Is it true that my cat is diabetic?
My cat was recently diagnosed as diabetic two weeks ago. He was prescribed insulin 2x daily and we slowly changed his diet to the wet foods after researching online with Binky’s comparison chart. Our vet was pushing the dry diabetic cat foods which I resisted after reading all the information online.
What happens when a diabetic cat is given Lantus?
Newly diagnosed diabetic cats given Lantus as the first insulin have the best chance of remission. This means they may return to being a normal, non-diabetic cat. Lantus means easier control of diabetes, which translates to fewer trips to the vet, which translates to less money spent.
Can a diabetic cat have a double dose of insulin?
The first is when the diabetic pet receives a double dose of their insulin – often one from each caregiver. The second common scenario is when the diabetic cat receives the correct dose of insulin, but other factors, such as the pet not eating their normal meal or another change in diet, creates an imbalance.
Can you give a diabetic cat a glucometer?
The glucometers are cheap and your vet can easily teach you how to get a drop of blood from the rim of your cat’s ear. Cat diabetics should be treated as human diabetics: you should know the blood glucose of your cat before ever giving an insulin injection.
My cat was recently diagnosed as diabetic two weeks ago. He was prescribed insulin 2x daily and we slowly changed his diet to the wet foods after researching online with Binky’s comparison chart. Our vet was pushing the dry diabetic cat foods which I resisted after reading all the information online.
What causes Type 2 diabetes in older cats?
Diabetes in Older Cats. Incidence and causes of diabetes in cats Diabetes develops in about 1 in 100-200 cats 1. An increased incidence of diabetes mellitus has been noted in Burmese cats in Australia and the UK. Diabetes mellitus can occur due to a deficiency of insulin or because of an inability of the body to respond to insulin 2.
How can I test my diabetic cat’s blood glucose?
I can’t recommend strongly enough purchasing your own glucometer and testing your cat’s blood glucose at home. This is the best way to treat a diabetic cat. The glucometers are cheap and your vet can easily teach you how to get a drop of blood from the rim of your cat’s ear.
Newly diagnosed diabetic cats given Lantus as the first insulin have the best chance of remission. This means they may return to being a normal, non-diabetic cat. Lantus means easier control of diabetes, which translates to fewer trips to the vet, which translates to less money spent.
Can a diabetic cat go into remission?
Sometimes cats that have gone into remission will experience flare-ups and will still need to take insulin once in a while to control their diabetes. Owners need to be committed to caring for their diabetic cat for life, he says.
Can a 7 year old cat be diabetic?
Cats under 7 years of age rarely get diabetes. Overweight cats are more prone to become diabetic than cats of healthy weight; males are slightly more likely to become diabetic than females. Each cat’s diabetes is an specific condition; your veterinarian will provide individualized treatment for your pet based on his symptoms.
What happens when a cat does not have enough insulin?
Diabetes occurs when your cat doesn’t produce enough insulin, which helps his body’s cells absorb the glucose in his blood. Not enough insulin means the glucose stays in the bloodstream until it works through his kidneys and is eliminated through his urine. Symptoms Your cat will not simply wake up one day and have full-blown diabetes.
What happens when a diabetic cat stops eating?
When a diabetic cat stops eating for whatever reason, their glucose levels will still stay elevated because they are diabetic. The fact that your kitty’s blood glucose got too low means either he got too much insulin and became hypoglycemic or he has lost his insulin requirements and is no longer diabetic (yes,…
How long does it take for diabetes in cats to go away?
The good news is that if you are a dedicated cat owner, you can help make the diabetes go away quickly – within 1-2 years, if not sooner! That’s because in cats, DM is often transient and with appropriate therapy (including insulin injections, diet changes and veterinary care), your cat can be successfully treated – and even cured.
Diabetes in Older Cats. Incidence and causes of diabetes in cats Diabetes develops in about 1 in 100-200 cats 1. An increased incidence of diabetes mellitus has been noted in Burmese cats in Australia and the UK. Diabetes mellitus can occur due to a deficiency of insulin or because of an inability of the body to respond to insulin 2.
What are the goals of diabetic cats treatment?
The goals of treating cats with diabetes include: Restoring normal blood glucose concentration (glycemic control) Minimizing or eliminating signs of weight loss. Minimizing or eliminating signs of increased thirst and urination. Normalizing the appetite. Avoiding inducing inappropriately low blood glucose levels with therapy.
Who is most at risk for type 2 diabetes in cats?
Which cats are most at risk? Diabetes, and Type II diabetes specifically, is a very common disorder in cats. The condition is most common in overweight, neutered male cats over 8 years of age, and those that exclusively eat a high carbohydrate diet (which includes pretty much any diet of dry cat food).
Can a cat be diabetic without insulin injections?
With early, aggressive treatment of diabetes, many cats will enter a state of diabetic remission, meaning they are able to maintain normal blood sugar levels without insulin injections.
What you should know when your cat has diabetes?
Watch your cat’s water bowl to see if the water levels are decreasing more quickly than usual. You should also be mindful about whether your cat is searching for alternative water sources – like drinking out of the sink, the toilet, or other unusual locations. A diabetic cat will seem to be constantly drinking water.
What are signs that cat has diabetes?
Feline Diabetes Symptoms. Due to an increased level of glucose in the blood, a diabetic cat will experience the following symptoms: Increased thirst. Increased appetite. More frequent urination. Weight loss.
How does vet determine if cat has diabetes?
Initial symptoms of diabetes can include increase or decrease in appetite, increased drinking and urination, lethargy and sometimes, weakness in the hind legs. The only way to know if your cat has diabetes is to have her evaluated in person by the vet and have a routine senior blood panel run.
