Posted: November 12, 2010, 3 a.m. EDT
As with people, obesity predisposes cats to diabetes. |
This November, American Diabetes Month, cat owners should remember that diabetes isn't just a human disease. Cats can suffer from diabetes, too.
The most common form of diabetes in the United States, type 2 diabetes, occurs in cats and people. Feline diabetes, a treatable and manageable disease on the rise, affects approximately one in 200 cats nationwide.
"Similar to humans, obesity predisposes cats to diabetes, making diet a major factor in maintaining a cat's health," says Ruth MacPete, DVM, a San Diego based veterinarian. "Feline diabetes, like most diseases, is easier to treat the earlier it is diagnosed."
Early warning signs of feline diabetes include:
Increased thirstSudden increase in appetiteSudden weight loss (despite an increase in appetite)Increased urinationIncreased lethargy
Most cats with feline diabetes may still maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. Along with appropriate diet and exercise, veterinarians often recommend insulin injections for diabetic cats.
MacPete says veterinarians are fortunate to have FDA approved long-acting insulin for cats to help them effectively regulate their feline diabetic patients. As with all insulins, cats should be evaluated for pre-existing conditions and currently prescribed medications prior to treatment. Routine monitoring of clinical signs and blood parameters, such as glucose and fructosamine, is essential to maintain a regulated cat.
While November is American Diabetes Month, cat owners should monitor their cats for symptoms of feline diabetes year-round. The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends that a veterinarian examine cats at least once a year and twice annually if they are over the age of seven. Evaluating diabetes in cats during these exams is crucial.
For more information about feline diabetes, click here.
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