Feline Diabetes Glucose Levels

Diabetes is a common disease in cats that is caused by the inability of the cat's insulin hormone to balance blood sugar (glucose) levels. It can either be caused by insufficient production of insulin by the pancreas, or improper usage of insulin within the body's cells. According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, diabetes is most common in older, overweight male cats.

  1. Glucose Levels

    • Diabetes causes high blood glucose levels because the cat's body is unable to process the glucose in the blood stream. The unprocessed glucose is eliminated in the urine and leads to increased thirst and excessive urination. Glucose levels in diabetic cats can also drop dangerously low, in a condition known as hypoglycemia. This condition is caused by an overdose of insulin in diabetic cats and can be life-threatening.

    Glucose Monitoring

    • In order to keep your diabetic cat's glucose levels within a safe range, monitoring must be done. Testing at home is easily accomplished and eliminates costly and time-consuming veterinary office visits. It also allows for more frequent monitoring. In the beginning, glucose levels are monitored to aid in determining the proper dosage of insulin to be given. Later, monitoring is necessary to ensure the cat's insulin needs haven't changed. Blood glucose levels can be checked using a human glucometer and a blood sample taken from either the cat's ear or foot pad. A cat's owner must also be watchful of the cat's water intake, urine output, appetite and weight.

    Insulin Regulation

    • Most cats with diabetes require insulin injections twice a day to keep glucose levels within a normal range. The amount of insulin given to the cat is determined by a veterinarian based on an 18- to 24-hour blood glucose profile. The amount of insulin required might change with time, so glucose monitoring is needed to continually ensure the cat is receiving the proper dosage.

    Lifestyle Regulation

    • In order to regulate glucose levels in cats, modifications in the feeding routine is typically necessarily. Cats with diabetes respond well to either high-fiber diets or low-carbohydrate diets. The type of diet best for the cat is determined by trial and error. Also, cats with diabetes should not be allowed to eat whenever they desire. They should be fed a portion of their meal with each insulin injection. If a cat is overweight, gradually reducing its caloric intake to encourage weight loss is essential.

    Medication Regulation

    • Some cats with diabetes are treated with an oral medication called glipizide. It works to lower glucose levels in cats. It does not work in all cats and is not the favored long-term solution for treating diabetes.