Like people, cats can also get diabetes. In this article we will explain how to recognize its symptoms, what are the forms of feline diabetes and how this insidious disease can be treated.
Summary
- Diabetes mellitus
- Insipid diabetes
- What are the symptoms of diabetes in cats?
- The diagnosis
- The treatment
- The prognosis
- The prevention of feline diabetes
Diabetes is probably the most common hormonal metabolic disease in cats. The form called diabetes mellitus is observed in cats much more frequently than the so-called
diabetes insipidus. Often in its initial stages the disease manifests itself with a greater urge to urinate: male and elderly cats are particularly exposed to the disease.
To better understand this complex hormonal pathology, it is advisable to first consider the two forms of diabetes individually.
Diabetes mellitus
Insulin is a peptide hormone that forms in the so-called endocrine part of the pancreas. The beta cells responsible for insulin increase its production as the blood sugar level rises. The anabolic hormone then enters the bloodstream and leads to increased sugar absorption in the cells of different organs (eg liver, muscles, brain). In particular, the liver cells can convert sugar into starch (glycogen). The latter acts as an energy reserve and can be converted back into sugar, in the event that this is lacking.
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Causes of diabetes mellitus in cats
Diabetes mellitus is the most common form in cats. It is caused by an increase in blood sugar levels in turn due to a lack of insulin.
As soon as the blood sugar level (glycaemia) exceeds a certain threshold, the formation of sugar (gluconeogenesis) and the breakdown of starch into sugar (glycogenolysis) are inhibited.
Factors that can lead to insulin deficiency:
- Juvenile diabetes mellitus (type 1) is caused by an absolute lack of insulin. As the body uses autoimmune antibodies to fight its own pancreas, the beta cells die. This causes a decrease in insulin or even an interruption of its production, and consequently the sugar is no longer removed from the blood.
- Adult diabetes mellitus (type 2) is caused by a relative lack of insulin. This results not in a destruction of the beta cells, but in a loss of their functionality or insulin resistance. In practice, the insulin produced is sufficient in terms of quantity but its effect is no longer sufficient. It is a condition that can result from other diseases such as kidney diseases, from the administration of cortisone-based preparations or from some infectious diseases. Overweight (obesity) is also a frequently observed cause of this type of diabetes. It is the most common form of diabetes in cats.
Insipid diabetes
The antidiuretic hormone (ADH or vasopressin) is formed in a part of the diencephalon, ie the hypothalamus. The task of vasopressin is to increase the reabsorption of water in the kidney and therefore has an important function in the water balance of the cat.
If a lot of ADH is released, the hormone binds to associated receptors in the kidneys. This causes more water to be absorbed, so the cat expels a smaller volume of urine. Conversely, if less ADH binds to the receptors, less water is reabsorbed and the cat excretes more urine.
Causes of diabetes insipidus in cats
A cat with diabetes insipidus typically has an increased need to urinate. This is due to insufficient ADH production in the brain or to kidney responsiveness to ADH.
These are conditions that can be caused by congenital diseases such as malformations in the brain or kidneys, as well as by acquired diseases such as injuries or poisoning / intoxication. Depending on the cause, it is therefore customary to divide diabetes insipidus into two further sub-types:
- central diabetes insipidus = lack of ADH
- nephrogenic diabetes insipidus = reduced ability of the kidneys to respond to ADH
What are the symptoms of diabetes in cats?
The following are the symptoms most commonly associated with diabetes in cats:
- increased need to drink and urinate (polyuria and polydipsia)
- weight loss in the face of increased food intake (polyphagia)
- generic manifestations such as fatigue and poor propensity to move
- dull coat and reduced wound healing capacity
A particularly severe form of the disease is the so-called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). If diabetes in cats is recognized too late or not diagnosed at all, the result can be a severe metabolic complication that causes the pet to lack energy as a result of reduced sugar intake in the cells.
This in turn promotes the formation of ketone bodies, which are formed from fat stores. An excessive increase in these ketone bodies triggers ketosis, which in turn leads to excessive acidification of the blood (diabetic acidosis). In addition to severe weakness and vomiting, this condition induces very serious symptoms and can be life-threatening for the cat.
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The diagnosis
If your cat suddenly drinks a lot more than usual and feels the need to urinate very often, he is experiencing the main symptoms of diabetes and it would be advisable to consult a veterinarian to get the situation under control. On the basis of a series of appropriate questions addressed to the owner (anamnesis) and the general clinical examination, the doctor can eventually confirm the suspicion that it is indeed diabetes.
There are several diagnostic options available to doctors to confirm this diagnosis.
By taking a blood sample from the animal, the vet detects the level of sugar in the cat’s blood. However, since this value can vary considerably following a state of stress or recent food intake, it is also possible to analyze the so-called fructosamines.
This is a long-term parameter that can be used to estimate the blood sugar level over the past 1-3 weeks. Through the blood test it is also possible to measure various parameters relating to internal organs, so that for example the veterinarian can rule out pancreatitis.
It is possible to detect an increase in the value of sugar or the presence of a ketone body also through a urine analysis, as well as being able to determine its specific weight. In fact, in the context of diabetes, the specific weight of urine often increases.
Through the antidiuretic hormone and the ADH values, the presence of diabetes insipidus can be excluded. Once this hormone has been administered, the ADH test checks the animal’s recovery of fluids by measuring the volume of its urine. If such urinary behavior flexes, this is a sign of central diabetes insipidus.
The treatment
Diabetes mellitus
Depending on the severity of the disease, the cat needs a different amount and type of insulin (traditional insulin, intermediate or long-lasting insulin). Insulin is periodically brought back to normal by measuring blood sugar. In many cases, a daily administration is necessary, for the whole life of the animal, by skin injection.
It is also appropriate to provide for a change of diet , avoiding carbohydrates and fats of low nutritional value and preferring instead foods rich in raw fiber. To make your pet lose weight, it is also advisable to promote regular exercise as much as possible.
Insipid diabetes
The central form requires the administration of synthetic ADH while the renal form is managed by treating the underlying disease.
The prognosis
As diabetes in cats is a very complex disease and can develop differently from person to person, a general prognosis is not possible.
If the pet can be guaranteed a controlled insulin administration, cats with diabetes mellitus can enjoy a much better quality of life. Central diabetes insipidus can also usually be managed well through ADH administration. The prognosis of renal diabetes insipidus, on the other hand, is closely related to the underlying disease.
The prevention of feline diabetes
Considering that Obesity is one of the most common causes of diabetes mellitus in cats, it is important to offer the animal a balanced diet and encourage movement as much as possible. It should also not be forgotten that general good health strengthens the immune system and is able to prevent infectious diseases and other concomitant pathological conditions.