Diabetes in cats is not very well known so owners must be aware of the signs and symptoms of this disease before it occurs. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic condition in which a deficiency of the hormone insulin impairs the body's ability to metabolize sugar. It is one of the most common endocrine (hormonal) diseases of cats. Diabetes in cats strikes 1 in 400 , though recent veterinary studies note that it is becoming more common lately in cats. Symptoms diabetes in cats are similar to those in humans. Diabetes in cats occurs less frequently than in dogs.
Symptoms
Cats will generally show a gradual onset of the disease over a few weeks, and it may escape notice for a while. The condition is unusual in cats less than seven years old. The first obvious diabetes in cats symptoms are increase in water intake and urine output. The overload of glucose in the blood stream is relieved somewhat by loss into the urine. The loss of water in the body leads to dehydration, and animals compensate for this by drinking much more.
Another sign of diabetes in cats are weight loss in spite of an increased appetite. The body needs glucose for energy and with insulin resistance it can’t seem to get enough, especially into the brain. At the same time, calories in the form of glucose are being lost into the urine. The brain feels that the body is hungry and so the cat’s appetite increases, but because the calories are being lost and not utilized, there is weight loss. Furthermore, insulin promotes the building of proteins from amino acids in the body. When there is not enough insulin, proteins break down (especially in muscle), and this also contributes to weight loss. Another diabetes in cats symptoms are poor skin and coat condition and breathing abnormalities.Treatment
The treatment for diabetes in cats can be unique for every cat. The first consideration is diet, where the goal is to bring the cat to an ideal body weight and to keep the blood glucose levels consistent. An obese cat should be fed 60-70% of its calculated caloric requirement to reduce its body weight over 2-4 months. Home cooked food is always the preferred option for diabetes in cats over commercial foods since canned food tends to have a higher proportion of carbohydrates. Try to get hold of a cat food calculator and determine the type and quantity of fats, proteins and carbohydrates that you can safely feed your cat.
Another treatment for diabetes in cats are through oral pills. The oral anti-diabetic drug, Glipizide, stimulates the release of insulin from pancreas and in some cases even curbs production of glucose. These drugs can be useful only if the pancreas is working. But these drugs have been shown in some studies to damage the pancreas further, reducing the chances of remission for cats. They have also been shown to cause liver damage.
Insulin usually metabolizes faster in cats than in humans. Insulin treatment may be required for diabetes in cats that have decreased insulin production and have become insulin-dependent. Insulin is the drug most commonly used in treating diabetes in cats. Types of insulin are typically characterized by their duration of actions like short-acting insulin, intermediate-acting insulins, and long-acting insulins. And there are also insulin for diabetes in cats that can be characterized by their source, such as beef, pork, and human recombinant insulin.
Effective treatment of diabetes in cats is based on the severity of the disease. Intensive care is required in cases where the disease has progressed beyond the initial levels and Insulin administration should be timed with meals so that maximum glucose uptake into the cells, is possible.
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