Diabetes in Cats
Diabetes mellitus can be a debilitating condition that is chronic in cats. This condition is more common in obese cats and male cats older than eight years.
Cats with feline diabetes are increasing in number. It is crucial to take preventative and management measures early to help your cat.
Diabetes mellitus, which is most commonly a condition that causes cells to become resistant to insulin, a hormone that helps glucose enter the cells, is the most common type of diabetes. This can lead to a rise in blood glucose levels.
Type II diabetes is the most common type in diabetic cats. This occurs when insulin resistance causes elevated glucose levels.
A vet visit is required for a complete diagnosis. However, a close inspection of your cat at home will help determine if there are any problems. Take your cat to Dr. If you see any of the following signs, bring your cat to Minta Keyes.
EARLY SIGNS OF DIABETES IN CATS
1. Excessive Urination & Thirst
If your cat is urinating often, they may have Type I or Type II Diabetes. The kidneys try to eliminate excess glucose from the body by excreting it through urine. High glucose levels can cause excessive water loss. An increase in urination can lead to high body water loss, dehydration and increased thirst.
2. Increased Weight Loss & Appetite
Diabetes means that cells cannot absorb glucose from the blood in the proper way. Starved cells can cause the body to use fats and proteins as an alternate source of energy.
In an unsuccessful attempt to fill the void after burning fats or proteins, a cat might lose weight and their appetite may increase.
LATER SIGNS OF DIABETES IN CATS
If a cat displays a combination of the following symptoms, they could be in critical condition and require intensive care. Later signs of diabetes include the following:
3. Inability to Jump & Loss of Interest
Although it may seem like a subtle indicator, you can still tell if your cat is sick by watching their activity. Your cat may become unable to jump on the furniture that they once could, which can indicate they are sick.
4. Change in Gait
Diabetes in Cats can cause weakness in cats, which causes them to walk on their hind legs. Neuropathy, which is a condition that affects the nerves of the hind legs and can lead to permanent paralysis, can develop from high blood sugar levels.
5. Lack of Appetite, Vomiting, Lethargy
If you notice any of these symptoms, your cat’s health could be in danger. Cats can become nauseated by hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. This can lead to lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite and even death.
The Diabeetus Cat
Okay, let’s get back to the origin. Okay, the origin of this meme is all that’s needed. It turns out that the diabeetus kitten is not an original meme, but rather a result of another.
Diabeetus
Experts refer to the diabeetus as an ” exploitable Soundbite” that is derived from a commercial. Liberty Medical hires American actor Wilford Brmley in order to promote the insurance that covers diabetes treatment.
Wilford explains to the viewers in the commercial how their insurance covers diabetic equipment. In the infomercial, Wilford keeps making mistakes in the pronunciation of the word diabetes and continues to say “diabeetus“.
The Internet couldn’t resist the opportunity to exploit this piece, and was born . What about the diabeetus feline? We’ll get there.
Spread of Diabeetus
Since 1999, Liberty Medical’s voice has been Wilford Brimley. It was quickly distributed and edited after the infomercial with Brimley went viral.
Nathan Eldridge created one of the earliest remixes and uploaded it on YouTube January 24, 2006. It includes Wilford repeatedly rapping ” diabeetus“.
Common memes include Wilford’s image and the word diabeetus. These macros often pair diabeetus and other animals. This is the diabeetus cats.
Diabeetus Cat
The Diabeetus cat is actually a derivative from diabeetus. This cat looks a lot like Wilford. The 5 second mark is up when the frowning cat opens his mouth. This is the moment in which “diabeetus” is added.
Feline Diabetes: Symptoms, Treatments, Prevention, and Diet Tips
Q: How common is feline diabetes?
A: The true incidence isn’t known, but it’s estimated at 0.5% to 2% of the feline population. But it’s also probably under diagnosed.
Q: What are the signs of diabetes in cats?
A: The main symptoms are increased thirst and increased urination. And while we do see it in cats with appropriate body weight, it’s more common in obese cats. Some cats with diabetes have a ravenous appetite because their bodies cannot use the fuel supplied in their diet.
To establish insulin therapy, there are several tests that can be done, including blood and urine tests and physical examinations.
This should be done with your veterinarian. Because insulin therapy can be complicated for cats, we don’t recommend that owners adjust it on their own. Patients usually visit us every three to four months. It is a good idea to check that nothing else is happening.
Q: Will I have to test my cat’s blood every day and give them shots?
A: The blood tests are usually done at your regular veterinarian visits. However, people can also do them if they wish. Owners will need to administer shots to their cats. This is something that many people fear.
It’s easy to teach a pet owner how to do it correctly. It can even be empowering for pet owners to do this kind of thing for their pets.
Some cats can stay this way for several months. Some cats may even live that way for many years. It could happen. Diabetes is a condition that we can control but cannot cure.
Q: Can I prevent my cat from getting diabetes with diet and not letting them get too fat?
A: Because there aren’t enough studies to prove it, nobody can say that diet can stop your cat getting diabetes. A few clinical studies have supported the belief that low-carbohydrate diets can help diabetic cats manage their blood sugar better.
We know obesity is a risk factor. However, there are certain breeds of cats who get diabetes more often than others. This suggests that there could be a genetic component.
Q: Should I only feed them dry food or just wet food or both?
A: This is the current controversy. This is a controversial topic. When you think about what a cat would eat, it’s likely that they are carnivores. If they were outside, the diet they would consume would be very high-protein and low-carbohydrate.
The argument is that this is what cats have evolved to eat, and it is healthier for them. Dry food is good for cats. Because it’s easier for people.
Some people don’t like canned food. There are many cats who eat dry food, and they don’t get diabetics. 20-year-old cats are known to eat dry food.
However, I can assure you that diabetic cats can live into their teens if they are well managed. Although it takes a lifetime of dedication, it is possible.
Q: What does it cost to care for a diabetic cat?
A: Most clients probably spend about $20-$30 a month on insulin, syringes, and other supplies. It’s not terribly expensive once it’s being managed.
Q: What are the newest treatments for feline diabetes?
A: Newer insulins are currently being tested. The potential of some insulin analogs for human diabetics is being explored in diabetic cats. These have fewer side effects and provide better blood sugar control. There are always new ways to help diabetic cats.
THE BOTTOM LINE ON FELINE DIABETES
Your veterinarian should be contacted immediately if you suspect that your cat may have a serious illness. Diabetes mellitus symptoms include excessive urination, thirst and increased appetite. The Cat Hospital in Tucson is committed to supporting pet owners throughout their cat’s lives.