Caring For Older Cats - Feline Diabetes

Feline diabetes is more common than people realize, with some studies suggesting as many as 1 in 400 cats have the disease. Obese and older male cats have an increased risk of developing diabetes, though, just like in humans, it can affect cats of any age or breed.



While no one definite cause of feline diabetes has been diagnosed, it is believed that pancreatic disease and/or improper hormone levels, plus a genetic predisposition may cause the onset of the disease. The body is no longer able to use glucose the way it needs to. The result is the accumulation of glucose in the blood causing hyperglycemia.



Keeping a close watch on your aging cat's routine is very important. If you notice anything unusual, have it checked out by your vet. The earlier a problem is diagnosed, the better chance you and your cat have of keeping on top of it.



Feline diabetes presents much the same way as it does in humans. Things to keep a watch out for are drinking much more than normal, increased urination, eating more while sometimes still losing weight, lethargy, fur and skin changes, weakness of the hind legs and a wobbly gait. Urination outside the litter box is another one to watch out for.



If you suspect your cat has developed diabetes, it is imperative that you take it to the vet as soon as possible. Diabetes, if left untreated, can kill. It can also cause liver and kidney disease as well as blindness.



If lab tests show very high levels of sugar in your cat's urine and blood, your cat will be diagnosed with diabetes. You need to discuss the different methods of treatment with your vet and together decide how the diabetes can be best managed.



At this stage I would urge you to learn what you can about feline diabetes. Research online and at your library, read and take notes if necessary. You need to understand a problem before you can treat it properly.



Diet is crucial with any diabetic, human or feline. Your cat will need regular meals and if you are injecting insulin, you must make sure your cat eats something just before or after the injection. Your vet may also put your cat on a low protein food or specialized diabetic cat food. High protein can lead to kidney problems in diabetic cats.



Exercise is also important for cats with diabetes. Exercise helps reduce the blood glucose levels so make extra time to play with your cat, even gentle play. It is also very important to try to keep stress levels at a minimum. This includes heat and cold stress as well as mental stress. Since I was diagnosed with diabetes, I find I cannot tolerate the summer heat as easily. My sugar levels go up, and they will do for your cat as well.



I cannot stress strongly enough to monitor your cat at all times. Call your vet if you are worried about anything. It is better to err on the side of caution, although you will get better at recognizing anything that needs immediate attention as you get used to the diabetes and how your cat is tolerating the treatment.



Always be on the watch for other complications such as arthritis, the need for extra warmth in winter and coolness in summer. If possible, put an electric warmer turned on very low under your cat's bedding during winter. In summer, a fan or a cool breeze under the trees can be wonderful. Blindness is another complication of diabetes so watch to make sure your cat is not walking into furniture or other objects.



Remember that our human years are much longer than cat years and while we may think our cat is only 12 or 14, in reality they are probably in their eighties. You need to decide what constitutes an acceptable quality of life for your cat, and make decisions accordingly.



Feline diabetes doesn't have to be a death sentence for your older cat. With proper medication, care and love from you, your cat could be around for years.



Please note: This information is intended as a guide only. Do not use in place of professional advice for the identification or management of feline diabetes. If you are unsure or worried about your pet, you should take him/her to a licensed veterinarian.

Caring For Cats With Diabetes

Getting your cat to a medical examination and finding out that it has diabetes can be quite shocking. Diabetes is a serious disease but it is manageable if you learn how to handle it.



When my 10 year old cat was drinking too much water and urinating all the time I took it to the doctor. The vet told me that it has feline diabetes. I was shocked.



What is diabetes?



The blood has sugar (glucose) and the level of sugar in the blood is strictly controlled by a hormone called insulin. The pancreas is making this insulin and if it can not produce enough, the disease that results is called diabetes. The symptoms of feline diabetes can differ from one cat to another. My cat was urinating much more than usual and was drinking a lot of water.



But other symptoms like weight loss, decreased appetite, lethargy and a bad looking fur coat can also appear. The cats that have diabetes and are not treated will be lethargic, will stop urinating and they will vomit a lot. If this disease is not controlled, the cat can die. But if you manage to treat your feline, then it will have a long and lovely life.



Most of the times, the cats that have diabetes must stay indoors and eat at regular intervals. Also, it is very important that you have with you and in the house cat insulin shots. The doctor will tell you if you have to give those shots once or twice a day. The vet will prescribe you the correct quantity.



