:

Weightloss.
Excess thirst.
Vomiting
Increased appetite
Increased frequency and quantity of urine.
Stun in the animal.

In addition, cats often have difficulty moving from one place to another, keeping the hind legs bent due to the weakness caused by muscle degeneration.

Other pathologies related to diabetes in cats are urinary infections, liver problems and kidney complications.

Although these symptoms may appear progressively, it is essential to go to the veterinary clinic in case at least three of them are detected, so that the specialist can perform the necessary examinations.

The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is made through blood and urine tests, in order to determine the blood sugar level of the animal. For the diagnosis to be accurate, it is necessary that the cat is calm and relaxed at the time of taking the sample, since, otherwise, the result can be misleading.

The veterinarian can also perform a complementary test to measure the presence of fructosamine in the blood.

Treatment of diabetes in cats

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the veterinarian may indicate the appropriate treatment for the cat, in order to control the symptoms of diabetes, avoid complications that may occur and improve the quality of life of the animal.

The treatment for feline diabetes type 1 consists of the daily administration of insulin, through regular injections. The exact dose should be determined by the veterinarian and will be applied under the skin of the cat’s neck with a maximum of twice a day.

In the case of type 2 diabetes, the objective will be to change the cat’s diet to observe its evolution.

In both cases, the diet of the cat suffering from diabetes should be prepared in order to lower the level of glucose in the animal’s blood. A diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates is ideal to keep the pet in better health.

It is important that both the amount of insulin and the specifications of the diet are met as indicated by the veterinarian, in order to achieve the best results. The specialist will establish a schedule of visits to keep the level of glucose in the animal’s blood under control and make appropriate adjustments in the treatment.

Keys to face feline diabetes

Although it is a disease that has no cure, feline diabetes can be controlled if detected in time, improving the quality of life of the cat.
Only the veterinarian, through the relevant analysis to measure blood glucose levels, can diagnose diabetes in cats, so it is necessary to follow in detail its recommendations.
Increased appetite in the cat along with the weight loss of the animal, are the most significant symptoms of feline diabetes. You may also have diarrhea and changes in your coat.
Many times, treatment may consist of the application of oral hypoglycemic medications that replace insulin; The veterinarian will evaluate the suitability of using this type of products.

It is the responsibility of the owner of the animal to keep an eye on the appearance of some of these symptoms, especially with regard to cat feeding and water consumption, which is usually increased in cats with diabetes.

If feline diabetes is not treated in time, the cat can suffer serious health complications such as vision loss, neuropathy or hyperglycemia. Therefore, we recommend you to be aware of any changes in the behavior of your pet and take it to a veterinary consultation in case you suspect the presence of this disease.