How do you treat cat with diabetes?
Treatment options include insulin, tablets, weight control and a switch to a cat diabetic diet (low calories and carbs, higher levels of protein). With treatment the disease can be managed effectively, enabling your cat to live an excellent quality of life.”.
Which cats are most at risk? Diabetes, and Type II diabetes specifically, is a very common disorder in cats. The condition is most common in overweight, neutered male cats over 8 years of age, and those that exclusively eat a high carbohydrate diet (which includes pretty much any diet of dry cat food).
Keep in mind with the right diet, some cats can go into diabetic remission, where they no longer have low insulin levels. Over time you may be able to reduce the amount of insulin you give your cat or not need to give them insulin at all.
How long does it take for a diabetic cat to adjust to new food?
Increase the amount over time so your cat gets used to the new food. For example, you may give your cat ¼ of its old food and ¼ of a can of high protein, low carbohydrate food to start. Over a week to two weeks, you can increase the amount of new food in your cat’s diet.
What kind of insulin do you give a diabetic cat?
I begin all cats on an insulin called Lantus (glargine). Research has shown that early treatment with Lantus gives the best possibility of remission. The cost is about $100 per bottle $285 per bottle (updated Jan. 2018) and can last up to six months.
The glucometers are cheap and your vet can easily teach you how to get a drop of blood from the rim of your cat’s ear. Cat diabetics should be treated as human diabetics: you should know the blood glucose of your cat before ever giving an insulin injection.
How much insulin to give to a diabetic cat?
Most diabetic cats will not need more than 10 ml of insulin within a 40 days. Mildly diabetic cats may not even need 2.7 ml of insulin over the same period. Two U-40 syringes per day are needed to give insulin.
What is the best insulin for cats?
Protamine Zinc Insulin (PZI) is the best choice for cats. It is gentle, predictable insulin that drops the BG slowly and is Dr. Hodgkin’s preferred insulin when it comes to felines.
What happens without insulin on a diabetic cat?
“Without insulin, [a cat’s] body can’t use glucose . So in the beginning you notice your cat is really hungry and is still losing weight,” says Koble. “The body also tries to dilute the high sugar by increasing the thirst, so cats that are diabetic will drink and urinate much more than a healthy cat.”
Are there alternatives to insulin for a diabetic cat?
The Diet Alternative. One alternative to insulin is a well-controlled diet, although diet is important even when insulin is administered. A cat with diabetes needs food high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Severely diabetic felines may not thrive on this approach alone, but it can be effective in combination with insulin.
I can’t recommend strongly enough purchasing your own glucometer and testing your cat’s blood glucose at home. This is the best way to treat a diabetic cat. The glucometers are cheap and your vet can easily teach you how to get a drop of blood from the rim of your cat’s ear.
When a diabetic cat stops eating for whatever reason, their glucose levels will still stay elevated because they are diabetic. The fact that your kitty’s blood glucose got too low means either he got too much insulin and became hypoglycemic or he has lost his insulin requirements and is no longer diabetic (yes,…
What is the best treatment for feline diabetes?
These goals are best achieved through a combination of insulin and dietary therapy. Injectable insulin is a mainstay of treatment for feline diabetes. Unlike humans with Type II diabetes, oral medications to reduce blood sugar such as glipizide have not shown to be consistently effective in cats.
What should I do if my cat has diabetes?
If your cat is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, it means that his pancreas is not producing enough insulin to regulate the amount of sugar in his bloodstream. In most cases of feline diabetes, insulin is the treatment of choice. The thought of giving insulin injections daily is…
What does diabetes mellitus mean for a cat?
If your cat is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, it means that his pancreas is not producing enough insulin to regulate the amount of sugar in his bloodstream. In most cases of feline diabetes, insulin is the treatment of choice.
Cats under 7 years of age rarely get diabetes. Overweight cats are more prone to become diabetic than cats of healthy weight; males are slightly more likely to become diabetic than females. Each cat’s diabetes is an specific condition; your veterinarian will provide individualized treatment for your pet based on his symptoms.
How long can a cat live with diabetes untreated?
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the average indoor cat lives for 13 to 17 years. Properly medicated diabetic cats have the same average longevity as healthy non-diabetic cats. But cats with untreated diabetes may succumb sooner, due to health problems that can develop as side effects of diabetes.
How old was my diabetic cat when he died?
I have now had 2 cats that were diabetic. Both at the age of 8. My first diabetic cat lived to be 16 & had insulin shots twice a day. I just lost my second diabetic cat Monday at the age of 13. He also received shots twice a day. I have 13 years now of dealing with diabetic cats & hope I never have to do this again.
Please don’t put your cat down or worse, leave the diabetes untreated (a slow, painful death). If you can’t afford or commit to treatment, you might be able to find someone who is willing to care for a diabetic kitty. Best of luck. Loading… My cat is 15 and has had diabetes for the last 10 years.
Can a cat with diabetes live a long life?
Cats with diabetes need extra care and love but can definitely live a long and happy life. Please if you cannot afford or commit to caring for this type of cat try to find someone who will. Loading… If you want to get notified by every reply to your post, please register. It is FREE!
How often should I Feed my diabetic cat fancy feast?
Now, with the wet food, I am attempting scheduled feedings 2x a day- at 8am and 8pm. I give him 1 can of 3oz Fancy Feast each time. The vet said to take it away after 10 minutes. But, despite begging and acting starving, he will only eat about 1oz before walking away!