Why are cats more at risk for diabetes?
Perhaps because cats are living longer lives and many cats are overweight, the incidence of “sugar diabetes” or diabetes mellitus is becoming more commonly diagnosed in pet cats. It is likely that cats sharing a home and a lifestyle are equally at risk for the disease.
What happens if a cat is undiagnosed with diabetes?
When these signs occur, the health of the cat is in the most jeopardy. Diabetes is often easily diagnosed and controllable. However, when undiagnosed or poorly managed, diabetes can be devastating and lead to a variety of debilitating, expensive, and potentially fatal conditions. Some of these conditions are outlined below.
What to do if your cat has diabetes?
A proper diet and regular exercise can go a long way to avoiding the development of feline diabetes. Aside from other negative effects, obesity is also known to contribute to insulin resistance.
What happens if your cat has high blood sugar?
Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic (HHNK) Syndrome: An uncommon complication of undiagnosed or unregulated diabetes, HHNK occurs when your cat’s blood sugar rises so high that urine is produced at a higher rate than the cat can drink water. This leads to a severe imbalance within the blood and other tissues of the body.
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.
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).
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.
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 are the signs of diabetes in cats?
Early signs of diabetes may be subtle and mild — weight loss, increased hunger and thirst are examples. Blood and urine tests are necessary to diagnose the disease and most cats (once diagnosed and treated appropriately) live very normal lives. Diabetes develops in about 1 in 100-200 cats 1.
Why does my Burmese cat have diabetes mellitus?
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. Without insulin, the body can’t utilize glucose.
What happens to a diabetic cat’s kidneys?
In diabetic cats, excess glucose is eliminated by the kidneys, producing frequent urination. There is a need to compensate for the increased urination by drinking unusual amounts of water.
How old does a cat have to be to have diabetes?
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).
When these signs occur, the health of the cat is in the most jeopardy. Diabetes is often easily diagnosed and controllable. However, when undiagnosed or poorly managed, diabetes can be devastating and lead to a variety of debilitating, expensive, and potentially fatal conditions. Some of these conditions are outlined below.
What are the pros and cons of diabetic cats?
Diabetes is more common in male cats, and the statistics show that males have a slightly better chance of reversing their diabetes. Anywhere from 30–90% of cats will return to normal with early diagnosis and treatment. 3. Better diets are helping diabetic cats live healthier lives.
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.
What kind of diabetes does a cat have?
Diabetes is a chronic illness that changes how carbohydrates are processed in your cat’s body due to insulin resistance or a poor response to natural insulin.
How old is Bill the cat with diabetes?
Frostig has kept his cat on a strict regimen of diet and insulin shots, and now it’s hard to tell that Bill is anything but a normal, healthy cat — or that he is 15 years old. “He’s still running around the house like he’s young,” Frostig says.
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. Without insulin, the body can’t utilize glucose.