Diabetes FAQ » Diabetes Q&A » Animal owners often ask if their cats can get diabetes, if so why do they get it, how can they tell if a cat has diabetes, what are the signs?

Animal owners often ask if their cats can get diabetes, if so why do they get it, how can they tell if a cat has diabetes, what are the signs?

Can Cats Contract Diabetes?

Yes, cats can have a condition called feline diabetes. Feline diabetes is similar to the human form of diabetes. Diabetes in humans or felines is a condition where the body is unable to control or balance the natural blood sugar levels. There are several types of feline body metabolism (endocrine) diseases that cats can contract. Diabetes mellitus is one that is most often seen in cats.

Two Types of Feline Mellitus

There are two types of feline Mellitus. Type 1 occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin because of the diminished pancreatic cells production (destroyed pancreatic cells). When that happens the body is not able to metabolize sugar properly. It happens in about 50-70% of the feline mellitus cases seen by vets.

Type Two Feline mellitus happens when the body is unable to properly utilize the insulin. This type of diabetes mellitus accounts for the other 30% of affected cats.

Are Certain Cats More Prone To Feline Diabetes Than Others?

One in about 400 cats will contract feline diabetes. Feline Diabetes is seen most often in male cats that have been neutered. It usually becomes a problem for cats that are over 6 years old. There is some evidence that certain breeds are more susceptible to the disease than others.

What are the Feline Diabetes Symptoms?

If your cat is showing signs of diabetes he will probably be urinating more than usual. The reasons for this is that the blood sugar levels are two high and the sugar is passing through the kidneys and coming out in the urine. The clinical name for this condition is glucosuria. When the cat is urinating too frequently, he is often going to be thirsty more often as well. You may also see changes in your cat’s appetite, he may be eating more often, but generally this condition causes him to eat even less often. Your cat may lose his beautiful coat; it may appear dull or more disheveled. Your cat may be tired and depressed.

When to take the cat to the vet

If your cat is experiencing any of these symptoms it is time to see the vet. Your cat may have feline diabetes or suffer from something else, Cats will also exhibit the same symptoms for female mellitus as they would for other diseases. However, only a vet can tell which ailment your cat is suffering from.

What are the tests for feline diabetes?

Your vet will run some blood tests and urine tests to distinguish if your cat has diabetes or another condition. Even if the results show high blood sugar, it does not have to mean that your cat has diabetes mellitus. He may have an elevated blood glucose level that is temporarily caused by stress or is due to the fact that he is on other medications. This temporary situation is known as transient hyperglycemia. Your vet will probably call the cat back for more blood and urine tests a few days later to see if the situation has been corrected in its own.

Your vet will measure the serum fructosamine levels in your cat and that way he or she will be able to tell if the cat is suffering from stress or if he actually has hyperglycemia due to diabetes mellitus. Also by testing the fructosamine levels your vet is able to monitor how your cat is responding to treatment.

Your cat once monitored and followed by the doctor can live a happy and healthy life, however, left untreated it can lead to seizers, coma, or death.

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