Diabetes in Elderly Cats

Feline diabetes, a common endocrine disorder, develops when a cat's natural production of insulin is unable to balance blood glucose levels, also known as blood sugar levels, in the body. Feline diabetes occurs more frequently in older, obese cats and is more common in males, but can strike any cat. Rapid diagnosis and treatment is necessary for the cat's survival.

  1. Signs and Symptoms

    • Warning signs and symptoms of feline diabetes are typically gradual and include increased thirst and urination, weight loss, marked loss or increase of appetite, poor skin and coat condition, breathing difficulties or abnormalities, weakness, vomiting and dehydration.

    Diagnosis

    • Feline diabetes is diagnosed by urine and blood tests. The tests measure glucose levels in the blood and urine, as well as liver enzymes, cholesterol, potassium, phosphorous and sodium. Positive tests reveal high blood and urine glucose levels, and may reveal increased liver enzymes, a high cholesterol count, and low levels of sodium, potassium and phosphorous.

    Treatment

    • Treatments for feline diabetes include insulin injections, oral medications and changes in diet. Insulin injections, used to control high blood glucose levels, are injected with a fine needle into the subcutaneous skin of the cat. Oral hypoglycemic medications also lower the blood glucose levels, and are typically given twice daily with food. Dietary changes are especially important for obese, diabetic cats. A diet high in complex carbohydrates and fiber helps to control blood glucose levels and reduce weight. A proper change in diet can eliminate the need for injections or medication in many cats.

      If left untreated, cats may develop ketoacidosis, which is a condition that develops when the cat's insulin supply is depleted. Having no insulin to draw on, the body then starts burning fat to fuel the body. Ketoacidosis is a potentially fatal condition and requires immediate veterinary attention.

    Cost

    • The initial diagnosis may cost between $200 and $300 for a cat in the early stages. Initial costs may be significantly higher with cats in more advanced stages of diabetes. Once the diabetes is under control, the supplies necessary for maintenance (insulin, syringes and prescription diet) typically cost between $30 and $40 a month, and the supplies used for home testing of glucose levels (urine or blood testing strips) average between $10 and $30 a month. In addition, your vet will likely perform blood glucose curve testing periodically, which generally costs between $100 and $150. A blood glucose curve is a series of blood tests taken in one- to two-hour increments after an insulin injection to determine how well the insulin injection is working.

    Prognosis

    • With prompt and proper treatment, diabetes is not a death sentence for cats. While there is no cure, some cats-especially obese cats that lose weight-may eliminate their need for insulin injections or medications altogether. For the others, diabetes can be managed successfully and cats can live in a healthy manner for the remainder of their lives.