Feline Diabetes Basics

By Jean Hofve, DVM

Has your cat been diagnosed with diabetes? Are you looking for the most accurate and up-to-date information on this condition in cats? Are you interested in alternative treatments? Do you want to know how to prevent the disease from developing?

The following information is excerpted from "Feline Diabetes," a special report from Little Big Cat.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus ("sugar" diabetes) is a disease that results from one or more abnormalities of the pancreas, a digestive organ that secretes numerous substances, including insulin, glucagons, bicarbonate, and digestive enzymes. The malfunction is in the areas that produce insulin, a hormone that controls blood sugar levels. In the most common type of feline diabetes, there are two defects. One is that the pancreas, for some reason, is not producing enough insulin, and the other is that the cells of the body become resistant to insulin's action. Humans with this form of diabetes are usually treated with drugs, but cats often respond well to insulin.

What causes diabetes?

There are many known and speculated causes of diabetes. Genetics plays at least some role in the development of the disease. Obesity can set up ideal conditions for diabetes to occur. Inflammation, whether of the pancreas itself (pancreatitis) or elsewhere in the body, appears to have a significant influence. Certain commonly used drugs can cause diabetes. The immune system, and proteins such as amyloid and leptin, have also been implicated. Research suggests that vaccination may contribute to the problem. However, of all the potential causes, diet stands out as the primary player. High-carbohydrate dry cat foods are, if not the cause, at least the trigger that produces diabetes in most cats.

How is diabetes treated?

There are several accepted conventional treatments for feline diabetes:

• Insulin
• Oral Hypoglycemic Drugs
• High Protein, Low Carbohydrate Diet

There are also a number of herbal and nutritional supplements that may be helpful for diabetic cats:

• Diaplex (by Standard Process)
• Cataplex GTF (by Standard Process)
• Chromium
• Vanadium
• Magnesium
• Gamma Linolenic Acid
• Vitamin B6
• l-Arginine
• Milk Thistle
• Antioxidants
• Omega-3 fatty acids

What are the complications of diabetes?

Treating diabetes is not easy, and complications can develop. The most common is hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) from too much insulin. This usually happens when the cat is not eating or is vomiting, but still gets a full dose of insulin. Without food to provide enough glucose, the cat's blood sugar can drop to such low levels that they can have seizures or even die. But not giving enough insulin can cause problems as well; poorly regulated diabetic cats can develop ketoacidosis, a life-threatening emergency. Muscle and nerve problems can also occur over time.

How do I monitor my diabetic cat?

There are urine test strips and home blood testing monitors that can greatly assist you in tracking the effectiveness of treatment.

Preventing Diabetes

Decisions you make now can have significant implications for your cat's health. If you have other cats in your home, or a new cat is in your future, you need to know how to prevent diabetes from ever developing.

My Qualifications

My background includes 9 years as a holistic feline veterinarian and freelance writer, as well as extensive experience in science and research. I've written articles for Cats, The Whole Cat Journal and The Whole Dog Journal, and many other publications. I'm internationally known as an expert on pet food, having been interviewed on radio and television from California to Colorado to England on pet nutrition, supplements, and the commercial pet food industry. I attend meetings of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), the body that provides standards and regulations for commercial pet food. I've even taught seminars on pet food to the veterinary students at Colorado State University and the University of California at Davis.

What makes this report special?

You can easily find tons of free information about feline diabetes on the internet. I have sorted through dozens of websites to select the best, most accurate, most current, and most helpful information available, and provided links to each site. Additionally, the most essential facts from the very latest diabetes research, both human and feline, are also included, in a way that makes it understandable to anyone, even if you don't have a science background. Plus, nowhere else can you find a summary of all the nutritional supplements that may be helpful for diabetic cats, with complete dosage information.