Introduction
Diabetes in cats is not a condition that be cured, but it can be controlled through dietary changes and insulin treatments. Regular blood and urinalysis tests are also needed to ensure that the disease is being controlled properly.
Treating Diabetes in Cats
Insulin
Diabetes treatment in cats begins with finding the right type of insulin, and insulin amounts, that are needed to control the blood glucose levels. Veterinarians usually begin insulin treatments using PZI insulin. Most cats with diabetes respond well to this type of insulin, however some cats can be resistant to PZI.
Finding the right type of insulin, and insulin amounts, can take several days and even a few weeks. Cats are normally kept in hospital during this time so that their condition and blood glucose levels can be continually monitored. When the cat’s blood glucose levels have stabilized with the right type of insulin therapy, the cat is released from the hospital and the cat’s owner must continue the insulin therapies at home.
Dietary Changes
Dietary changes are also used to treat diabetes in cats. Specific prescription diets have been created for cats with diabetes, and these diets help to control fluctuating blood glucose levels. Cats that overweight are also placed on weight loss programs.
In most cases, a combination of diet changes and insulin therapies are needed to control diabetes in cats. In very rare cases, the disease can be treated using diet and weight loss programs alone. In these rare cases, insulin therapies are still needed at first to bring the cat’s blood glucose levels under control until the change in diet, and weight loss, have an effect.
Antibiotic Therapies
Many cats that are diagnosed with diabetes also have urinary tract infections due to the high amount of sugar in the bladder. These sugars create an environment that bacteria thrive in, and as a result a urinary tract infection develops. Anti-biotic therapies will treat any existing UTIs, and controlling blood glucose levels will help to prevent future urinary tract infections.