In addition, before making the insulin shot you have to feed that cat or else it will suffer a hypoglycemic shock. Also, do not give the feline too much insulin. If the cat has a hypoglycemic shock then you have to put glucose in its mouth, on the tongue, or inside the cheeks. In time, the vet can also diminish the insulin quantity for your cat.

A Healthy Diet - The Most Important Aspect Of Caring For A Diabetic Cat

There are a wide variety of cat foods made especially for cat with diabetes on the market. Most of them are sold through your local veterinary, while some of the more uncommon ones may need to be pre-ordered before hand. Feeding is a very important aspect of caring for cats with diabetes, cat owners are advised to consult their veterinary for advices and ask them to keep a record of what you are feeding as careful diet record including insulin treatment, and exercise regime are useful in your diabetic cat health management.



With the advancement research of animal health, there are many proprietary cat food type and brands suitable for diabetic cats. Some of the common diabetic cat food type includes weight-loss, low carbohydrate, and high protein diets. While some of these commercial diabetic cat foods are widely available, some of them have been reported by owners and veterinary to cause urinary problems for cats.
Therefore, it's always safer to seek your veterinary advice on what food to feed your cat.



Listed below is an introduction to some of the more popular diabetic cat food available in the market:



- Brand Wellness offers a wide variety of quality cat food that is known for not relying on fillers and bulk.



- Purina diabetic cat food offers a range of gourmet options. They choose to provide the link between obesity and high carbohydrate diet. One of their latest product is Fancy Feast. It contains very little in fillers and non-fish and meat ingredients.



- Lams and Eukanuba offer high quality, animal protein-rich and calorie-light kibbled diets helpful in reducing obesity. Using only healthy ingredients like vegetables and premium meat.



- Hill's Science Diet manufacture both kibbled and canned food, and has a low calorie, high fiber option as an aid to weight management. Their range of products is popular for catering to all cat ages.



- Royal Canin (formerly Waltham) manufactures a range of kibbled food, and their Fit range diet is useful for cats with diabetes.



One of the best ways to feed a cat with diabetes recommended by most veterinary and animal diet specialists is the homemade diet as it will be able to cater best to your cat's specific needs best and is consider far better than most commercial cat food. If you are preparing your own homemade natural and balance food, make sure you seek your veterinary advice on how to prepare the healthiest food that your cat might need.

Caring For Diabetic Dogs

Diabetes is a silent killer. Slowly, it can take the life out of your pet. This disease may not show any outward symptoms, which actually makes it deadlier. Most dog owners don't know that their pet is suffering from this disease until it is too late. Dogs with diabetes should be cared for accordingly for their condition not to exacerbate.



Just follow the guidelines below and your dog will be in the pink of health at all times despite its present condition.



1. Visit the vet regularly.
Once your dog has diabetes, it would require regular appointments with the doctor. The vet would diagnose the present condition of your pet and would provide it with the right medications. It is very important that your pet's health is monitored as frequently as needed because its condition may change from good to worse without you knowing about it.



2. Give your dog its medicines.
The vet would give your dog the necessary medications it needs to manage its disease. It is best that you follow all the vet's instructions from dosage to the frequency of shots. Dogs suffering from advanced cases of diabetes may require regular insulin shots in order to experience immediate relief from their condition. You would have to give the shots yourself so make sure that you do it well.



3. Give your dog regular exercises.
Exercise is very important for dogs with diabetes. Take your dog out for a walk more frequently this time around. Doing so would allow the dog to manage its insulin levels and keep it active. It is possible that your dog would experience lowered energy after the walks. This is one of the effects of diabetes. To counter this, try to you can give your pet healthy honey or anything that the vet recommends.



4. Provide your dog with a high fiber diet.
More than anything else, your dog needs added nutrients in the food that it eats. Dogs with diabetes need a fiber-rich, low fat, and high carbohydrate diet. It may also be necessary for you to change your dog's feeding schedule for it to correlate with its shots. The quantity of food you should give your pet must be monitored closely as well. Let the veterinarian guide you accordingly so you'll know which foods to give and which foods to avoid.



5. Give your dog some vitamin supplements.
Most dogs with diabetes have problems meeting their nutritional requirements for the day. If this is your biggest problem with your pet, it is best that you give your pet some helpful supplements that can help improve its health. You may have to give your pet Vitamin A, B, and C. Regular intake of the mineral Chromium would help a lot as well.



Dogs with diabetes can still live a normal life. It is but a matter of managing the disease well. Pet owners should be very wary that their pet's condition may worsen anytime soon so they have to do everything that it takes to make sure that their dog is living as comfortably as possible. Work closely with the veterinarian and your dog will continue to live a happy and a contented life with you.