Feline Diabetic Shock

Diabetes

• Diabetes occurs when the insulin hormones produced by the body's pancreas are unable to properly balance the body's blood sugar, or glucose, levels. The body uses glucose for energy but without insulin or the proper amount of the hormone, the body cannot process the glucose. Feline diabetes comes in two types, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. With Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar and Type 2 diabetes is when the body's cells don't respond correctly to the insulin. In both cases, the body is unable to properly process the glucose, which results in blood sugar levels that are too high. In cats as well as humans, diabetes is treated with a regulated diet and either oral medications or insulin injections.

Diabetic Shock

• Diabetic shock, also known as hypoglycemia or insulin shock, occurs when there is an overdose of insulin. Giving a diabetic cat too much insulin means that the body will continue processing glucose even when the glucose levels in the blood have dropped too low. When blood sugar levels get too low, the body can go into shock, which is a dangerous and possibly deadly situation.

Symptoms

• It is important for a diabetic cat owner to know the symptoms of diabetic shock in case this life-threatening situation ever occurs. If a cat begins to experience hypoglycemia, it might show signs of an abnormally increased appetite or an extreme lack of appetite, restlessness, weakness, lethargy or head tilting. Left unchecked, symptoms will continue to become more severe. They may include shivering, staggering, lack of coordination, eyesight problems and disorientation, such as yowling, walking in circles and hiding. If left untreated, diabetic shock can lead to convulsions or seizures and eventually the cat will slip into a coma.

Treatment

• If diabetic shock occurs, it is important to try to immediately raise the cat's blood sugar. This can be done by applying corn syrup, maple syrup or honey to the cat's gums, cheeks or under its tongue. The sugar from these substances will be absorbed through the gums or other membranes in the mouth, so the cat does not have to swallow it. Avoid obstructing the cat's airway. Once the syrup or honey has been applied, it will provide a quick boost to the blood sugar level but it will wear off quickly.

  If the cat begins to recover, feed it some of its normal food to continue raising the animal's blood sugar levels. Keep watching the cat for a return of hypoglycemia and, if symptoms return, give the cat more food or syrup when needed. If the cat has entered severe diabetic shock (seizures or a coma), the syrup treatment must be given immediately in small amounts to prevent choking and then call the veterinarian for emergency treatment.

Prevention

• After any occurrence of diabetic shock, mild or severe, a veterinarian should be called. Insulin doses might need to be adjusted to prevent future problems. Diabetic cats should be fed regularly in small amounts throughout the day (two to three times) to prevent a drop in blood sugar and they should be kept inside to keep them from eating anything they shouldn't. Some veterinarians may recommend a diet high in fiber to prevent spikes in blood sugar levels. If a cat requires insulin injections, which is the case with 70 to 80 percent of feline diabetics, until the doses are stabilized, monitor the cat after giving it the insulin dose for any symptoms of hypoglycemia during peaks that may occur four to eight hours after injection.