Feline Diabetes
(diabetes mellitus)
Bandit, diabetic but happy and healthy!
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:
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 10 years and more options are available for treatment.
Symptoms:
Diagnosis:
Feline diabetes is diagnosed by testing the cat’s blood and urine.
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 insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are killed by the immune system.
- Cats with Type II diabetes have high glucose levels because their cells do not properly respond to insulin. This is the most common type in cats.
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 10 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:
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.
Resources
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).
- 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 new class of drugs called SGLT2 protein inhibitors can be administered orally with far fewer side effects. SGLT2 also offers the possibility for full remission. However, these drugs will only be effective for cats who have a certain minimum level of Beta (insulin-producing) cell mass.
- On August 14, 2023, the FDA approved the first oral liquid medication to treat diabetes in cats (source).
- 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
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.
Resources
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).