Many people are not aware that cats (and dogs) are susceptible to diabetes (mellitus) just like humans. In humans, diabetes is divided into Type I or insulin dependent and Type II or non-insulin dependent. Type I is the form in which the pancreas produces no insulin at all and Type II is when the pancreas produces some insulin but not enough. Most cats have “non-insulin dependent diabetes” which means there is a potential for the diabetes to resolve if the pancreas increases its insulin-secreting ability. Rarely it is possible for cats to be treated with oral medication but usually insulin is needed.
In the diabetic cat there is not enough insulin being produced by the pancreas. Without insulin the body is unable to utilize glucose (a simple sugar) for energy and it is lost into the urine drawing water with it. These events create the classic clinical signs of diabetes of: increased urination, increased thirst and weight loss. Untreated diabetic cats can also develop a neuropathy which manifests itself as a weakness in the rear legs causing the cats to walk low on their hind limbs. This is also called “dropped hocks”.
In the early stages of the disease cats usually only show the increased urination, increased drinking and decreased weight. But if left untreated other problems often occur. From as simple as a poor haircoat to as complicated as liver disease and frequent urinary tract infections these conditions then also must be treated. A life threatening condition called ketoacidosis occurs when the body, unable to utilize glucose for energy, turns to fat for fuel.
There are many reasons for a cat to lose weight or drink and urinate more so diabetes is only one of the diseases for which your veterinarian will test. Blood work and urinalysis are both needed for a diagnosis. Once diagnosed and treatment started there will be a number of retests needed to ensure your cat is receiving the proper amount of insulin. The first few months can be quite involved for both the owners and the cat- both financial and time commitments. But once the correct treatment regime has been established diabetes can be controlled allowing for years of continued mutual enjoyment.
Although diabetes can affect any cat it is most often seen in older, obese individuals. And males are more commonly affected than females. The exact cause of diabetes is not known although genetics, obesity, diseases of the pancreas, and certain medications are all possible factors.
For further information please contact your veterinarian or try searching the web. Sites like www.felinediabetes.com and www.petdiabetes.org have a lot of
information for cat owners.
Dr. Jennifer Merry