Diabetes in Old Cats

Diabetes is not uncommon for cats that are advancing in age according to the Feline Diabetes website. For pet owners, this can be a troublesome and sometimes expensive problem to manage. Nevertheless, treatment is available that can help manage the symptoms and provide comfort to the animal.

  1. Symptoms

    • As the 2ndchance website notes, a cat's eating and drinking habits are often affected by diabetes. Increased thirst is a common symptom, as is increased urination. Because of this, weight loss often occurs. This causes the cat to become lethargic and less playful than it was before. The cat's outward appearance also sometimes changes, with its coat losing fur.

    Considerations

    • The 2ndchance website warns that cats can die from lack of treatment for the disease. A veterinary examination includes blood and urine tests, as the symptoms of diabetes have much in common with other feline diseases.

    Warning

    • According to sniksnak.com's cat health section, if the cat is not treated soon, the symptoms become much more severe. Older cats lack the strength and natural ability to fight off diseases like younger cats do. Untreated cats often experience extreme depression, bouts of vomiting, and rapid breathing. Some cats are unable to urinate.

    Treatment

    • Not all cats with diabetes need insulin injections, says 2ndchance.com.. Vets test the cat's glucose level is. If it isn't too high, the vet recommends modifications to the cat's diet to help control the diabetes. Diets rich in fiber have been known to be helpful. A cat may also receive oral hypoglycemic agents. Most cats do require insulin injections, as 70 to 80 percent of the cats have severe enough symptoms necessitate it. Cats that take insulin injections are kept inside to be monitored against insulin overdose.

    Emergiencies

    • According to 2ndchance, If your cat appears to be more sluggish and disoriented than usual, is unconscious, or having a seizure, you must do something to raise the cat's blood glucose levels immediately. If the cat is able, getting it to eat something can help accomplish this. Also, dipping a cotton ball or something similar into Karo or maple syrup and applying it to the cat's gums can be effective. The gums will absorb the sugar and help the cat feel better.