Feline diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic condition where a cat’s body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it produces. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, is responsible for regulating blood sugar, or glucose, levels in the body. When insulin is deficient or ineffective, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream instead of being absorbed by cells for energy. This leads to elevated blood sugar levels, which can cause a range of health issues if left unmanaged. While a serious diagnosis, feline diabetes is frequently manageable with consistent care, allowing many affected cats to maintain a good quality of life.
Identifying the Signs of Feline Diabetes
Several changes in a cat’s behavior and physical condition can suggest diabetes. A common sign is increased thirst (polydipsia), as the body attempts to compensate for fluid loss. This often accompanies increased urination (polyuria), because high blood sugar levels cause excess glucose to spill into the urine, drawing water along with it.
Despite an increased appetite (polyphagia), many diabetic cats experience unexplained weight loss. This occurs because their cells are unable to access glucose for energy, forcing the body to break down fat and muscle. Some cats may also show lethargy or general weakness, reflecting their body’s reduced energy utilization. In more advanced cases, a distinct change in gait, specifically walking on the hocks with the hind legs flat on the ground (plantigrade stance), can indicate nerve damage.
Diagnosis and Initial Veterinary Care
A veterinarian establishes a definitive diagnosis of feline diabetes after a thorough examination. The diagnostic process typically involves specific laboratory tests to confirm persistently high blood glucose levels. Blood tests measure hyperglycemia, an elevated concentration of glucose in the blood.
Urinalysis also detects glucose and sometimes ketones in the urine. While a single high blood glucose reading might occur due to stress during a veterinary visit, a fructosamine test provides a more accurate picture by indicating average blood sugar levels over the preceding one to three weeks. This differentiates stress-induced hyperglycemia from true diabetes, ensuring an accurate diagnosis.
Core Treatment and Management
Managing feline diabetes primarily involves insulin therapy and careful dietary adjustments. Since the diabetic cat’s body produces insufficient or ineffective insulin, external injections are necessary to regulate blood sugar.
Insulin injections are administered under the skin, typically twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart. While giving injections may seem daunting, the needles are very fine, and cats tolerate the process well due to their loose skin. Veterinarians provide detailed instructions and training on proper injection techniques and syringe types, such as U-100 or U-40, which must match the insulin concentration.
Dietary management is an important part of treatment for diabetic cats. A low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet is generally recommended, often in the form of canned food. Cats are obligate carnivores, and a diet with at least 40-50% protein and less than 10% carbohydrates (on a dry matter basis) helps stabilize blood glucose levels by minimizing rapid sugar spikes after meals.
Consistency in feeding times and insulin administration is essential for effective management. This routine helps maintain stable blood glucose levels throughout the day and reduces fluctuations. Regular meal portions also help manage the cat’s weight, often a contributing factor to insulin resistance.
Home Monitoring and Routine
Consistent home monitoring is essential for effectively managing feline diabetes and assessing treatment efficacy. Owners are encouraged to perform at-home blood glucose monitoring using a handheld glucometer. Blood samples are typically collected from a small vein in the cat’s earflap, which provides more accurate readings than those taken in a veterinary clinic due to reduced stress.
Owners should also monitor for signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can occur if too much insulin is given or if the cat does not eat enough. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include weakness, lethargy, disorientation, staggering, tremors, or even seizures. If these signs appear, immediate action is necessary, such as rubbing a small amount of honey or corn syrup on the cat’s gums, and contacting a veterinarian without delay.
Maintaining a detailed log of glucose readings, food intake, insulin doses, and any observed clinical signs is beneficial. This information provides the veterinarian with a comprehensive overview of the cat’s response to treatment. Regular communication with the veterinary team allows for timely adjustments to insulin dosages and dietary plans, optimizing long-term health.
Risk Factors and Potential for Remission
Several factors can increase a cat’s likelihood of developing diabetes. Obesity is a significant risk factor, as excess body fat can lead to insulin resistance, where the body’s cells do not respond adequately to insulin. Other contributing factors include increasing age, male gender, and being neutered.
Concurrent medical conditions like chronic pancreatitis or the use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids, can also predispose cats to diabetes. While these factors increase risk, proper management can mitigate their impact. Addressing obesity through controlled weight loss is often a primary goal, as it can improve insulin sensitivity.
Diabetic remission occurs when some cats achieve normal blood sugar levels without needing insulin injections. This is more likely to occur in cats whose diabetes is diagnosed early and treated promptly with insulin therapy and a low-carbohydrate diet soon after diagnosis. While remission indicates recovery, it does not mean the diabetes is cured. Continued dietary management and monitoring are still needed to prevent relapse.