Understanding Cat Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms, and Manag
Cat Diabetes Symptoms:
Increased appetite, weight loss, dull coat, excessive thirst and urination, sweetsmelling urine, and during diabetic ketoacidosis, symptoms may include lack of energy, decreased appetite, vomiting, seizures, and confusion.
Risk Level: Low
Category: Endocrine Disease
Prevalence: Common in cats; Common in dogs
Keywords: Lethargy/Excessive eating/Emaciation/Weight loss/Excessive drinking and urination/Dull coat/Sweet urine
What is Cat Diabetes?
Cat diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels, or when the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin. This leads to insulin not being fully utilized, with excess sugar spilling into the bloodstream and being excreted in urine. The body's cells then cannot obtain enough nutrients (sugar) from the blood, leading to a state of hunger. The brain sends signals to increase food intake or seek energy from other sources.
As a result, the body produces energy from unconventional methods, which, if sustained over time, can lead to the accumulation of toxic byproducts called ketones. These ketones can build up in the body, eventually causing diabetic ketoacidosis.
It is not uncommon for diabetes to go unnoticed without obvious symptoms. Often, it is only when the condition worsens into diabetic ketoacidosis that owners become aware of the problem.
Diagnosis: Diagnosis is made through blood and urine tests. When diabetes is suspected but definitive evidence is lacking, fructosamine and glycosylated hemoglobin tests can be conducted through external referrals to measure longterm blood sugar levels.
Treatment: Treatment primarily involves insulin administration. However, too much or too little insulin can cause issues, and determining the appropriate type and dosage takes time. Hospital observation is recommended.
Diabetes Only: Longacting insulin injections are used to supplement insulin, followed by monitoring blood sugar fluctuations. Typically, insulin medication is adjusted to keep blood sugar levels around 200 mg/dL or lower. Once stable, insulin can be administered at home.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis: At this stage, the condition is often severe and lifethreatening, requiring urgent blood sugar reduction. Shortacting insulin is injected to help the body recover from diabetic ketoacidosis, with frequent monitoring of blood sugar levels. Once stable, the same treatment measures as for diabetes only can be used for blood sugar management.
Prognosis: Since diabetes is a chronic condition that cannot be cured, lifelong insulin therapy is necessary. With proper management, the prognosis is generally good. However, the effectiveness of insulin treatment can change over time, and regular blood sugar measurements are required.
