Mary Allen
Older and overweight cats are particularly prone to diabetes mellitus. Thanks to insulin therapy, diabetic four-legged friends can lead symptom-free life. In some cases, even healing is possible.
Diabetes mellitus, popularly known as “sugar disease”, refers to a chronic metabolic disease in cats and humans that leads to increased blood sugar levels. A distinction is made between “Type 1”, in which the body produces little or no insulin, for example due to a disease of the pancreas, and the more widespread “Type 2”, in which the corresponding body cells react less and less to the endogenous hormone. The consequences are the same in both cases: Without insulin, the cells cannot absorb and metabolize any sugar that is produced during the digestion of carbohydrates from the blood. As a result, carbohydrates can only be used insufficiently or not at all for energy production and the blood sugar level is no longer regulated.
“The disease can exist for a while before the owner realizes that something is wrong with the cat. Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the condition. It is typical, however, that the cat drinks and urinates a lot, vomits more frequently, suddenly has more or less appetite, loses weight, looks tired and lethargic or becomes unclean,” says veterinarian Monika Benninger, who works as a specialist in internal medicine in the veterinary clinic Thun works.
Measure Blood Sugar at Home
Any cat can develop diabetes, but older, neutered cats are particularly susceptible. It is important that you go to the vet if you see the warning signs. If left untreated, diabetes mellitus can lead to severe consequential damage such as kidney problems, nerve paralysis in the hind limbs, dehydration or even a life-threatening metabolic imbalance, known as diabetic ketoacidosis.
Sick animals excrete sugar in the urine. If diabetes is suspected, the urine is therefore examined. In ancient times, doctors still had to do a taste test, but today there are test strips. In addition, the fructosamine value in the blood is measured, as this is independent of short-term blood sugar fluctuations and can therefore provide information about the long-term sugar value. A full blood count should also give an overview of the functions of the organs.
“Even after insulin therapy has started, regular blood and urine tests are necessary. After the start of therapy and whenever the insulin dosage is changed, a daily blood sugar profile should be drawn up one to two weeks later. If the cat is well adjusted, it may be sufficient to check the values every three to six months,” says Benninger. Even if the animal is not feeling well, it should be measured. With a special blood glucose meter, this can be done relatively quickly and easily at home. The owner can usually administer the daily insulin injections himself without any problems following the instructions of the veterinarian.
Many diabetic cats have to be treated with insulin throughout their lives without their quality of life suffering particularly badly. Some patients even make a full recovery, but are then prone to developing diabetes again. “A so-called remission is possible, for example, if diabetes is caused by inflammation of the pancreas and this heals,” says Benninger. In cats suffering from type 2 diabetes, the insulin therapy that is always required at the beginning of the treatment can become superfluous if a special diet and associated weight reduction bring about the desired success.