Feline diabetes is found more in older, male cats, though younger cats of both genders may develop this condition. It is also found more in obese cats. Left untreated, this disorder can significantly shorten a cat's lifespan. The first step in addressing this issue is to identify it as the problem. Fortunately, this illness is not difficult to diagnose.
Things You'll Need
- Veterinarian
Instructions
Monitor your cat's appetite and weight. Appetite often increases but weight decreases in diabetes.
Observe how often your pet urinates. Diabetes will increase the amount of urination.
Watch your cat for water intake. Diabetes causes excessive thirst.
Pet your cat and ascertain the coat condition. If it is poor, this is another sign that he may have diabetes.
Observe your cat's activity level to see if she is less active than before or exhibiting significant lethargy. This can be another symptom of diabetes.
Take your cat to the veterinarian for a blood test. Normal blood sugar is 80-120 mg/dl. In a cat with diabetes it will be over 200 mg/dl and as high as 600 mg/dl. The vet will also check the urine for evidence of glucose.
Ask your veterinarian to differentiate between diabetes and hyperglycemia. This is accomplished by testing serum fructosamine. This is a blood test that can be done the same time as the blood sugar test. Serum froctosamine is much higher in cats with diabetes