Advanced Feline Diabetes

Feline diabetes is similar to diabetes in humans. Cats who suffer from this disease do not process blood sugar properly and may have to take insulin or other medications on a daily basis. If your cat's diabetes is not diagnosed or treated at its onset, he may develop serious complications such as blindness, neuropathy and heart disease or even die prematurely.

  1. Neuropathy as Diabetes Symptom

    • Neuropathy is a symptom of advanced feline diabetes that is unfortunately the first symptom some pet owners notice. This condition occurs due to nerve degeneration in cats who have chronic high blood sugar levels. Cats who suffer from neuropathy exhibit weakness in their back legs. They may crouch rather than walk on their toes. If left untreated, neuropathy can spread to the front legs, making it difficult for the cat to walk. Vetinfo says that neuropathy is reversible if treated early, but cats who have advanced neuropathy may never fully recover.

    Other Complications of Advanced Feline Diabetes

    • Advanced feline diabetes causes damage to the cat's liver, kidneys and heart. Cats who suffer from untreated diabetes may also have eye nerve damage or lose their ability to see. If diabetes is not treated, eventually the cat will die of diabetes-related illness such as heart failure.

    Diabetes, Energy, and Ketoacidosis

    • Feline diabetes interferes with your cat's ability to get energy from food if left untreated. In healthy cats, the body breaks down glucose to get energy. In the diabetic cat, glucose breakdown is not possible. The body therefore attempts to gain energy by breaking down fat. This causes acidic waste called ketones to build up in the cat's blood stream causing a potentially fatal disease called ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis causes increased urination, increased thirst, dehydration and weakness. Cat World Australia says it is potentially fatal if untreated.

    Prevention

    • The best way to prevent symptoms of advanced feline diabetes is to take your cat to the vet if she has diabetes symptoms. Symptoms of diabetes include increased hunger and thirst, frequent urination and weight loss despite eating more.

    Treatment

    • If your cat has signs of advanced diabetes, your vet will first attempt to get the diabetes under control. Your cat may require daily insulin shots or oral medication in addition to changes in diet. Once the diabetes is under control, the vet tries to resolve secondary issues such as nerve damage. Vetinfo says that vitamin B12 may reverse some nerve damage caused by advanced feline diabetes; however, if nerve damage is widespread or has occurred over a long period of time, it may not be reversible.