Signs and Symptoms of Cat Diabetes

Identification

• A diabetic cat in the very early stages may show few symptoms. However, eventually she will start drinking more water, eating more and urinating more frequently. The amount of urine she passes will also increase. This is the body's way of trying to get rid of extra glucose.
  Cat owners should also observe cats for weight loss. Diabetic cats may have a huge appetite but still lose weight. This occurs because the body is unable to absorb glucose properly and is actually starving.

Considerations

• Cats over 7 years old are at higher risk for diabetes, though the disease can strike at any age. Feline diabetes does not seem to favor any particular breed, but overweight male cats appear to have a higher risk of developing this disease.

Effects

• Without treatment, feline diabetes has serious effects on a cat's body. Diabetic cats are susceptible to bacterial, fungal and viral infections and may have difficulty fighting them off. In addition, feline diabetes can cause nerve damage, called neuropathy, organ damage, and ketoacidosis, which can lead to coma and death.
  Ketoacidosis occurs when toxic acids called ketones build up in the bloodstream. Ketoacidosis occurs because the cat's body, when unable to metabolize glucose to feed cells, starts breaking down large amounts of fat. Vomiting is one of the first signs that a diabetic cat may be developing this syndrome.

Prevention/Solution

• Diagnosing diabetes in cats is not simple because a cat's blood glucose levels raise when the cat feels stressed (and most cats feel stressed during a vet visit). Because of this, veterinarians usually take several blood and urine tests to confirm a diabetes diagnosis.
  Vets usually put diabetic cats on a special diet, possibly even a prescription diet. Some cats may need insulin injections in addition to the change in diet, and owners must monitor their cat's glucose levels carefully. You can monitor a cat's glucose at home by using strips or special litter additives that change color depending on the amount of glucose passed in urine.
  In addition to or instead of insulin, veterinarians may prescribe oral medications for diabetic cats.

Warning

• Excessive urination, thirst and weight loss are also symptoms of feline kidney failure, which is also a serious condition and requires different treatment than feline diabetes. Before assuming your cat is diabetic and changing its diet or general care, consult a veterinarian for a professional diagnosis.
  Many diseases other than diabetes also cause a cat to lose weight. Cat owners should bring any cat experiencing weight loss to a veterinarian.