Prednisone as a Cause of Diabetes in Cats

Prednisone is an anti-inflammatory drug often prescribed for infections, immune system disorder, and pain. Cats commonly take prednisone to help manage irritable bowel syndrome. VetInfo.com says that prednisone has been linked to the onset of diabetes, although it is not clear to vets yet whether the drug causes diabetes or merely predisposes the cat to it.

  1. Side Effects and Diabetes

    • Prednisone often causes weight gain and fluid retention in cats, according to VetInfo.com. Obesity is known to increase the risk of diabetes both in cats and humans; the weight gain itself may be a contributing factor to the onset of the disease. In addition, prednisone increases insulin resistance in cats. Increased insulin resistance leads to higher blood sugar levels, which also is an indicator of diabetes.

    Dosage Problems

    • Cats often require high doses of prednisone to heal infections or inflammation, according to NativeRemedies.com. This increases the chance that they will suffer negative effects from the medication, including the insulin resistance and weight gain mentioned above. High doses of prednisonse also cause high blood pressure, particularly in cats that already are diabetic.

    Diabetes Symptoms

    • If your cat takes or has recently taken prednisone, be alert for early warnings that he has diabetes. Common symptoms include frequent urination, excessive thirst, and weight loss despite eating more than usual. Some cats suffer nerve damage from the onset of diabetes, called feline neuropathy; the main symptom of this type of damage is difficulty walking or jumping. Cats that suffer from neuropathy often crouch rather than walking normally.

    Warnings

    • Cats that already suffer from diabetes should not take prednisone. Increased insulin resistance can cause diabetes to spiral out of control, and increased blood pressure puts strain on the diabetic cat's heart, which already is weakened by the onset of diabetes. Pregnant cats also should not take this medication. Make sure to tell your vet if your cat is pregnant or diabetic so that she can prescribe appropriate medication for other conditions.

    Alternative

    • Mar Vista Animal Medical Center says that antihistamines are effective in treating allergy-related inflammations in cats. Antihistamines do not carry the same risks as prednisone, although the cat may have to take the medication indefinitely.