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Feline Diabetes
Feline diabetes is treatable, but first you have to know how to detect (suspect) diabetes.
If your cat displays one or more of the following symptoms you should take it to your vet; period. While at the Vet make sure they test for diabetes.
Vomiting, unexplained weight loss, increased thirst, an increase in urination, sudden weakness and/or loss of appetite, trouble breathing, change in skin tone or coat.
Treatment of diabetes is through a combination of diet and insulin. Your vet will have to establish a diet plan and teach you how to administer the insulin (usually by injection, but sometimes oral medications can be prescribed). Make sure you follow the vet's treatment plan closely, as wild swings in blood glucose levels are dangerous to your cat's welfare and longevity.
Also talk to your vet about home testing blood sugar levels in your cat. It is usually less stressful on the cat, easier on your pocketbook, and gives you a continuing peace of mind that your cat is maintaining proper blood glucose levels.
One of the best web sites for feline diabetes is Feline Diabetes.com. Here you will find definitions of the disease, treatment and monitoring, diets and commercial cat food comparisons, help in finding a vet, and a host of other related articles including QandA's from cat owners, and additional web links.
You can help reduce your cat's risk for diabetes, especially as it grows older, by keeping its weight in an acceptable range. Don't let your friend become obese. Talk to your vet about the best weight for the breed and age of your companion.
- Sugar Cats: http://sugarcats.com/headquarters.asp
- Pets with Diabetes: http://www.petdiabetes.org
- The Diabetes Monitor: http://www.diabetesmonitor.com/pets.htm
- Cornell Vet School: http://web.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FHC/diabetes.html
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