Vitamin E in the Treatment of Feline Diabetes

Feline diabetes is a relatively common disorder in cats, and there are numerous treatments available for a cat that has developed diabetes. Generally, the symptoms of feline diabetes and its corresponding treatments are similar to those in humans, except that cats may receive an extra glucose regulatory boost from consuming supplements like vanadium, chromium and vitamin E.

  1. Feline Diabetes

    • According to Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, the symptoms of feline diabetes include ravenous appetite, weight loss, increased urination and increased water consumption. Almost immediately upon being diagnosed, a diabetic cat will require the creation of a diet, exercise and insulin injection plan. Vitamin E may be used as a supplement to help regulate a cat's glucose levels; however, it cannot be the core part of a plan to cope with feline diabetes.

    Advanced Feline Diabetes

    • Vitamin E serves a less substantial purpose if early onset feline diabetes goes undetected and develops into ketoacidosis, which can be fatal. According to Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, the symptoms of ketoacidosis can include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, dehydration and breathing abnormalities. Ketoacidosis can cause kidney damage, skin infections and bacterial infections. Vitamin E has no meaningful role treating these more complicated disorders.

    Treatment of Feline Diabetes with Vitamin E

    • Vitamin E may be used limitedly to treat feline diabetes. According to Robert Goldstein, VMD, up to 200 IU (international units) of vitamin E should be used as a supplement in the diet of a cat with diabetes. Dr. Goldstein suggests that vitamin E can help increase circulation and limit inflammation of the pancreas, allowing greater nutrients through the bloodstream and limiting some of the worst dangers of feline diabetes. Also, according to Dr. Goldstein, vitamin E should be placed directly onto a cat's food by piercing the pill and allowing the vitamin E to seep onto food like a gravy.

    Long-Term Treatment

    • Combined with a consistent diet and insulin injection plan, vitamin E can be useful as part of a long-term plan to help a cat owner control the glucose level of their diabetic cat. Overall, however, other factors such as the weight of the diabetic cat, its regular intake of carbohydrates, and the regularity of its received insulin injections will have greater bearing on its diabetes than the inclusion of a daily vitamin E supplement.

    Maintaining Vitamin E Treatments While Out of Town

    • To ensure vitamin E treatments are administered while they are away from home, owners of diabetic cats are encouraged to consult with a local veterinarian for boarding options. Frequently, veterinarians offer boarding services and are willing to continue all aspects of a cat's diet, including regularly administering vitamin E treatments.