Feline Diabetes & Corticosteroids

If your cat suffers from diabetes and is prescribed corticosteroids for inflammation, you should monitor her carefully during and after the course of her treatment, as steroids may counter the effect of insulin and cause spikes in her blood sugar levels. Better yet, ask your veterinarian if an alternative, non-steroidal treatment is available. Even non-diabetic cats may develop temporary or permanent diabetes after being treated with corticosteroids, so consider the risks versus benefits of any steroid regimen before agreeing to the course of treatment.

  1. Types and Uses

    • There are many different types of steroids used in treating medical conditions in cats. These include creams, injections, oral medications, ointments and skin preparations that combine steroidal medications with other ingredients.

      The most common corticosteroid used in treating allergic and inflammatory disorders in cats include gluccocorticoids, or "catabolic" steroids, which break down large molecules into smaller ones and cause stored carbohydrates to be converted back into glucose and emptied back into the bloodstream. They also reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system in the body. This can be a helpful effect in cats that suffer from autoimmune disorders, where the body attacks its own immune system. Gluccocorticoids are also used in emergency situations to treat an animal for shock and to help reduce the size of tumors in cancer patients.

    Side Effects

    • When your cat is given steroids to treat a medical condition, his blood sugar will become abnormally high due to the excessive production of glucose in his body. As this happens, his body's need for insulin will increase substantially, and he may develop temporary or permanent diabetes. If he already has diabetes, his blood sugar levels can become severely unstable, and his diabetic symptoms may worsen.

    Symptoms of Diabetes

    • Symptoms of diabetes in cats include excessive thirst, vomiting, lethargy, weakness, poor coat quality, dry skin, dehydration, panting, weight loss, lack of appetite and frequent urination.

    Testing

    • If you notice any of the symptoms of diabetes after your cat has been treated with corticosteroids, ask your vet to perform tests on your cat's blood sugar levels and to check for sugar in your cat's urine. If your cat was diabetic before being treated with steroids, and you notice a worsening or recurrence of previously controlled symptoms, ask your vet to re-check your cat's insulin and blood sugar levels.

    Treatment

    • If your cat becomes diabetic after receiving corticosteroid treatment, or if your cat's previously diagnosed diabetes worsens after receiving treatment with steroids, speak to your vet about removing your cat from the steroid therapy if she is still on it. Feed your cat a diet that is low in carbohydrates and high in quality proteins. Use a glucometer to monitor your cat's glucose levels throughout the day, and inject your cat with insulin as prescribed by your vet or as needed.

    Prognosis

    • Cats with feline diabetes often require only temporary insulin treatments, and with the proper, low-carbohydrate diet, their diabetes can be easily managed in 60-80 percent of cases.

    • If your cat is diagnosed with diabetes caused by coricosteroid use, or if your cat's diabetes worsens due to the use of corticosteroids, follow your vet's advice about proper care and treatment. It may be that your cat will only need temporary insulin treatments and that, with dietary changes and careful monitoring, your cat's diabetes can be easily managed throughout his life.