Feline Diabetes Symptoms
So, your dear cat Fluffy is not acting as she normally does, and your sister or neighbor told you that maybe Fluffy has diabetes. You didn’t even know that cats could have diabetes so you are here seeking answers. Perhaps this article can help in some way.
Diabetes mellitus is a fairly common disease in cats, especially cats that are older and overweight. Diabetes in cats has many causes but the end results for any cause of diabetes is either a decrease in insulin secretion or cells which are resistant to insulin. Both of these lead to hyperglycemia which is an increase in blood sugar in the blood system of the affected animal.
Now please don’t be scared because cats with diabetes can live many long years after their blood glucose level is regulated.
The symptoms of diabetes mellitus in cats include:
- Increased thirst
- Increased appetite
- Excessive urination
- Weight loss
- Dehydration
- Plantigrade posture (walking on their hocks)
- Urinary tract infections
Diabetes in cats copies to some extend Type 2 diabetes in humans. But if the disease is left untreated the blood glucose will continue to elevate causing the beta cells in the pancreas to overwork which leads to the death of these beta cells. This eventually leads to Type 1 diabetes which needs treatment with insulin. But, hyperglycemia can also be caused by stress.
The veterinarian or doctor that you take your cat to will do tests and be able to tell if your cat has stress or diabetes.
This disease seems to be most common in neutered male cats as well as obese cats but heredity can also be a factor.
If diabetes goes too long without being treated, your cat may become ketotic. A ketotic cat may have other symptoms, which include:
- Weakness
- Depression
- Rapid breathing
- Vomiting
- Odor of acetone on breath
If your cat has any of these symptoms you need to take the cat to get medical attention immediately.
