Feline diabetes can have many complications. Skin problems, liver and kidney damage, weakness in your kitty's legs, and an increased risk of infections are possible. It's important to monitor your furry friend's blood sugar levels carefully every day to prevent these problems.
Your kitty develops this disease when his pancreas either doesn't produce enough insulin, or when his body doesn't use insulin efficiently. The lack of insulin causes his body to start breaking down his own fat and protein for energy, instead of the starches and carbohydrates in his food. This causes him to lose weight, even though he's eating more. His body tries to flush out the extra sugar in his blood by making him drink more, and this leads to increased urination.
Feline diabetes, if not treated, will certainly shorten your friend's lifespan. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially fatal condition that's caused when your kitty's body uses his fat for energy. The result is that acids called ketones are produced. When they circulate in the blood, ketones cause loss of appetite, nausea, and lethargy.
DKA is often a result of undiagnosed diabetes. This is an emergency, and your furry friend needs immediate veterinary care with IV fluids to stabilize him. Diabetic neuropathy in cats may be an early sign of this disease in your kitty. It can also show up in later stages. Weakness in his back legs is a result of nerve damage caused by high blood glucose levels. Your kitty will walk or stand with his hocks (the "elbows" of his back legs) touching the ground.
If your buddy had this disease for a long time before it was controlled, he may lose some function in his back legs, due to the nerve damage. But sometimes the weakness in his legs is called by muscle wasting from disuse. In this case, exercise is helpful, and it can reduce his dependence on insulin.
Hepatic lipidosis is a liver disease that is a serious complication. Overweight kitties seem to develop this problem more often. When your buddy stops eating for whatever reason, his body starts using his fat for energy. If too much fat is broken down, it builds up in his liver, causing it to swell. Symptoms of hepatic lipidosis include refusing to eat, vomiting, weight loss, lethargy, and jaundice. Your kitty may have a yellowish look to the whites of his eyes, his gums, and the insides of his ears.
Trying to get him to eat is essential. Your vet may have to put in a feeding tube if he won't eat anything. While this condition is usually fatal if it's not treated, most kitties do recover after tube feeding.
Vomiting and diarrhea and other stomach upsets are common with diabetic kitties. Pancreatitis, which is a painful inflammation of the pancreas, can lead to maldigestion syndrome. In this condition, the pancreas doesn't produce enough digestive enzymes. Your kitty can't digest the food he eats, and he can starve, even though he's eating.
Your buddy is more prone to infections, too. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, and UTIs that keep coming back can be a sign that your buddy's blood sugar levels are too high.
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can be very dangerous. It's usually caused by an overdose of insulin. This can happen if he's skipped a meal or threw up after you gave him insulin. Hypoglycemia can also be caused by extra exercise, too.
Low blood sugar may cause your furball to become weak and listless, start drooling, and lose his coordination. He may have convulsions or go into a coma, which can be fatal. Feed him right away, and if he can't swallow, rub some corn syrup on his gums. Don't put your fingers in his mouth if he's having seizures!
To avoid complications, it's important to establish a routine with your furry friend. He needs to eat the same amount of food every day at the same time. Try to avoid making big changes in the amount of exercise he gets. Be sure he get the same dose of insulin at the same time each day too.
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