Can some of you knowledgeable folks tell me about the symptoms and treatments of diabetes in cats? Someone mentioned it before when I talked about how much my little cat seems to eat. Now she seems to be drinking alot more water. If she turns out to have diabetes what I am looking at as a treatment plan.
(I have had cats with thyroid conditions and arthritis before but not diabetes)
Posted 2 years ago by TrufflesMom #
TM...I'm sorta in the same unknowledgeble pockle as you about cats (& people for that matter) when it comes to diabetes.
Ever since I rescued Hopper,he's had symptoms of drinking water like there's no tomorrow. Being that he was on the streets for a good 14 yrs. before trapped,I can't imagine all the health issues he could have. To this day,he spends more time at the water dish than he does at the food dish. Sadly,I'll never know if he has it,because I just can't afford tests for him.
I'm sorry I can't offer any knowledge to you. I hope some of our other Family here can help you. I can offer you {{{HUGS}}} & Prayers tho.
Trufflesmom, a cat losing weight, drinking huge amounts of water, soaking down the litter tray, getting a rough coat, walking more heel down on the back feet than normal, and acting like it doesn't feel well are symptoms of diabetes which turn out to be rather commom in middle aged and elderly cats.
I'm still in the learning process myself, having had one of my four cats develop diabetes in recent months. It is quite easy for the vet to do a simple test on a tiny droplet of blood gotten from an ear prick on your kitty to check blood glucose levels.
Diabetes is not a death sentence for a cat, although just as with people it presents challenges and will shorten a kitty's life somewhat.
Cats can be switched to a high protein diet, which helps, and given daily insulin shots to control blood glucose (blood sugars). It is an investment of time, money, and staying on schedule with feedings and shots which can be a challenge to keep up with but is manageable.
If your kitty turns out to have diabetes, there are a couple of ways you can easily do regular blood glucose tests at home to monitor the levels and adjust insulin doses accordingly. One way is with test strips you have to get the cat's urine on. I've not done that but I'm sure others here on the list can provide you with experienced info.
A second way is to test blood drops with a glucometer, just like people with diabetes do. You can get a veterinarian glucometer and test strips both of which are calibrated specifically for cats and dogs through your vet. These are actually more precise and accurate than the ones available at the drug store for people. The meter isn't expensive but I will say that the test strips are. If you get one of these, be sure to also get the matching lancet device which works better on cat ears than any of the lancet devices from the drug store. Again, designed to work on cats rather than people.
Treating diabetes in a cat isn't cheap, as the insulin is expensive. Depending on which type of insulin works for your cat, if that is what is needed, the expense can vary from somewhat to rather steep. Which insulin is appropriate for your cat is something your vet would have to determine. I know mine is on her second type at this point, as we are still in early stages of trying to manage things.
Here is a link to a well known veterinary school's website about caring for a diabetic cat. Hope this helps. http://www.partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/pet/fhc/diabetes
THanks Marnet! I hope it is not Diabetes! I hate needles! She has to eat alot to maintain her weight and lately she seems to be drinking alot but I haven't seen any of the other symptoms you list.
She weighs about 6 lbs and gets 2 cans of Fancy Feast a day and 2/3 of a cup of dry food. Somedays she eats all of that most days she eats most of the dry and half to 2/3 of each can of Fancy Feast.
Posted 2 years ago by TrufflesMom #
Have you ever had her tested for worms...when Dot adopted me she would
eat like there was no tomorrow/still thin... I thought it was because she just had kits. When I fianlly took her to the vet we discovered she had worms...they consumed the food that she ate. Had that taken care of and she maintained a healthy weight/diet.
Kotek has a good point!
You need to make an appointment with your vet to have your cat examined. When you call to make the appointment explain your concerns and make sure to ask if you need to bring in a urine and/or stool sample for testing.
If money is an issue, check with the humane society. Many of them offer low cost veterinary care so that folks with limited means can still get quality vet care for their pets.
She was actually a bit rolly polly in her younger years. I have had her for 10 years. She lost a lot of weight when my sister/roommate's cats were put on a diet. My sister and her cats moved out and I was able to take Truffles off of the diet and she went up to 6 lbs, but I kind of expected to taper back down the food some but she is still eating a most of what I put out and seems to have stopped gaining weight. This week I have noticed her at the upstairs water dish several times for long drinks.
Posted 2 years ago by TrufflesMom #
I don't think I can add much to what Marnet said. I had a diabetic cat (Gibbie) but he was diagnosed about 15 years ago so I'm sure things in the medical field have changed a bit! I will say that he did live with diabetes for 7 years, so it is not a death sentence. He did need insulin shots though (cats don't seem to respond to the medications that humans take to control blood sugar, at least not back then). The insulin was expensive. My suggestion is to take her to the vet and find out if there are any medical problems. Then you can make decisions based on what they find.
Definitely have her evaluated by your vet. Write down the sequence and timing of how old she is, what she used to weigh, what diet she got on with the other cats to lose weight, when she went off that and began eating what regular food again, when she began with the excessive water drinking, etc. All that is info that will help the vet track down what is going on with your cat. Be sure to also note any changes in litter tray habits, if the litter tray is getting soaked more due to the increase in water drinking, what sort of stools kitty is having, etc. If you have all that in a concise, easy to read format when you go in, it helps the vet know needed info and you don't end up forgetting to tell anything of note.
Mine is an extreme case, as I have three cats with special medical needs, no two alike. So I actually keep a small log book of their care and take that with me to the vet each time not only for reference but also to make immediate notes of directions from the vet so I keep clear just what I'm to do for each cat and don't forget or mix up things.
Oh my - sounds like you have your hands full Marnet! My vet is a small practice and she is very familiar with Truffles and her weight issues. When my sister moved out Truffles went in once a month until her weight stabilized and to be sure she was gaining.
But It sounds like I have to take her in for a visit.
Posted 2 years ago by TrufflesMom #
Marnet gave you the best description of what to watch for as well as the various tretment options. Great job Marnet. My cat became diabetic in July of last year. I could not have told you any better. The shots aren't that difficult once you get the hang of it, and most cats tolerate them much better than you would think. Best of luck to you and your furry friend.
Truffles does not have diabetes. (Yeah!) Or a thyroid condition. The vet thinks it is most likely an intestinal bug and the diarreha caused dehydration so she is/was drinking more.
For now she is on antibiotics and probiotics to try and get her system back in order. If this does not work we looking into things like IBS or food allergies.
Posted 2 years ago by TrufflesMom #
I'm sorry if I overlooked it if mentioned already,but...has the vet ruled out worms? Or is that the intestinal bug you mention? Anyways....
Exstatic that Truffles doesn't have Diabetes!! I think my ex-feral Hopper has it,but,because of the cost,he won't be having any vet visits. And even if I could afford it, I wouldn't be able to give him shots if needed. I faint at the site of needles & would probably end up sticking myself.
The vet did check for worms. She suspects just a bug because Truffles is still gaining weight. Since her cousins moved out in January she is up almost 2 pounds to 6.9 pounds!
I was very happy to rule out diabetes - I freak out with needles more likely a panic attack than a faint. I can't watch when they draw blood at all for blood work.
One good thing is Truffles has seen this same vet regularly for the past 10 years so they know her complete history.
Posted 2 years ago by TrufflesMom #
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