Diabetic Cat

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Diabetic Cat

by Mike Kostie
(McKees Rocks PA)

Photo by Tanakawho

I'm giving my cat petsulin (new) med. 2 units every 12 hours. She still seems lethargic, and I'm worried because she's dehydrated...badly.

How can i get fluids into her if she won't drink? The vet kept her overnight last week, and gave her an i.v.

What can i do?

Hi, Mike,

I'm not sure if you mean her insulin has been switched to the new kind or she is a newly diagnosed diabetic. In any case, she needs attention right away.

She doesn't sound stabilized at all. She needs to remain in the hospital until she is drinking and eating on her own and her blood glucose levels are acceptable throughout the day.

You cannot possibly get enough fluids into her at home unless your vet instructs you how to give subcutaneous fluids at home.

That may be acceptable at some point. However, she needs to be stable first in the hospital or she can die.

Also, when she is stable, she shouldn't need fluids given at home because she should be drinking and eating on her own.

Feel free to write back and tell me more or ask further questions. Good luck.
Dr. Neely

Comments for
Diabetic Cat

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Jul 28, 2011

Be careful...
by: Val

To all people that have a cat with diabetes and you are having a hard time regulating them with insulin...our cat was 15 and we went from giving her 7 units to 1 unit within 3-4 months. She was still drinking a lot of water and losing weight. I held off on bringing her to the vets because she would get so upset at the vets and would take 4-5 days to recover from her visit. With that said, I did finally bring her and it ended up that her kidneys were shutting down (which happens in older cats). Just a reminder that some of the symptoms of kidney disease are the same as a diabetic cat. We did eventually have to put her down about 2 months ago, but she lived a full life as a diabetic cat :-) We now have 2 new kittens to enjoy ... not to replace her, but to enjoy.

Thank you for sharing.

Dr. Neely

Jul 28, 2011

My Opinion
by: Anonymous

The comment about diabetic cat treatment submitted here was too long to post so it can be found along with my answer at www.askthecatdoctor.com

Mar 24, 2011

diabetes cure?
by: Anonymous

I used organic coconut oil on a hot spot that my diabetic cat had on his leg for a couple of days. I then noticed after testing his blood that his sugar had regulated and he didn't need a shot.
This was over a year ago and he still has not needed a shot yet. He was diabetic for 7 years with 2 shots daily. Every couple of days I put coconut oil on his paw and he licks it off. Seems to have worked for my cat. It's definitely worth a try.

Jan 05, 2011

She is still drinking tons of water
by: Susan

My kitty is 10 years old, and was diagnosed with diabetes in November 2010. She is getting 3 units of insulin a aday (caninsulin 2.5 ml), but she is still drinking lots, and eating constantly, and is getting thinner and thinner. Does she need to be on more insulin? She eats Hills Science Diet Light, and I have tried her on the special MD but she will not eat it. Anyone out here have any suggestions or help. Thank you so much.

It certainly sounds like your kitty's diabetes is not under control. You should see your veterinarian for a blood glucose test to determine whether she is getting enough insulin. There could also be other medical problems going on, such as dental disease or other underlying conditions, that need to be addressed to help lower her blood glucose. Also, your kitty may need to take a different kind of insulin or could even be insulin-resistant.

All of these things are possibilities, but you should consult with your veterinarian for the best answer. The symptoms you described certainly indicate that something needs to be changed for her, but only a blood glucose test at your veterinarian can determine where to go from here.

In the future, please submit your personal questions in the Cat Forum as a new submission. Questions asked in the Comments section of another thread can be overlooked.

Best wishes,
Dr. Neely

Sep 09, 2010

Time frame for giving insulin after eating
by: Anonymous

How long after my cat eats can I wait to give her the insulin, or do I always have to give it to her as soon as she is finished eating?

You should consult your vet for the best answer because I do not know what kind of insulin your kitty is getting or how much or anything about your cat. However, the general rule is give the insulin at the same time each day if you give it once daily or if it is given twice daily, give around the same times each day and try to stay roughly 12 hours apart.

You always want to know that your kitty is eating normally and not vomiting and is acting normally before giving the insulin.

