Can a cat be misdiagnosed with diabetes?
The findings, published in PLOS ONE, reveal that this is much more common than previously thought, and cats with this condition can be easily misdiagnosed as having primary (type 2) diabetes. Researchers collected data between 2003 and 2011 on over 1200 diabetic cats treated at veterinary practices across the UK.
What are the signs that your cat may have diabetes?
The four main symptoms of diabetes mellitus are increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, and increased appetite. Because of the nature of cats, these signs may go unnoticed, especially in the early stages of disease or if a cat spends a lot of time outdoors.
Can diabetes in cats cause loss of appetite?
An alarming number of cats are developing diabetes mellitus, which is the inability to produce enough insulin to balance blood sugar, or glucose, levels . Left untreated, it can lead to weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting ,dehydration, severe depression, problems with motor function, coma, and even death.
Can cat diabetes cause diarrhea?
The pancreas is responsible for production of digestive enzymes as well as insulin. When a cat becomes deficient in digestive enzymes, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) may occur. Symptoms include diarrhea, frequent or large bowel movements, pale-colored stool, weight loss, and vomiting.
What happens if you don’t treat a cat with diabetes?
Untreated, the condition leads to increasingly weak legs in cats, and eventually malnutrition, ketoacidosis and death. Early diagnosis and treatment by a qualified veterinarian can not only help prevent nerve damage, but in some cases even lead to remission so that the cat no longer needs injected insulin.
What can I give my cat for loose stools?
Options for Treating Cat Diarrhea
- Change Your Cat’s Food. There is no need to withhold food from cats who have diarrhea.
- Fiber. Some types of cat diarrhea get better with a low-fiber (highly digestible) diet.
- Encourage Water and Electrolyte Intake.
- Probiotics.
- Anti-Diarrheal Medications.
How long can diabetic cats live?
Cats who are treated effectively for diabetes can live for very prolonged periods after diagnosis. Average length of life after diagnosis is variable dependent on which study is examined, however, average lifespans of up to around three years are reported in some studies.
What is the best treatment for feline diabetes?
These goals are best achieved through a combination of insulin and dietary therapy. Injectable insulin is a mainstay of treatment for feline diabetes. Unlike humans with Type II diabetes, oral medications to reduce blood sugar such as glipizide have not shown to be consistently effective in cats.
What kind of diabetes does a cat have?
When a cat is diabetic, it means he has too much circulating glucose (sugar) in his bloodstream because his body is unable to make insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or his cells do not respond to insulin (Type 2 diabetes). Type 2 diabetes is the most common form in cats.
Can a diabetic cat have hypersomatotropism?
Nearly all cats with hypersomatotropism and approximately 80% of cats with hyperadrenocorticism will develop diabetes, which oftentimes is difficult to regulate due to severe insulin resistance. Whereas hyperadrenocorticism is a rare disorder, hypersomatotropism may be present in 10% to 15% of diabetic cats.
Can a cat with diabetes go into remission?
A: It’s usually not cured. Some cats, when you start treating their diabetes and you get their blood sugar under control and get them on a reasonable diet and get them in a better body condition, their diabetes actually goes into remission or partial remission. There are cats that stay that way for many months.
