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FELINE DIABETES MELLITUS: AN OVERVIEW

By Tess Thompson

Diabetes Mellitus is characterized by excessive urination and thirst. It is a metabolic disorder marked by a relative or absolute deficiency of insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas. There is no major variation in the incidence of diabetes in cats and dogs but recent figures reveal that the condition is becoming more common in cats. Roughly 5% to 20% of cases of diabetes in cats are type 1 classifications and the rest experience type 2.

Both type 1 and type 2 have similar symptoms and consequences but have different causes. The end cause in both types is the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin to prevent hyperglycemia (elevated sugar levels).

Type 1 diabetes is often caused due to autoimmune responses that destroy the beta cells of pancreas, which produce insulin. Although some disability of beta cells is necessary for type 2 diabetes, it is basically characterized by insulin resistance of the target tissue.

Due to the inability to utilize glucose effectively, the level of sugar in the blood increases. Over time, this level of sugar also increases in the urine. Despite a good appetite, the cat starts loosing weight as the tissues are unable to use glucose for their growth. Glucose is an important source of physiological energy and as the condition progresses the cat starts becoming weaker.

Symptoms of diabetes in cats are almost similar to those in humans and include excessive urination, persistent thirst, weight loss and an increased appetite. A typical symptom of feline diabetes is that the cat starts walking on its hocks or the gait becomes stilted or wobbly.

Diabetes is not breed-specific but is usually more prevalent in older, obese and male cats. The exact cause of the disease is not known but a genetic predisposition, obesity, pancreatitis, hormonal imbalances and drug side effects cannot be ruled out.

A diabetic cat requires adequate control of sugar levels in the body. This is affected with the aid of long-acting insulin injections that may be given once or twice daily. As every cat responds differently to insulin, the type, dose and frequency of insulin has to be determined individually. To establish the requisite dose, an 18 to 24 hour profile is studied, which requires hospitalization for checking blood glucose profiles frequently.

Monitoring of dosage and blood sugar levels is critical as an overdose can cause hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, which is equally dangerous. If blood sugar levels drop, the cat should immediately be given its normal food. If the cat is unable to eat, remedial steps like rubbing something sweet on the gums or forcing it down with a syringe have to taken.

Cats usually respond well to long-lasting insulin and low carbohydrate diets. An early detection and treatment can even result in total remission of the disease. Cat owners should be observant of any apparent thinning of the skin or fragility.

These are serious signs of progression of the disease and the cat breaking down its own body fat for survival. A common progression from this point onwards leads to dehydration and even death.

References:
http://chinese-school.netfirms.com/diabetes-feline.html
http://www.sugarpet.net/whatisit.html
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/diabetes.html
http://www.vetinfo4cats.com/cdiabetes.html
http://petcare.suite101.com/article.cfm/feline_diabetes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_in_cats_and_dogs
http://www.catinfo.org/felinediabetes.htm
http://diabeticdietadvice.blogspot.com/