Treatment for Feline Diabetes

The purpose of feline diabetes treatment is to slow the disease's progress by maintaining normal blood glucose levels. Each diabetic cat is a personal,and each responds differently to treatment. A few diabetic cats are easy to regulate,others aren't. There are possible regimes for the diabetic cat. Depending on the seriousness of the disease, in mild cases the cat may be managed with diet alone. In cats with more severe diabetes, insulin injections might be required for the remainder of their lives.

Successful management of  the diabetic cat is a challenge  to both you as owners and to us as veterinarians. Treatment of diabetes involves daily insulin injections, weight control and dietary management, in addition to recognising and treating any complications as early as possible. In many cases it may take 2-3 months to fully stabilise a diabetic cat (i.e. achieve blood sugar levels at a consistent level, low enough to cease signs of diabetes).Generally treament for feline diabetes falls into three categories:Insulin injections, Diet and Oral Hypoglycemic Medications.

Treatment:

+Insulin injections

Insulin is the cornerstone of treatment of most diabetic cats. Most diabetic cats require insulin injections administered under their skin twice daily. The injections can be given at home, generally at the same time each day. Currently, insulin can only be given by injection. The choice of insulin type thus depends on the veterinarian’s preference and experience, together with the response of each individual cat. Insulin type, dose and frequency of administration are important aspects of diabetes treatment.

+Diet

In addition to giving your pet insulin,the first part of treatment for your diabetic cat probably will involve changes to your pet's diet. Diabetic cats are usually put on high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets. Obese cats are more likely to develop diabetes. In fact, kitties who weigh in at 15 pounds or more have double the risk of diabetes than the under-15-pound crowd. If your cat is overweight, you should help him lose weight through diet and increased exercise. Your veterinarian can tailor a safe weight-loss program,in which your pet loses weight gradually.

A high-fiber diet helps control diabetes by regulating the rate at which nutrients are taken into body cells. This keeps blood sugar levels more consistent and weight loss. Many diabetic kitties can have their blood sugar levels returned to normal through diet and weight loss alone.

+Oral Hypoglycemic Medications

Diabetic cats can sometimes be successfully treated with glipizide, an orally administered hypoglycemic medications that lowers blood glucose. Oral medications like glipizide that stimulate the pancreas, promoting insulin release (or reduce glucose production), are less and less used in kitties,and these drugs may be completely ineffective if the pancreas is not working. There are some oral medications, but they have more side effects(although uncommon): include vomiting, loss of appetite, liver damage and are mainly used when insulin can't be used for some reason. In addition, the administration of oral medication on a long-term basis is difficult for many cats and their owners, insulin injections might be a better choice for them.