ALLEY CAT RESCUE
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Feline diabetes (diabetes mellitus)

Problem: 
Similar to diabetes in humans, feline diabetes is a condition where the body cannot properly produce or respond to insulin resulting in elevated level of the sugar glucose. Glucose cannot enter the cells so the level of glucose in the blood can become abnormally high, which is known as hyperglycemia. Diabetic cats can also suffer from the inverse, hypoglycemia, when their blood sugar gets very low. Hypoglycemia can be very serious, a cat can lose consciousness or even die. Hypoglycemia can be a consequence of too much insulin so owners should look for symptoms such as lethargy, weakness, wobbling when walking, restlessness and convulsions when treating their cat.

Types:
  • Cats with Type I feline diabetes have high glucose concentrations because of decreased insulin production.
  • Cats with Type II diabetes have high glucose levels because their cells do not properly respond to insulin.

Feline diabetes is a common endocrine disorder in cats, affecting approximately 1 in 200 cats (Bloom & Rand, 2014). Feline diabetes is also more likely to affect males. Thankfully for cat owners, veterinarians’ understanding of feline diabetes has increased dramatically in the past ten years and more options are available for treatment.

Symptoms:
  • Increased thirst
  • Hanging over the side of water dishes
  • Increased urination
  • Obesity- it is estimated that 35% of adult cats are either overweight or obese (Lund, Armstrong, Kirk & Klausner, 2005)
  • Weight loss despite an increased appetite
  • Ravenous appetite
Diagnosis:
Feline diabetes is diagnosed by testing the cat’s blood and urine. 

Treatments:  
  • Insulin therapy. This is the most common treatment for feline diabetes, usually through injections. Owners can be taught how to give their pets the insulin shots themselves. Injections are relatively easy to give.
  • Oral medication is a potential form of treatment but it can have negative side effects and is less effective than shots. 
  • A diet low in carbohydrates and fiber. This can improve a cat’s control of their blood glucose levels. Wet food is often lower in carbs and is the recommended food source. Diet should be used alongside other treatment plans unless there is a medical reason not to.
  • Acarbose. This is a medication that can be used with insulin or oral medication for cats who cannot eat a low carbohydrate diet.
  • Frequent visits to the vet for blood monitoring, urine tests and physical exams

Cost: $29-$30 per month.

Goal: Feline diabetes is rarely cured so for many pet owners the goal is diabetic remission. This is when a cat “maintains a normal glucose level for more than four weeks without insulin injections or oral glucose regulating medications” (Buzhardt, 2017). Once a cat is in remission they are likely to stay there if they maintain a good body condition score and eat a low carbohydrate diet.

Bloom, C.A. & Rand, J. (2014). Feline Diabetes Mellitus. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 16, 205-215.
Buzhardt, L. (March 23, 2017). Diabetic Remission in Cats. Retrieved from https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/diabetic-remission-in-cats 
Hypoglycemia. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.petdiabetes.com/pdorg/hypoglycemia.htm 
Feline Diabetes. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/Health_Information/brochure_diabetes.cfm 
Lund, E.M., Armstrong, P.J., Kirk, C.A. & Klausner, J.S. (2005). Prevalence and Risk Factors for Obesity in Adult Cats from Private US Veterinary Practices. The International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine, 3(2), 88-96.
Rand, J.S. (2013). Feline Diabetes. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 43(2).
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  • Home
    • About >
      • Email Sign-up
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • History >
        • Our Team
        • Board of Directors
        • Financial Information
        • Privacy Policy
        • Partners
    • Press
    • Our Stories
    • Action Alerts >
      • Welfare Programs >
        • Petitions
        • California Declaw Bill
        • New York Declaw Bill
        • PACT Act
        • Spay Neuter Pledge
        • Michigan TNR bill
        • No Declaw Pledge
        • Toxoplasmosis gondii, Cats, and the Threats Posed to Pregnant Women
        • Adoptions >
          • Cats available for adoption
          • Adoption Inquiry Form
          • New Cat Checklist
          • Introducing A New Cat
        • Campaigns >
          • Working Cats Program >
            • Shelters with Working Cat Programs
          • African Wildcat >
            • Press Release on African Wildcat Campaign
            • Differences between AWCs and domestic cats
          • The Feral Fix
          • End Deadly Eradication Methods Campaign
          • "Fix the Family" Campaign
    • News >
      • ACR Newsletters
      • Press Releases
  • Spay/Neuter
    • COVID-19 Protocol for S/N Clinic
    • Early Age Spay/Neuter
    • Misconceptions About Spay/Neuter
    • Types of Spay and Neuter Procedures
    • State Low Cost Spay/Neuter
  • How to Help Community Cats
    • Find a Stray Cat?
    • What is a Feral Cat? >
      • Feral vs. Stray Cats
      • Benefits of Feral Cats
    • TNR-- What does this mean? >
      • TNR Statistics
      • TNR Step-by-Step
      • TNR: Do It Yourself!
      • Targeted Trapping
      • TNR Tips
      • Hard to Catch Cats
      • TNR Equipment Resources
      • TNR/Community Cat Care Financial Resources
      • Where to Buy TNR Equipment
      • Helping Shelters Implement TNR Programs
      • Adopting Adult Feral Cats >
        • Feral Kittens >
          • What to do if you find kittens
          • Stages of Kitten Development
          • Orphaned Kittens
          • Socializing Feral Kittens
          • Fostering Kittens
        • How Rescuers Can Effectively Adopt Out Cats
      • Common Complaints
      • Providing Shelter
    • State Resources
    • Health Care
    • Cat Overpopulation
    • Relocation
    • Feral Cats and the Law
    • Cats and Wildlife >
      • Cats and Predation
      • Where have all the birds gone?
      • Debunking the Myths and Misinformation: Cat Predation
      • Why Eradication Methods Fail
    • Handbook Download
  • Cat Health
    • Health Care for Your Cat >
      • Vaccines
      • Wellness Vet Checkups
      • Microchiping
      • Nail Trimmings
      • Effects of aging
      • Hospice Care and Euthanasia Decisions
      • Financial Assistance
      • Cat Supplies
      • How to Prepare for an Emergency
      • Pet Food Banks
    • Common Cat Health Issues >
      • Feline Panleukopenia
      • Fleas
      • FIP, FeLV, FIV >
        • Testing for FeLV/FIV
      • Zoonotic Diseases
      • Rabies
      • Toxoplasmosis
      • Ringworm - Symptoms and Treatment
      • Ringworm Myths Debunked
      • Obesity in Cats
      • Diabetes
      • Indoor/Outdoor Cats >
        • Winter Tips for Protecting Cats
        • Summer Tips for Cats
    • Cats & Claws
    • Animal Cruelty Against Cats
    • Hazardous Poisons
    • Poisonous Plants
    • Pet Disaster Preparedness
    • COVID-19 Pet Food Banks
    • Cats and COVID-19
  • Cat Behavior
    • Solutions to Prevent Surrendering you cat
    • Common Cat Behavior Issues
    • Litter Box Problems
    • Scratching and Destructive Behavior
    • Meowing and Yowling
    • Urine Marking
    • Aggressive Cats
    • Cat Enrichment
    • Introducing Cats
    • Cat on Cat Aggression
    • Behavior Issues in Elderly Cats
    • Tips for Entertaining an Indoor Cat
    • Cat Supply Resources
    • Lost Cat
  • Donate
  • Store