Pin Cushion Cats

Diabetes Mellitus, also known as sugar diabetes is a common malady in cats. They are often older, overweight and drink a tremendous amount of water. The disease is caused by a deficiency of insulin. This is a hormone that is produced in the cats’ body, like ours, in the pancreas. The exact cause for the onset of this disease is unknown, but obesity is a predisposing factor.

Diabetes Mellitus often occurs in older, overweight cats.

In the past, 70% of the cats that had been diagnosed with this condition required twice daily injections of insulin. These felines are usually pretty good sports about being poked, but having to rush home to administer the injections often caused scheduling difficulties for the pet owner. New research has made the control of this disease less needling and more effective.

A medication used to assist in controlling diabetes in people is now being used in cats, Glipizide. This drug is given orally, usually twice daily. Not all cats respond to its affect but for many popping a pill is all that is needed. For others, it has decreased their dependency on the injections.

Dietary changes have also allowed some cats to totally do without daily insulin supplementation. For years, veterinarians treated diabetic cats like small dogs and people with regard to how and what they were fed. A cats’ metabolism is very different than ours. Studies have found that feeding a cat a canned variety of a growth type food, a kitten food for instance, allowed the cat to increase its lean muscle weight and decrease its need for insulin.

Dietary changes have allowed some cats to do without daily insulin injections.

If you have a diabetic cat, follow your veterinarian’s instructions. If you feel that your cat could benefit from oral medication or a change in its diet, check with your veterinarian first. Diabetes mellitus can be a life threatening disease if not properly monitored.