Diabetes
Diabetes:
A
disease mostly of old cats caused by faulty diet, obesity, genetic
factors, or reaction to some drugs. The animal loses weight, drinks
an unusual amount of water, urinates frequently, and is weak. Diagnosis
is through urine analysis. Treatment is with insulin and diet control.
Diabetes
Mellitus ("sugar" diabetes) is a fairly common disease
seen in the cat. There are two types: Insulin Dependent (IDDM),
comprising about 50-70% of cats, and non-Insulin Dependent (NIDDM),
about 30-50% of cats. While NIDDM is usually caused by obesity,
and is reversible, IDDM can be caused by a verity of factors, including
pancreatic islet amyloidosis, obesity, infection, concurrent illness,
certain drugs (such as cortisone), pancreatitis, genetic predisposition,
and immune-medicated insulitis. Pancreatitis, islet amyloidosis,
and renal insufficiency secondary to diabetes have recently been
strongly implicated in association with both forms of diabetes.
Many
cats have transient diabetes, in which insulin requirements disappear
completely. Both types cause the cat to develop "hyperglycemia,"
unusually high blood sugar levels. The classic signs of diabetes
are an obese cat with excessive thirst {polydipsia}, excessive urination
{polyuria}, and a ravenous appetite combined with weight loss. Some
cats may develop a plantigrade posture, where the hocks touch the
ground when they walk. The additional signs of loss of appetite,
weakness, vomiting, dehydration, and occasionally a strong odor
of acetone on the breath which may indicate a dangerous state in
a diabetic called ketoacidosis. Diagnosis of ketoacidosis is usually
made upon measuring large amounts of ketones in the cats urine.
This condition is fatal if not treated promptly.
Initial
treatment for a diabetic animal requires 24-48 hours of hospitalization
for glucose during initial insulin administration. Then, weekly
12-14 hour "glucose curves" are required to evaluate patient
response, lasting 4-6 weeks. Periodic glucose levels need to be
monitored, how often depending on how well the patient is responding.
In
general, diabetes mellitus carries a guarded long term diagnosis
in cats, with an average survival time between 18-24 months, all
depending on the age of onset, and concurrent illness. However,
with proper veterinary care by owners, timely evaluations by your
vet, and good owner-veterinarian communication, many diabetic cats
can live relatively normal lives for several years.
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