Caring For Cats
Caring For Cats With Diabetes
Diabetes is not uncommon in cats. While it strikes mainly older cats, younger cats can also be affected.
Diabetes is a serious condition in which the body either does not produce enough insulin (a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels) or does not break down and utilize sugar (glucose) as it should. There is no cure for diabetes, but it is treatable. Cats with diabetes will need lifelong care for their condition.
Cats with diabetes show a number of symptoms. The first symptoms that you may notice include excessive thirst and excessive urination. Cats normally do not drink much water, and if you notice your cat is suddenly drinking a lot, you should take her to the vet. The same goes with excessive urination. You may notice your cat in the litter box more often, or your litter-trained cat may suddenly begin having "accidents" in the house.
Other symptoms of cats with diabetes include increased appetite, weight loss, lethargy, a dull coat, and weakness in the rear legs. Sudden weight loss almost always means your cat is sick. A dull coat is also a common sign of illness. Weakness in any part of the body is something to be concerned about. If you notice these things in your pet, take her to the vet.
It is easy to diagnose cats with diabetes. Based on your description of your cat's symptoms, the vet will probably suspect diabetes. The vet will test your cat's blood for a glucose level. This may need to be done when your cat has not eaten for about twelve hours, so ask about when to feed your cat when you schedule the appointment.
The vet will also want to do a urinalysis, so take a urine sample with you if you can. He or she will check the urine for sugar. If there is sugar in the urine, it means that the body is not absorbing and utilizing sugar the way it should.
Treating a cat with diabetes can be difficult. There are a lot of variables in play.
Your cat will probably need daily insulin injections. Your vet will show you how to give these at home. Many cat owners are hesitant to give their cat shots, but it's easy to do and the insulin needles are so small that cats usually don't react at all to the injection.
Diet also plays a big part in managing diabetes. Ask your vet about the best food to feed your cat. It is usually recommended that a cat with diabetes be fed a low-carb, high-protein diet. There are commercial cat foods designed specifically for cats with diabetes, or you can feed your cat a homemade diet if you prefer.
You'll need to feed your cat the same amount every day and at the same time every day. Otherwise, her blood sugar levels may fluctuate, affecting the amount of insulin she should be given.
If your cat is overweight, it will be important for her to lose those extra pounds. Ask your vet about how much you should feed your cat. There are "light" or diet cat foods available, but these are often high in carbohydrates and not suitable for cats with diabetes.
With proper treatment, cats with diabetes can live long and happy lives. It just takes a commitment from the owner to provide proper care.
Sources:
http://www.felinediabetes.com. Feline Diabetes.
Cornell Feline Health Center. http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/diabetes.html. Feline Diabetes.
By Kelly Morris - I am a former social worker and now make my living as a freelance writer. My work has been featured in a number of publications, both online and in print.
Can I give my cat her vaccine orally instead of intra-nasally as directed?
She sneezed out all of the last one I gave her 2 weeks ago. I used to have a really big dog kennel business but caring for cats is alot different. My old Himalayan didnt sneeze or react at all when he got his intra nasal vaccine. I have to save money by giving my own vaccines and they dont sell the shots anymore. Anyone know if I can give it orally ? Its going to the same place after all..( nose vs. mouth)
( I feel she is not getting any of the vaccine in her body because she shakes her head and sneezes it out (in my face! lol!) automatically while I give it to her, very aggravating!)
Get the answers...
how to care for cat-grass?
I recently bought a pot of pet grass or cat grass that are for your cat. I didn't buy it from the pet store, I bought it from one of the farmer's market on Union Square in Manhattan. The lady at the the adoption center told me to get some from there because they're REAL cat grass.
Anyway. I bought these a few days ago, the lady I bought it from told me to water it a little bit a day and put it next to their water bowl.
The first day, my cat nibbled on it A LOT! They really liked it. When I gave them food, they actually went to eat the grass instead, and then nibbled on their canned food, then back to the grass.
The second day, I watered it a bit like I was instructed but I noticed it was turning a bit yellow at night, so I thought it was a little too little. And ended up watering it more.
Now, the third day, the plant is pretty yellow. My cat sniffs it and nibbles it only a little bit now :(
Am I doing something wrong? Should I put it in a bigger pot so it won't die as fast? Because the grass is pretty packed in that little pot the lady gave me in.
Get the answers...
What would be a good name for a veterinary clinic located in the city?
General pet care for cats and dogs.
Get the answers...
Names: Which name for an animal care service do you think is the best?
It's Affordable Pet Care Services
It's Affordable Veterinary Care Services
The Vet Is On The Way Pet Care Services
Personal Touch Pet Care Services
Concrete Jungle Critter Care
Help Is On The Way Pet Care
Primary Health Animal Care Services
My Very Own Vet Inc.
Optimum Health Animal Care Services
My Pet's Doctor is Better Than Mine! Veterinary Care Services
Primary Care for Cats & Dogs
Any Constructive suggestions will be greatly appreciated and honored...Thanks in advance:)
Get the answers...
Is there something inherently offensive about weasels?
I'd like to know how to entertain a bored weasel. He doesn't seem to care for cat toys.
All questions have been "reported by community"
I've posted in "pets" and p&s.
Anyone here in R&S know anything about entertaining weasels?
LOL, I'm sure he would find a female weasel to be very entertaining indeed, but that might lead to weaslets.
SpartanCanuck knows his weasels! That is a genius idea, ashamed I didn't think of it myself. Thank you :)
Thanks to all - no thumbs down from me.
Get the answers...
|
Next page: Cat Abnormal Behavior
Bookmark/Share This Page:
|
|
||
Caring For Cats News
Caring for cats, dogs when you're away - The Hill
Caring for cats, dogs when you're away The Hill By Kate Oczypok - 05/15/12 07:16 PM ET You've packed up your bags, set up your “out of office” email and thrown on your favorite pair of shorts. But there's one minor problem staring you in the face: Fido, his floppy ears and big, dark eyes. |
Model murder cover-up: Death of John Lennon's friend in Hungary linked to ... - Daily Mail
 Daily Mail | Model murder cover-up: Death of John Lennon's friend in Hungary linked to ... Daily Mail Mrs Rhodes had spent 12 years caring for cats and dogs at the Puss in Boots sanctuary that was partly funded by a gift from Yoko Ono. She had been the target of a hate campaign and had clashed with local police. Miss Majlath, a co-laureate who won the ... |
Meow-velous fundraiser comes back to Lakewood - Our Colorado News
Meow-velous fundraiser comes back to Lakewood Our Colorado News “These are just a couple of the programs we offer, and they cost a lot of money, so all the money we raise goes back into caring for cats,” Scott said. The cats will be on display at the Co-op Gallery through May, then they will make their way to the ... |
The purr-fect couple - Bangalore Mirror
The purr-fect couple Bangalore Mirror They now want to run a permanent home for the animals on the lines of 'Cattitude', the Chennai-based non-profit organisation dedicated to caring for cats. At the moment, the foster home is being run on a trial basis and the couple has roped in friends ... |
Massive growth in premium pooch pampering - TVNZ
Massive growth in premium pooch pampering TVNZ ... the country but Carol said they will not take on just anyone. "The people that we want, they have to be the same type of people that we are - you have to love the animals." The Ellis' have been breeding and caring for cats and dogs for 35 years. |
