What age do cats usually get diabetes?
Age has been identified as the single most important risk factor. Diabetes occurs in a wide age range of cats, but most cats are over 6 years of age when diagnosed. The average age at diagnosis is 10 years and the peak incidence is between 9 and 13 years. Diabetes in young cats is extremely rare.
How often should you diagnose a cat with diabetes?
These assessments may need to be performed every few weeks when a cat is first diagnosed with diabetes in order to determine the appropriate dose of insulin, but can be spaced out further once the diabetes is more well-regulated.
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.
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.
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).
Is it normal for a cat to have diabetes?
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. An increased incidence of diabetes mellitus has been noted in Burmese cats in Australia and the UK.
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.
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.
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.