About Boarding and Feline Diabetes

Feline Diabetes

• According to Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine (CUCVM), feline diabetes frequently resembles diabetes in humans, is relatively common and afflicts more male cats than female cats. Obese cats are more likely to develop the disorder. Symptoms of feline diabetes include "ravenous appetite, weight loss, increased urination, and increased water consumption," according to CUCVM. Between 50 and 75 percent of diabetic cats require regular insulin injection to control glucose levels immediately after being diagnosed. Diabetic cats require a diet that limits intake of carbohydrates.

Advanced Feline Diabetes

• Owners of diabetic cats must be extra cautious that the cat's mild case of diabetes does not develop into full-blown ketoacidosis, which can be fatal. Ketoacidosis can lead to liver disease, skin problems and various bacterial infections. According to CUCVM, ketoacidosis is "indicated by loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, dehydration and breathing abnormalities." The breathing abnormality is a highly apparent indicator, a symptom in which the cat's breath will smell like nail polish or fruit. Treating ketoacidosis is much more complicated and not always successful.

Treating Diabetic Cats

• In consultation with a trained veterinarian, owners of diabetic cats should develop a diet, exercise and insulin plan for their cats. This diet plan will likely include a special food with reduced carbohydrates. The insulin injections also require special care and training, because the cat is likely to squirm each time until the shot becomes more regular. A misplaced insulin shot could be extremely dangerous.

Boarding Diabetic Cats

• When the owner of a diabetic cat goes out of town, the cat owner must leave the diabetic cat with a trained person to care for it properly. In many cases, veterinarians have boarding space or know of places that could temporarily board the cat. Leaving the cat with a friend or family member who has no experience with a diabetic cat is warned against, because the result could be injury to the cat through a poorly placed insulin injection or an inappropriate diet. FelineDiabetes.com includes a large database of owners of diabetic cats who can be contacted for consultation and further suggestions.

Prognosis for Diabetic Cats

• Feline diabetes cannot necessarily be cured, though through maintaining a proper health plan for the cat, the need for insulin injections could dissipate. Furthermore, substantial weight loss for obese cats is a frequently successful method for weaning the cat off of insulin injections completely. According to CUCVM, diabetic cats are unlikely to develop coronary artery disease, kidney disease and blood vessel disease that may accompany diabetes in humans. Overall, with proper care and regular consultation with a veterinarian, owners of diabetic cats can ensure their cats live a full life.