Diabetes Mellitus in Cats: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention Guide

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a pathological condition in which blood sugar levels rise against a background of general glucose deficiency in the tissues. Without timely assistance, the animal may die. Every owner needs to know why and how diabetes manifests itself in cats, what the risks are, and how to treat it. If the symptoms are noticed in time and a veterinarian is consulted, your pet will be able to live a whole life.

How the disease develops

The pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which regulates carbohydrate metabolism in the body by utilising excess glucose. If insulin synthesis is disrupted or cells stop responding to it, blood sugar levels rise and diabetes develops.

At the same time, there is a high level of glucose in the bloodstream, but it does not enter the cells. Due to a lack of energy, they begin to starve. Fat and muscle tissue become the source of energy. The breakdown of fats and proteins is accompanied by rapid weight loss.

As a result, a large amount of ketone bodies is formed, shifting the urine's pH towards high acidity. There is a risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition that can kill a cat in a matter of hours.

The disease has a severe impact on the kidneys, which attempt to remove excess glucose through urine. Profuse urination leads to dehydration of the cat's body.

Types of diabetes

There are three types of diabetes mellitus in cats.

Insulin-dependent. Rare.

1. It is mainly associated with unfavourable heredity or autoimmune disorders. As the disease progresses, insulin synthesis stops and glucose accumulates in the bloodstream. The pathology is severe and requires lifelong insulin administration. Cats of the Burmese breed are at risk.
2. Insulin-independent. The incidence rate is about 70%. In this form of diabetes, insulin is produced, but the cells do not ‘recognise’ it. Lack of treatment leads to this type of disease becoming insulin-dependent. Most often, animals with obesity, taking hormonal drugs, or with chronic infections suffer from this condition. Cats over 7 years of age are at risk. Acquired, or secondary. It can be classified as insulin-independent, as the triggering factors are infections, hormone therapy, intoxication, and similar conditions. The pancreas is not damaged, so eliminating the cause leads to normalisation of the pet's condition.
3. It should be noted that the timely diagnosis of secondary diabetes mellitus is difficult, as all attention is focused on the underlying disease, and the signs of diabetes mellitus remain unnoticed.

Causes of diabetes mellitus in cats

A wide variety of causes lead to the development of diabetes mellitus in cats. Among the most common are:

• obesity;
• pancreatitis;
• hormonal imbalances, such as false pregnancy;
• poor-quality food;
• overfeeding;
• infections;
• lack of activity;
• taking hormonal drugs;
• intoxication;
• stress;
• heart and vascular diseases;
• heredity.

Who is at risk

Cats of the Burmese, Persian, Siamese, and British breeds have a genetic predisposition to diabetes mellitus. Females suffer from diabetes mellitus more often than males due to periodic hormonal changes. Cats with frequent empty heat cycles are particularly at risk.

Older animals (7-8 years and older) are also prone to developing diabetes. This is due to the accumulation of chronic pathologies, the effects of infectious diseases, and poor nutrition in the body.

Among neutered animals, on the contrary, males develop diabetes more often than females, as they are more prone to obesity.

How the disease manifests itself

The clinical picture of diabetes in cats is somewhat similar to that of other diseases. You should be alert if your pet experiences a sharp drop in body weight, increased thirst and appetite, or frequent urination.

Other symptoms of diabetes mellitus in cats include:

• apathy, lethargy, lack of activity;
• acetone odour from the mouth;
• poor coat condition;
• slow wound healing;
• rapid heartbeat (>150 beats per minute);
• impaired vision, cloudy pupils;
• gastrointestinal problems (diarrhoea, vomiting);
• skin peeling, dermatitis.

In severe cases, cats may experience gait problems, convulsive muscle contractions, and loss of consciousness.

Diagnosis

After examining the cat and interviewing the owner, the veterinarian will order diagnostic tests. These may include the following procedures:

• blood test;
• urinalysis;
• thyroid hormone test;
• ultrasound;
• X-ray;
• electrocardiography.

Elevated blood glucose levels alone do not indicate the development of diabetes in a pet. High sugar levels can be the result of stress (from being at the clinic), feeding the animal before the visit to the specialist, and so on, so the diagnosis of diabetes must be comprehensive.

During the examination, the doctor rules out pathologies with similar symptoms, such as infections, intoxication, and neurological abnormalities.

Treatment of cats with diabetes

Treatment depends on the type of diabetes.

Insulin-dependent. The cat is given insulin injections for the rest of its life.

