Feline diabetes is caused by a decreased response to the insulin that is being produced by the pancreas. Older, less active, and overweight cats are predisposed.

Symptoms:

• Increased drinking
• Increased urination
• Increased appetite
• Weight loss
• Vomiting
• Lethargy

Diagnostics:

As the symptoms of diabetes are very similar to other disease processes, such as Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, kidney in addition to a thorough history and physical examination, your veterinarian will likely recommend:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Blood chemistry
• Thyroid hormone level
• Urinalysis
• Urine culture
• Blood pressure
• Pancreatic lipase testing (to rule out underlying pancreatitis)
• Abdominal ultrasound

Treatment:

While diabetic cats can produce insulin, they still benefit from insulin therapy to improve the body’s response to circulating insulin. Cats generally respond best to long-acting insulins, such as Lantus (glargine) and Levemir (detemir).

Cats also require dietary management, which generally consists of high protein/low carbohydrate diets. Studies have shown that over 60% of diabetic cats fed a high protein diet will have a decrease in their insulin requirements, some even going into insulin-dependent remission. Canned food tends to be preferred over dry as most high protein dry foods are very calorically dense and will most likely lead to increased weight gain.