As a definition feline diabetes is a disorder in cats affecting the ability of the body to process glucose (blood sugar). Food is broken down by the digestive system into smaller components, including glucose, that then enters the bloodstream. Glucose is used by the cells as an energy source. Insulin is a hormone that serves to signal the cells the allow glucose to enter into the cell. Without the affect of insulin, the glucose will not enter the cell and will instead remain in the bloodstream.
In a normal digestive process, the presence of food in the system triggers the pancreas to secrete insulin into the bloodstream in order to manage levels of glucose. The more food that is eaten, the more insulin is produced, which in turn means there is less glucose in the bloodstream. Diabetes in cats is a disruption of this process, where there is not enough insulin or the insulin cannot act properly on the cells and blood glucose levels remain too high. The cells have not absorbed the glucose and therefore are not able to produce energy from it.
Diabetes in cats is generally divided into two types: Type I and Type II. It is Type I diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes or Insulin Dependent Diabetes, occurs when the pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin. Type II diabetes, also called adult onset diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes, happens when there is a problem where the cells do not recognize the insulin hormone and will not allow glucose to be absorbed into the cells. When this happens, the glucose remains in the bloodstream and high blood sugar or hyperglycemia is the result.
There are numerous reasons why the pancreas can malfunction and not make insulin at all or not produce enough insulin. Infection or inflammation from an illness can damage the pancreas; steroid medications can affect it as well as dietary deficiencies. There can at times also be a genetic disposition to having a malfunctioning pancreas though there are no particular breeds of cats that seem more prone to this genetic factor. Much of the damage caused by feline diabetes is a result of excess glucose remaining in the blood, but some is due to the opposite problem where there is not enough glucose in the blood and the cells malfunction. The body can literally begin to die of starvation since the cells can no longer reproduce or repair themselves.
What are the Symptoms of Feline Diabetes?
Diabetes in cats is sometimes found during routine blood tests and can be treated before symptoms begin to reveal themselves. Most cases, however, are found because the owner noticed one or more of the primary symptoms of feline diabetes:
Frequent or excessive urination
Frequent or excessive thirst
Weight loss with no apparent cause
The diabetic cat is often hungrier than usual and eats more but still loses weight. Other organs attempt to resolve the problem and bring the body back into balance. The kidneys, for example, attempt to rid the body of the excess glucose and kick into high gear. Kidneys use a lot of water in this flushing process and thus the diabetic cat will feel exessively thirsty and drink a lot of water. This is also why there is more frequent and excessive urination as the body is trying to rid itself of this sugar-laden urine. It is due to this stress on the kidneys that is the reason they are often one of the first organs to show damage as a result of diabetes, though this damage is not apparent until the disease is in its advanced stages. A more common symptom of feline diabetes is to begin to see eye and nerve damage first. If there is such tissue damage upon the initial diagnosis of diabetes, the disease has been there for some time and is beginning to progress into the advanced stages.
Although cat diabetes is relatively simple at first glance, it can be extremely complex to treat. Feline diabetes is also not a heavily studied subject and there is a lack of information available to both pet owners and animal professionals alike. Fortunately, there are now many veterinarians who are specializing in treating only cats in their practices. They have developed the specilalized knowledge and experience to treat cats with diabetes, allowing your cat to live a long happy life. The primary aim of diabetes treatment is to control blood glucose levels so they stay at or near a normal range. The pancreas working in its natural state would regulate blood glucose levels by slowly releasing insulin into the system. When it is damaged or otherwise not working properly, this regulation needs to be taken over by some other means that also minimizes the stress on other organs.
Diet is perhaps the most important aspect of treatment and some cats, if they are experiencing the initial stages of diabetes, can be diet-contolled. Current research is pointing to high protein, low carbohydrate diets as being best for cats. Because cats are naturally carnivores, they don't tend to have the right balance of enzymes needed to digest a plant-based protein diet, so foods that use plant protein as the primary protein source should be avoided.
If you are unable to control your feline diabetes symptoms with diet, your cat will likely need some form of medication, either insulin or oral antihyperglycemic pills. If pills are used, it can take as long as four months before the cat will respond to them. If your cat has more severe forms of diabetes or their diabetes is causing damage to other organs, you probably don't want to wait that long for treatment to take effect.
Also, most cats don't seem to respond to these pills and injected insulin is perhaps the best treatment option. There are several types of insulins all with different characteristics that are now available. Humulin N has had a very poor history in working well in cats and should not be used. A better choice would be non-human sources of insulin such as pork or beef. These sources of insulin are much more similar in structure to a cat's own natural insulin.
If your cat has just been diagnosed with diabetes but is not yet severely ill, you can learn to perform home blood-testing using a simple glucose meter, allowing you to get your cat's diabetes under control with the assistance of your veterinarian. Veterinarians will decide on the proper insulin to use as well as the proper dosage if it is found insulin treatment is necessary. If you feel you cannot perform tests with a glucose meter, there are also ways to test your cat's urine using simple dipsticks.
Keep in mind that the symptoms of feline diabetes can be fickle. Feline diabetes can be a chronic, ongoing, permanent condition, or it can be simply a temporary situation. It can also sometimes become erratic and difficult to control after a period of stability, or even come on in intermittent episodes. There can also be a "honeymood" period when the diabetes disappears briefly, but then returns at a later time.
Some Possible Natural Treatment Options for Treating Diabetes in Cats:
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus): Bilberry has excellent antioxidant properties due to a high level of anthocyanosides. Regular use of Bilberry is said to help maintain healthy vision by enhancing the tiny blood capillaries that carry blood and oxygen to the eyes. A recent study of bilberry extract on a group of 14 people found a significant improvment in their diabetic symptoms.
Goat's Rue (Galega officinalis): Goat's Rue was used traditionally by healers in Europe to treat pancreatic issues and to encourage healthy levels of insulin. Recent studies have supported this idea and found that the herb can help the body to maintain a balanced glucose level in the bloodstream.
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum): Fenugreek has been used as a medicinal herb since ancient Egyptian times as well as in traditional Chinese medicine. Recent clinical trials conducted in India suggest that regular use of Fenugreek can help to naturally support normal blood sugar levels. It is also a useful digestive and kidney tonic, thus helping to keep the urinary tract healthy.
Astragulus (Astragulus membranaceus): Also known as Huang qi in traditional Chinese medicine. In addition to its ability to improve immune system functioning, astragulus has been shown to help in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and promote natural energy and feelings of vitality. This property helps deal with the fatigue associated with diabetes.
Chromium picolinate: Chromium picolinate is a mineral supplement that is an essential nutrient in the metabolism of fat and sugar. Most diets contain less than 60% of the recommended levels of chromium. Studies have suggested that chromium is beneficial in reducing the risk of insulin resistance and possibly Type 2 diabetes.
Disclaimer: I in no way claim to be a veterinarian, nor do I have any specific veterinary, scientific, or medical training. This information is gathered by me, a lay person, as a starting point for pet owners seeking information on the various treatments available to them, both natural and conventional. I assume no responsibility for inaccuracies. Please consult with a qualified veterinary professional to properly assess, monitor, and manage your pet's health.