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.