• The dosage and frequency of administration are determined gradually and adjusted as necessary. Treatment begins with the minimum dose, which is increased to the optimal level based on blood test results.
• Insulin-dependent. The veterinarian also determines the duration of treatment and the dose of the drug based on the examination data.
• Acquired. First, the underlying disease that caused the development of diabetes mellitus should be treated.

Since insulin is administered subcutaneously or intradermally, the cat owner must be skilled in giving injections. If this is not the case, the veterinarian will show how to give the injection at the clinic or at home. Insulin must be injected at a specific time and in a particular place. It is essential to understand that tablets taken by people with diabetes do not help cats.

Measuring blood glucose levels

Cats diagnosed with diabetes need to have their blood glucose levels checked regularly. In addition to giving injections, the owner will have to learn how to take blood from their pet for analysis properly. This will require a glucometer.

Most often, blood is taken from the tip of the ear, where there are many capillaries.

The procedure is as follows:

• remove the hair from the desired area;
• massage the cartilage to ensure blood flow;
• prick the selected area with a needle, avoiding piercing through;
• apply the test strip to the blood and hold it in this position for a while;
• Insert the test strip into the device and wait for the result.

Normal glucose values are in the range of 3.4-6.1 mmol/L. A value below 3.4 mmol/L is diagnosed as hypoglycaemia. A sugar level above 6.1 mmol/L indicates diabetes mellitus.

If the value is off the scale, the pet is given fast-acting insulin.

In addition, there are medium- and slow-acting drugs. The doctor will decide which remedy is suitable in each case.

What other medications are used

In addition to insulin therapy, your pet may be prescribed symptomatic treatment. The choice of drugs depends on the symptoms observed in the cat, its age, and general well-being. These include:

• antibacterial;
• antiviral;
• cardiotonic;
• painkillers;
• sedatives;
• enzymatic;
• antiemetic;
• antispasmodic.

If the animal is not spayed or neutered, surgery is recommended to eliminate hormonal fluctuations.

Therapeutic diet

What should you feed a cat with diabetes? The diet will definitely need to be reviewed. If the cat is obese, overeating should be avoided, and the diet adjusted accordingly. Reduce the amount of fat and carbohydrates and increase the proportion of fibre and protein.

Your pet must eat frequently, but in small amounts — this will prevent a sharp rise in blood sugar.

Cats accustomed to natural food can be given:

• lean meat;
• offal;
• eggs;
• low-fat sea fish;
• low-fat fermented milk products.

The ratio should be 2:1:1 — protein, fermented milk products, and vegetables, respectively.

When feeding commercial mixtures, choose specialised formulas with a high protein content. This option is much easier, as there is no need to calculate the BZHU.

Remove foods containing preservatives, colourings, and flavourings from your cat's diet. Fats and sticky porridge should be partially excluded.

It is helpful to add fenugreek seeds to food, as they help to lower blood sugar levels.

Additional pet care

It is necessary to increase the cat's physical activity by all available means and encourage play. There are a vast number of toys available for feline pets that they can entertain themselves with without the owner's participation.

Also, do not forget about regular visits to the vet.

Testing at the clinic, including examinations and diagnostic tests, as well as adjustments to medication doses, all help prevent the disease from worsening and complications from developing.

What complications can arise

At the onset of diabetes in cats, there are no accompanying pathologies. Complications develop over time, especially in the absence of adequate treatment.

Among them are often:

• hypoglycaemia — a sharp drop in blood glucose levels;
• pancreatic amyloidosis — the deposition of a specific substance called amyloid in the tissues, leading to further destruction of the pancreas;
• ketoacidosis — intoxication resulting from the accumulation of ketone bodies in the body;
• diabetic angiopathy — damage to blood vessels;
• diabetic nephropathy — damage to the kidneys;
• diabetic polyneuropathy — damage to the muscles;
• hepatic lipidosis — fat deposits in liver cells;
• eye damage — cataracts, retinopathy;
• heart disease.

Prognosis

The prognosis is favourable if the animal has secondary diabetes mellitus. In insulin-dependent and insulin-independent types of the disease, recovery does not occur.

However, if you follow your vet's instructions and advice, you can prevent relapses and avoid complications and death. Proper treatment of diabetes and appropriate care for your cat will allow it to live an everyday, active life into old age.

Preventive measures

To prevent the development of diabetes in cats, the following recommendations should be followed:

• do not breed cats with a known genetic predisposition to diabetes;
• avoid overfeeding;
• develop a balanced diet;
• maintain a high level of physical activity in cats regardless of age;
• monitor your cat's weight;
• treat infectious diseases promptly;
• refrain from hormone therapy during periods of sexual activity; if possible, have your pet spayed or neutered if you do not plan to breed it;
• Visit your vet regularly for early detection of any abnormalities.

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