Feline Diabetes Diagnosis

How is a cat diagnosed with diabetes? If your cat shows some of the symptoms which are common in diabetes mellitus, it does not necessarily mean that your animal has diabetes. Most of the signs and symptoms of diabetes also occur in many other feline diseases. So your veterinarian also needs to do lab tests in order to make a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus; not just a physical exam.

The diagnosis of feline diabetes is usually based on the occurrence of high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) even when fasting, glucose in the urine (glucosuria) and also clinical signs. All of these must be done as clinical signs alone could be a sign of hyperthyroidism or even renal failure. But lab tests alone are not enough to make a diagnosis either.

History

The vet needs to know the history of onset, the duration and the severity of the symptoms and signs.

Lab Evaluation

Lab testing is considered essential to make a diagnosis of diabetes. With diabetes there will be persistent high glucose levels found in the blood as well as the urine.

Physical Exam

With a physical exam, the vet can find dehydration, depression, unkempt hair or coat and a change in weight. In some cats the vet may find enlarged kidneys and a enlarged liver.

The remainder of the blood and lab work will show increased enzymes from the liver and high cholesterol may also be seen. Sodium, potassium and phosphorous will usually be below normal.

But, in some normal cats there may be a condition known as Stress-Induced Hyperglycemia. This is high blood glucose induced by stress. Cats can very rapidly develop high blood glucose levels from something as simple as being in a vet’s office. This is the reason that the urine of the cat must always be examined and show high blood glucose before a diagnosis of diabetes can be made. If the vet finds it difficult to make a determination between hyperglycemia or glucosuria is due to stress or diabetes, another lab test can be done which measures the level of fructosamine in the blood.

Just always remember that stress can induce many of the same symptoms in cats as diabetes and other diseases, so a complete chemistry blood and urine panel needs to be done by your vet in order to make the correct diagnosis.