This is a disease that usually occurs in older animals with 75 per cent of affected cats being between eight – 13 years. Diabetes is an extremely complex disease into which a vast amount of research continues. It is thought that overweight cats have a higher chance of developing the disease. The pancreas is the organ responsible for producing the body’s insulin. Diabetic animals either do not produce enough insulin or do not respond properly to it.

Summery of signs:

• Increased drinking
• Increased urination
• Increased appetite
• Weight loss
• Lethargy
• Vomiting

The signs of diabetes are similar to that of other diseases so it is therefore highly probable that the vet will want to take a blood sample to assess glucose levels and to differentiate between the other likely diseases. A urine sample is often necessary and can be obtained by the vet or by you collecting a sample at home. A urine sample would also have high levels of glucose present. The vet may ask you to measure the amount of water your cat is drinking to enable him to calculate whether it is an abnormal quantity or not.

Diabetes is controllable with the help of medicines.

Diet

There are specific diets available to help control diabetes which can be useful to try. In some cats, particularly those that are obese, the disease may resolve once weight reduction is achieved. The most important factor is feeding a diabetic cat is to ensure that he receives a consistent quantity of the same diet every day. It is often practical to weigh the food rations daily to ensure the correct quantity is given.

Oral Medication

A small percentage of cats respond to oral hypoglycaemic drugs (glipizide) along with being placed on a weight-reducing diet. The resulting weight loss and oral medication may allow the diabetes to resolve. However,these cases usually require initial stabilization with insulin therapy and may need to return to such therapy at a later date.

Insulin injections

Most diabetic cats require injections of insulin to control their disease. This is usually required for a lifetime although a few cats may be able to cope with alternative treatment. Injections may be required once or twice daily and it is important that your pet has them at the same time every day. Although injection you cat can seem very daunting at first, your vet will demonstrate the easiest method and will be happy to oversee the procedure until you are confident. The injections are simple and painless and the needle used is tiny. Most owners find it much easier than they first anticipated. The injected insulin replaces the insulin your cat is lacking and it often  takes time to find the correct dose of insulin (‘stabilise’ your cat ). Puss will probably have to spend some time in the hospital to allow blood glucose levels to be measured at regular intervals.

Details taken from one of many Cats Protection leaflets. Please come down to our Eastbourne Adoption Centre to pick up many more factual leaflets.

 

 

When a cat is first diagnosed as diabetic, coping with the daily management of the condition can be a daunting prospect for an owner. That's why a support and advice network is so important and that is exactly what CP has compiled.

The DCR contains details of people who have experience of living with a diabetic cat and are willing to share their knowledge (non veterinary only) on a voluntary basis with worried owners.

If you would like to talk to someone who has been in your position and learned to cope with diabetes mellitus’, the DCR is available by contacting helpline by email at helpline@cats.org.uk or on receipt of an A5 self-addressed-envelope (stamps to the value of 50p) from:

Diabetic Cat Register (Helpline)

Cats Protection

National Cat Centre

Chelwood Gate

Haywards Heath

RH17 7TT

Similarly, if you would like your name to be put on the DCR as a source of assistance to others or if you work for a veterinary practice interested in recommending the scheme to clients, please contact us using the details above (Remember to include your contact details!).