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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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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Diabetic Cat

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Diabetic Cat