Diabetes is a condition wherein the body is not able to produce sufficiently or respond accurately to the insulin which is a pancreatic hormone that is produced to regulate the sugar levels in the blood. The insufficient production of insulin causes increased levels of sugar glucose in the blood. Glucose is the prime source by which the body obtains its energy that it requires.

Similar to the body of humans, cells in the body of a feline also have the requirement of sugar in glucose form for energy. Glucose in the blood needs insulin for metaphorically unlocking the cells’ doors. The hormone attaches itself to the signals and for the right amount of time so that the glucose can be absorbed. After the glucose is absorbed, the fats in the cells get deposited providing the necessary amount of fuel to the muscles and the liver by reducing the glucose levels in the blood. The concentration of glucose is high in type 1 diabetes as the production of insulin begins to drop.

Here are some facts on feline diabetes:

1. Diabetes mellitus in cats

In type 2 diabetes, the levels of glucose increase as the cells of the body do not respond in the right manner to the insulin. Cats who suffer from feline diabetes very commonly have type 2 diabetes.

2. Diagnosing diabetes in felines

The best thing to be done is to allow the veterinarian to perform the 12- to 24-hour glucose curve. During this time frame, the fluctuations in the insulin hormone are monitored intermittently and the glucose levels in the blood also get measured for the determination of the frequency of the dose and the type of insulin that would be ideal for controlling glucose levels in the blood. While at the same time, we also need to avoid the critically low levels of glucose in the blood the condition for which is termed as hypoglycemia.

3. Insulin types

Cats suffering from diabetes are frequently treated by insulin injections. Unlike the case of oral medications such as hypoglycemic medications which include glipizide that is used in the treatment of human diabetes, feline diabetes cannot be treated by it. Injecting insulin into the cat’s body can be taught to the cat parent and as they gain a bit of experience, the cat as well as the parent get accustomed to the insulin injections. The insulin injection can be prepared in various ways and every way works for varied periods and has various effects on the highs and lows of the glucose levels in the blood.

4. Diet for diabetic cats

The veterinarian may suggest that the cat be fed a diet in which the intake of carbohydrates is restricted that has resulted in an improvement in the levels of glucose present in the body of the cat. When a diet is considered, it must help the cat to handle the loss of weight that mostly takes place as a result of the development of feline diabetes.

5. Body weight

In the case of those cats who suffer from diabetes and are below the normal weight requirement, it usually means that they need to be fed multiple meals in a day or need to be allowed access to all kinds of foods at all times. In case the diabetic feline is overweight, the cat parent needs to discuss the issue with the veterinarian to establish a program of guaranteed weight loss. The proper management of the weight in the case of such cats will help in the maintenance of stability in the levels of glucose.