This illness does not however mean that the cats are on the verge of dying. They can in fact lead a long and healthy life for quite a while to come. All that you need to do as the caretaker is ensure that their blood sugars are constantly regulated.
Your vet will conduct tests to distinguish between hyperglycemia and diabetes. Research has shown that neutered male cats too are more prone to diabetes.
Cat diabetes symptoms to watch out for
The most common of symptoms for feline diabetes is that your cat will begin to drink more water. You will also notice an increase in the frequency of urination. Despite having an increased appetite your cat may not show any signs of looking healthy or putting on weight.
Your cat may also begin to walk on its hocks (also called plantigrade posture). You may also notice a sudden formation of cataracts in its eyes. If these cat diabetes symptoms are ignored for a while, there are chances the cat will become ketotic.
This is the use of body fat to create energy. If your cat has reached this stage, chances are that you will notice depression, fatigue as well as vomiting in your cat. There could also be a very rapid breathing style as well as a breath that smells of acetone. These are surefire signs that your cat needs to be taken to the veterinarian.
Diagnosis and treatment plans
Based on these cat diabetes symptoms your vet will check the blood sugar levels of your cat. This should be in the range of 80-120mg/dl.
A cat is considered diabetic if the blood sugar level is around 200 mg/dl or higher. The cat’s urine will be tested for glucose. This is also a means of ruling out any other illnesses that display similar sets of symptoms.
Treatments plans are similar to what humans undergo. Insulin and dietary changes is what your vet will recommend. It is your duty to maintain a strict watch on food intake as well as insulin regulation.
Vets normally prescribe a high fiber diet as well as complex carbs to be included. Such diets will help regulate glucose levels in your cat’s body. Insulin injections are given via the skin and your vet will prescribe how much and how many times this has to be administered.
Overall, feline diabetes does not mean the end of the world for your cat. Of course, it may not be as playful as it was earlier. However, it will have a good life provided you look after it well once diagnosed. You will have to take it for regular blood sugar tests.
There is a chance your pet might go into remission. However, even at this stage it would make more sense to regulate his or her diet as well as to conduct periodic checks to ensure that your cat has not slipped again.