Believe it or not, cats can get diabetes just like people do. It is just as life-threatening and requires just as much care. This is not to say it's hard to care for a diabetic cat; it isn't.

You may not notice the symptoms at first but as soon as you do, get him in to see his veterinarian right away. The first thing you may notice is excessive water consumption with frequent urination. He will also have an increased appetite, yet dramatic weight loss. You may also see lethargy.

After time, he may also develop neuropathy. This is a common side effect of diabetes. With neuropathy, a cat will walk on his haunches instead of his paws. This will distort his posture and give him a hunch back. He will also have difficulty making what used to be simple jumps.

In essence, what is happening with neuropathy is that the signals being sent from the brain to make the muscles move do not make it back to the muscles. So, your cat will begin his jump but the muscles will fail before the jump is complete. He will miss the target and fall. It is scary to witness. If you have not noticed other symptoms of diabetes but see this behavior, get to the vet as soon as possible.

The good news is that once the diabetes is under control, the neuropathy will correct itself. Controlling diabetes will require giving the cat insulin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas. A failing pancreas raises blood sugar levels. Insulin is usually given via injections twice per day. There are insulin pills available but most cats will not respond to these. There are different types of insulin that use certain types of syringes. Your vet can determine which type is best for your cat.

Type and amount of insulin is determined with a series of tests. First there is an initial 'glucose curve.'This is just testing the blood every four hours to monitor the blood sugar throughout the day. Different insulin doses will be given and more curves will be done over time to establish which dose keeps your cat's blood sugar stable throughout the day.

Once the right dose is determined, the injections must be given regularly, usually twice a day. Missing a dose is not generally an issue, although several missed doses will cause sugar levels to stay elevated. The most important thing to keep in mind regarding insulin is that too much is even worse than too little. Too much insulin is extremely dangerous. Seizures and even death can occur instantly. Keep a record of shots given to ensure that he is getting his insulin an also that he isn't inadvertently given shots by two different people.

Be sure to keep up with regular check-ups recommended by the veterinarian. This is always important but it is especially important in the case of diabetes. Unlike humans or even dogs, the pancreas of a cat can actually 're-learn' to function properly over time. What this means is that a cat's pancreas may actually start to produce insulin on its own. If you continue to give insulin, your cat will get too much and overdose. Again, this can lead to death.

Living with a diabetic cat is not complicated. It just takes care and dedication to proper care. In most diabetes cases cats may not even require a special diet. Just stay on top of the situation. A little ear scratching will be appreciated too.

It is critical to be aware of what you should look for regarding diabetes symptoms and the impact on your health. The Diabetes Advice Online services gives you information and details on the steps you should take when you might have diabetes.

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1. Can Dogs Get Diabetes – What Are the Symptoms of a Dog With Diabetes
2. Caring for a Diabetic Cat
3. Diabetic Dogs: Keeping The Disorder Under Control
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Written by Hazel Wig using tags: excessive water consumption