Diabetes is a loss of control of the amount of sugar in the blood. A cat with diabetes has a very high concentration of sugar in the blood and urine. There are 2 different types of diabetes. The first is insulin-dependent diabetes, where the pancreas does not produce enough of the hormone insulin to regulate the blood-sugar levels. The other form of diabetes occurs when the body does not respond properly to the insulin that the pancreas is producing.
Cats with diabetes may appear to be losing weight, while at the same time eating actively. They will also drink and urinate more often, and in large volumes. Your cat's urine may appear sticky due to the large sugar content. Do not take these symptoms lightly, as cats can, in more advanced cases, become acutely ill, or even comatose. Any noticeably depressed cat should be considered potentially ill, and you should seek veterinary care immediately.
If your veterinarian diagnoses cat diabetes, he will suggest changes in his diet that may include controlled weight loss and high-fiber diets. Sometimes, medications can help to control the blood sugar level. In most cases, however, you will need to give insulin shots to your cat. Your veterinarian will show you how to give injections, and discuss how you will, along with him, monitor your cat's progress and further medication needs. You should keep a diary of all changes to your cat's medication needs, and how he responds to those changes. This diary will help you and your veterinarian control your cat's diabetes.
Some cases of diabetes in cats can be cured by finding and treating other diseases that are making your cat's symptoms more resistant to insulin. Some cats are able to spontaneously recover permanently, or even temporarily, from diabetes. Healthy or ill, you should always be aware of changes in your cat's behavior.
Cats with diabetes may appear to be losing weight, while at the same time eating actively. They will also drink and urinate more often, and in large volumes. Your cat's urine may appear sticky due to the large sugar content. Do not take these symptoms lightly, as cats can, in more advanced cases, become acutely ill, or even comatose. Any noticeably depressed cat should be considered potentially ill, and you should seek veterinary care immediately.
If your veterinarian diagnoses cat diabetes, he will suggest changes in his diet that may include controlled weight loss and high-fiber diets. Sometimes, medications can help to control the blood sugar level. In most cases, however, you will need to give insulin shots to your cat. Your veterinarian will show you how to give injections, and discuss how you will, along with him, monitor your cat's progress and further medication needs. You should keep a diary of all changes to your cat's medication needs, and how he responds to those changes. This diary will help you and your veterinarian control your cat's diabetes.
Some cases of diabetes in cats can be cured by finding and treating other diseases that are making your cat's symptoms more resistant to insulin. Some cats are able to spontaneously recover permanently, or even temporarily, from diabetes. Healthy or ill, you should always be aware of changes in your cat's behavior.
0 comments:
Post a Comment