Diabetes is a complex, often misunderstood illness in all species, but if you find your pet diagnosed with diabetes, don't panic. Diabetes is highly treatable in felines, and a diabetic cat can live a long, healthy life if you're willing to put forth the effort to care for him. Chances are, you're now scratching your head and wondering--perhaps guiltily--what caused this illness. To understand the causes of feline diabetes, you must first understand the disease itself.
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What is Feline Diabetes?
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Much like diabetes in humans, diabetes in cats is a common disorder caused by the inability of the hormone insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Blood sugar, or glucose, feeds a body its energy. As food is consumed, insulin is secreted from the pancreas and should signal to blood cells that any sugars in the blood need to be converted into that energy. According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, in a feline patient with diabetes, this communication is flawed, and as a result, the cat's body basically begins to starve itself to death over time. Also like humans, cats can develop either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, but with some differences. Type 1 diabetes occurs when a cat's pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin to sustain it, and Type 2 diabetes occurs when a cat's cells do not respond to insulin.
Symptoms
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Excessive urination is the most easily recognizable sign of diabetes in cats. Other symptoms include excessive thirst, increased appetite, lethargy and either weight gain or weight loss. These symptoms occur when the cat's body begins trying to flush excess sugar from its system and can be either gradual or happen quickly. At the first sign of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian. Remember, cats are good at hiding illness and can still be alert and active in the early stages of diabetes, but as the condition progresses, these symptoms will become more obvious.
Causes
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It is unknown what causes diabetes in cats, but researchers suspect the same causes apply in felines as in humans. Diabetes can affect any cat at any age, but the majority of diabetic cats are older and obese. Genetics, age, hormonal imbalances, obesity and certain medications are all possible factors in developing the illness. An animal can be born diabetic or develop it over time. Statistics provided by the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine indicate that male cats are more likely to be stricken with diabetes than female cats. Certain breeds, such as Burmese cats, also seem to have a higher instance of diabetes.
"Regulating your pet's diet and weight and making sure they receive regular veterinary exams is the best way that concerned pet owners can try and prevent diabetes from developing in their animals," said Dr. Peggy Champion, a longtime practicing veterinarian and head of Tri County Technical College's veterinary technology department in Pendleton, S.C.
Diagnosis and Treatment
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Only a veterinarian can determine if your cat if diabetic by running tests on urine and blood samples. Once diagnosed, your veterinarian's involvement in the treatment will be key. Treatment generally requires daily insulin injections and can include diet regulation and oral medicines. Furthermore, treatment for diabetes isn't as expensive as you might imagine. Insulin is relatively cost effective to acquire and administer.
Is It a Death Sentence?
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No. Many cats diagnosed with diabetes live long, happy lives once their insulin levels are put in balance through regular treatment. Many owners say their cats do not seem to notice when given the daily insulin injections. It's very important to maintain regular veterinarian visits once diagnosed and to follow treatment plans as directed. If left untreated, your pet will likely die.
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