SOAPBOX | PET GAZETTE | 23
being overweight or obese.
In recent years, studies have shown that
an increasing number of cats are developing
diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes means that the
cat is unable to produce insulin, which is
vital for balancing blood sugar and glucose
levels. If untreated, it can cause a variety of
health problems, and can even lead to death.
Diabetes is just as serious in cats as it is in
humans, however, there is less awareness
around this condition in pets, meaning that
many owners are unaware of the risks that
come with it or how to spot the signs of
diabetes.
The most crucial factor with diabetes is
spotting the symptoms as soon as possible,
as the earlier it’s spotted the easier it is to treat.
The sooner treatment begins, the less likely it
is that the cat will suffer from serious health
problems as a result.
The main symptoms of diabetes mellitus
in cats is increased thirst and increased
urination. Advice owners that if they notice
either of these things it will be important to
get their cat checked out as soon as possible
by a vet. If they think that their cat may be
overweight, it’s also crucial that they take
them to the vet for a health check. That way, if
there is an issue with their weight, owenrs can
make changes to their diet immediately.
There have been many clinical studies
done on diabetes risk and weight in cats,
and what has been found is that cats that
are overweight or obese have an increased
risk of developing diabetes. However, weight
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is not the only risk factor – studies have
shown that certain breeds of cats are more
prone to developing diabetes. It has been
found that the cat breeds most at risk of
developing diabetes include the Russian Blue,
Norwegian Forest Cat, and Abyssian breeds,
while the study also showed that domestic
cats compared to purebred cats had an
increased risk of developing diabetes.
When treating a cat with diabetes, the
treatments used tend to be similar to how
human diabetes is managed, via diet and
insulin therapy. In addition to these two
treatments, regular blood tests are also
crucial, to ensure that the cat is receiving the
right insulin dosage and that their dietary
changes are making a difference. The idea
of giving a cat daily insulin injections can
scare some pet owners, however, what it’s
important to understand is that once they
know how to give these injections, it is really
easy.
Diabetes is not a curable condition, in
normal instances. There have been cases
where a cat’s blood sugar and glucose levels
have been brought under control and as a
direct result of this, they have gone into partial
remission. Usually, this isn’t the case, in
most cases of feline diabetes, managing the
condition all that can be done.
Overweight cats have a much higher
chance of developing diabetes. However, it’s
important to realise that weight is not the only
factor when it comes to feline diabetes.
June 2019