Best,
Dr. Neely

Sep 09, 2009

Diabetic Cat
by: Anonymous

My cat is 18 years old. Just diagnosed with Diabetes. I can't afford the insulin which breaks my heart. Is there anything else i can do for her to make her a little more comfortable?

Her old symptoms are: she is still drinking a lot of water and urinating a lot.

Her new symptoms are: she no longer sleeps through the night and wakes me up around 2am every morning because she gets hungry. Not only does she get hungry though but her stomach growls like she hasn't eaten in days.

What does that mean? She is so old now i feed her whenever she wants it. So it is not like she isn't getting food. We put her on wet food instead of dry food but still have the dry food out for our other cat.

What can i do?

What you are seeing are symptoms of her disease. You can't do anything except provide the food and water she needs. However, insulin for cats is very inexpensive because their daily dosage is so small. If someone told you otherwise, please double check. There are also special foods that help decrease a diabetic's insulin requirements and can be very helpful. They are prescription only and are therefore a bit more expensive, but very helpful. DM and M/D are two such diets.

Aug 11, 2009

12 yr old cat with diabetes
by: Val

We have been giving our cat 7 units 2 times a day for approx 2 years. The needle usually doesn't bother her at all. However, lately it is difficult to give her the needle. It is as if her skin is thicker (sounds weird but the only way to describe it). She also cries when we give it to her. She was so thin before and is now up to her normal weight. She eats special food from the vets (KD???). Doesn't drink in excess like before. Any thoughts of why this is happening?

It can happen over time that the skin where you have been injecting for quite some time now does indeed become tough (scarred). Not to worry, but try to give the injections a little lower or in any different place on her body and rotate the location. The injection can be given under the skin ANYWHERE on her body.

Apr 22, 2009

can cats recover enough to not need insulin?
by: kmph

My vet has diagnosed my 12 yr old cat with diabetes and put her on insulin (2 units) twice a day. she is doing better already, after being on it for 3 days....my question is: the vet told me that after awhile on the insulin she will start to make her own sugars again and can be taken off the insulin. Nothing I have read online tonight mentions this! I have gone to over a dozen websites and have not read anything close to this....being a new "mom" to diabetes I am confused.

Also: he did not mention changing her diet...?

Every diabetic cat deserves a trial of the prescription diet M/D. Yes, cats CAN lose their requirement for insulin. Many do, but one cannot say that they all do and we cannot predict which ones will. Eating M/D and keeping the weight down are the best things you can do to increase the chances of your cat becoming non-diabetic.

Dr. Neely

Apr 07, 2009

Feline Diabetes Support Group
by: Anonymous

Anyone with a diabetic cat is welcome to join the great support group at FelineDiabetes.com . We have members all over the world and you can get support day or night. Education and safety of your cat are the primary goals. There are members familiar with many insulins, such as vetsulin, lantus and levemir. There are even insulin-specific support groups.

Mar 25, 2009

cat diabetes
by: Anonymous

My cat was recently diagnosed with diabetes, but is having diahrea and has not been able to come home from the vet for over a week. They put a cath in him and got him hydrated and eventually he started eating...how long will the diahrea continue...the vet isn't sure what is causing it.

Diarrhea in a case like this is often due to change in diet. They are probably feeding him something different from what he is used to eating. Also, diabetics are prone to infections including intestinal infections.

Nov 16, 2008

help
by: Anonymous

Hi my cat has diabetes now for three months her sugar count is still really hi we ahve changed her insillion already three times she is on 7 units twice a day what do you think the problem could be

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Aug 31, 2008

Diabetic Cat Cure?
by: Anonymous

QUESTION:

Can a cat become non-diabetic after being one. My cat is a diabetic and he gets an insulin shot, but latley he acts funny after the shot, he sometimes staggers.

ANSWER:

ABSOLUTELY! Be careful! They can become hyPOglycemic and die. You need to get a glucose reading right away. If he is staggering, rub a sugar solution on his gums, such as maple syrup. Get him to the vet right away. Do not give insulin. Try to keep him eating.

Good luck, Dr. Neely

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