Should you put down a diabetic cat?
They are usually euthanized because they are so ill that the prognosis is poor due to ketoacidosis and/or other diseases like renal failure and neoplasia. Others in this group are euthanized because owners are not financially capable of caring for a diabetic cat or have no desire to do so.
How old do cats have to be to have diabetes?
Diabetes in Older Cats. Obesity is a predisposing factor for all cats, and Burmese cats may have a genetic predisposition. Male cats have twice the risk of females. At greatest risk are neutered male cats over 10 years of age and over 15 pounds in weight.
What are the signs of diabetes in cats?
Early signs of diabetes may be subtle and mild — weight loss, increased hunger and thirst are examples. Blood and urine tests are necessary to diagnose the disease and most cats (once diagnosed and treated appropriately) live very normal lives. Diabetes develops in about 1 in 100-200 cats 1.
What causes Type 2 diabetes in older cats?
Diabetes in Older Cats. Incidence and causes of diabetes in cats Diabetes develops in about 1 in 100-200 cats 1. An increased incidence of diabetes mellitus has been noted in Burmese cats in Australia and the UK. Diabetes mellitus can occur due to a deficiency of insulin or because of an inability of the body to respond to insulin 2.
Why are male cats more likely to have diabetes?
Male cats have twice the risk of females. At greatest risk are neutered male cats over 10 years of age and over 15 pounds in weight. One possible reason that diabetes is more common in old cats is that, quite simply, they have been exposed to potential causes longer.
How old does a cat have to be to have diabetes?
Diabetes, and Type II diabetes specifically, is a very common disorder in cats. The condition is most common in overweight, neutered male cats over 8 years of age, and those that exclusively eat a high carbohydrate diet (which includes pretty much any diet of dry cat food).
Early signs of diabetes may be subtle and mild — weight loss, increased hunger and thirst are examples. Blood and urine tests are necessary to diagnose the disease and most cats (once diagnosed and treated appropriately) live very normal lives. Diabetes develops in about 1 in 100-200 cats 1.
Who is most at risk for type 2 diabetes in cats?
Which cats are most at risk? Diabetes, and Type II diabetes specifically, is a very common disorder in cats. The condition is most common in overweight, neutered male cats over 8 years of age, and those that exclusively eat a high carbohydrate diet (which includes pretty much any diet of dry cat food).
Can a cat with diabetes have kidney failure?
When an older cat is presented to the veterinarian with the common symptoms of drinking lots of water, urinating tons and losing weight, a diagnosis of feline diabetes can actually be good news. It’s often better news than kidney failure or liver failure in many cases.
