What happens if a cat has diabetes mellitus?
In diabetes mellitus, your cat’s body no longer produces enough insulin, the chemical that regulates blood sugar levels, leaving your cat with high levels of sugar in the blood. The consequences of this can be severe, including liver disease, secondary infections, and a potentially fatal condition known as ketoacidosis.
What causes diabetic neuropathy in a feline?
Feline diabetic neuropathy occurs only in cats who suffer from diabetes mellitus. In diabetes mellitus, your cat’s body no longer produces enough insulin, the chemical that regulates blood sugar levels, leaving your cat with high levels of sugar in the blood.
Can a diabetic cat have nerve damage?
It occurs when chronic high blood glucose levels cause nerve damage and can be potentially fatal to your diabetic cat. Read the following information in order to educate yourself about how this complication is caused, its symptoms, and how you can treat it.
How to treat an uncontrolled diabetic cat?
An Uncontrolled Diabetic Cat 1 HISTORY. Sugar was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus 2 years prior to presentation. 2 PHYSICAL EXAMINATION. 3 LABORATORY ANALYSIS. 4 DIAGNOSTIC APPROACH1,2. 5 THIS CASE: DIAGNOSIS. 6 TREATMENT APPROACH. 7 THIS CASE: TREATMENT & FOLLOW-UP. 8 PROGNOSIS. 9 THIS CASE: OUTCOME. …
What happens if diabetes is untreated in a cat?
If you notice any of these signs, take your cat to the veterinarian immediately. If untreated, diabetes in cats can lead to severe issues, including weakness in the legs (diabetic neuropathy), diabetic ketoacidosis, infections, cataracts, nausea, kidney failure, severe dehydration, seizures, coma, and even death, explains Koble.
What should I do if my cat has diabetes?
Cats in the early stages of feline diabetes may show very few symptoms, remaining alert and active. Treatment involves the introduction, or adjustment, of feline insulin. Your cat’s diabetes will need to be addressed and managed in order to bring about any degree of recovery from feline diabetic neuropathy.
What are the risk factors for diabetes in cats?
In rare cases of uncontrolled diabetes, cats may experience damage to the nerves in the hind limbs, resulting in a “plantegrade” stance of the hind limbs (walking or standing “down in the hocks”). Risk factors for diabetes in cats include obesity, increasing age, physical inactivity, male gender, neutering, and glucocorticoid (steroid) therapy.
How does feline diabetic neuropathy affect your cat?
… Feline diabetic neuropathy is a rare complication of feline diabetes. It occurs when chronic high blood glucose levels cause nerve damage and can be potentially fatal to your diabetic cat. Read the following information in order to educate yourself about how this complication is caused, its symptoms, and how you can treat it.
