by Kerri Reed

Created on: January 19, 2009

Diabetes in cats is not a death sentence. Your cat can lead a normal, happy life with diabetes. As long as they are given their insulin shots daily, there is no reason to feel that this disease cannot be controlled. Veterinarian's agree that with proper treatment, cats can go on to exist with the disease and live life to their fullest. Having said that, it is important to look at what it will entail in caring for a cat with this disease.

There are two different kinds of diabetes. Type 1 is when the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin. This is controlled by giving the cat insulin shots daily. Type 2 is when the cat has high blood sugar levels because it is not responding to insulin. These two types of diabetes in cats both cause the ultimate dilemma. The cat begins to starve to death, and the owner is left feeling helpless. That is when the care of a veterinarian is necessary. There are many advancements in the field of diabetes for animals, and your vet can give you the exact treatment necessary to save your pet.

The signs that your cat may have this disease is weight loss and lethargy. Look for changes in their routine. If they are sleeping night and day, make sure that you are aware of their eating habits. Are they getting enough nutrition? These are important to watch out for, because weight loss is directly connected to a change in eating habits. Bacterial infections may become more prominent, and that can alert the vet to the fact that your cat's infection is masking a more serious disease.

When your vet evaluates your cat for diabetes, he/she will take blood and urine samples. Next, they will ask you for changes in the cat's behavior to rule out other problems, and finally they will prescribe insulin and demonstrate how to give your cat the medicine that it needs. Insulin is extremely important in the fight against diabetes. Keeping up with regular doses will be the key in keeping your cat healthy, and happy. A cat can have a normal life span with diabetes, as long as the owner follows the vet's orders and keeps up with the medicine regimen.

A diagnosis of diabetes is not a death sentence and should not be treated as one. With proper treatments, and regular vet care, your cat can lead a long and full life. This is good news for cat owners everywhere, who love and care for their animals. Advancements in the field of animal medicine have come a long way in helping our fur-babies have a long, and productive life.

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