Diabetes in Cats is a serious concern today. Research shows that at least 1% of Cats in the US suffer from Diabetes, that's approximately 700,000 kitties. It's been generally seen that cats who are obese are more prone to suffer from diabetes. It's also been seen that male cats who are above 8 years of age are more susceptible to this disease. But, that's not a final word. Any cat can suffer from feline diabetes. Hence you have to be cautious about these common signs of diabetes in cats.
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So, what is Diabetes? For our feline babies, diabetes mellitus is either
- Type I (where the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin, as a result, there is a high deposit of sugar in the bloodstream) or
- TypeII where their body cells are unable to respond to insulin, as a result, there is a huge deposit of glucose in their bloodstream.
However, it is your veterinarian who will be able to look into the exact disease and help you with cats' diabetes treatment. But, you can easily learn some common signs of diabetes in cats so that you are aware and you know when to take your cat to the veterinarian.
Here are the Top 5 Signs of Diabetes in Cats
Increased Thirst & Urination
One of the earliest signs of diabetes in cats is increased thirst and urination. You might see your feline baby urinating here and there and drinking much more water than she or he usually does. This means that there is a large deposit of glucose in their bloodstream. Now, the kidney is working overtime to filter out this excess deposit of sugar through urination. As a result, your fur baby is drinking way more water and also urinating more and more.
Increased Appetite
Have you noticed your fur baby eating more and more recently? This change in appetite isn't cute. Its a sign of diabetes in cats. You see when the cells aren't able to take in glucose, they trigger the breakdown of protein and fat in the body. And, in order to fill the void of protein and fat, your cat might eat more and more, especially carbohydrates.
Vomiting
Though vomiting in itself might not be a major cause of diabetes. But, it might be a possibility. You see what happens is, when the cells trigger the breakdown of fats, cats are not able to eliminate the by-products that fast. As a result, they vomit.
Unusual Gait
Is your cat walking flat-footed as if like they are about to sit? This is called diabetic neuropathy which affects the hind legs in cats. Diabetes or increased levels of glucose affect the nervous system, as a result of which, the nerves in the hind legs might get affected.
Litter box Problems
If you notice that your cat is urinating everywhere and eliminating waste all over the place, then its time to consult a veterinarian. What happens is that they are drinking way too much water and eating way more than their diet. As a result, they can't make it to the litter box every time.
The Final word on Feline Diabetes can be said by none other than a well-experienced veterinarian. Hence, if you see any of the above-mentioned conditions, then consult your veterinarian right away. Excessive urination and thirst are just the early signs and if you have noticed them in your fur baby consult your veterinarian today.