Four Dangerous Complications Of Feline Diabetes

Do you live with a diabetic cat?  If you do, you already know that it’s necessary to pay a lot more attention to your kitty’s health.  Although cat diabetes doesn’t cause circulatory problems or blindness like diabetes in people does, there are four dangerous complications of feline diabetes that you need to know about. 

Feline Neuropathy

The cat owner will notice weakness in the pet’s legs.  A symptom of feline diabetes is a cat who walks on her “wrists” on her front legs, or on her “elbows” on her back legs.  When blood sugar levels are too high over a period of time, this can damage the nerves.  When cat diabetes is treated, sometimes this problem goes away.

Feline Ketoacidosis

This problem is often seen in an untreated feline diabetic.  Glucose is normally broken down by the kitty’s body for energy.  But in cat diabetes, the body can’t break down this glucose, so the body starts breaking down fat instead.  This process produces ketones, which are a waste product.  The accumulated ketones lead to ketoacidosis, which is fatal without immediate veterinary treatment.

Symptoms of ketoacidosis in cats include:

• Breath either smells sweet, or like nail polish remover
• Dehydration
• Either excessive thirst, or not drinking any water at all
• Not eating for more than twelve hours
• Fast breathing
• Vomiting
• Weakness and lethargy
• Frequent urination

Feline Hypoglycemia

If a diabetic cat is given too much insulin, or doesn’t eat on schedule, her blood sugar levels may drop to dangerously low levels.  The pet may be dizzy and uncoordinated, or have seizures.  A fatal coma may follow. 

Treat feline hypoglycemia by rubbing a little corn syrup or honey on the cat’s gums.  Don’t wait to take the cat to the vet, as this is an emergency.

Hepatic Lipidosis

If your kitty is overweight, and she suddenly stops eating, she may be at risk for this condition.Instead of using glucose for energy, the kitty’s body breaks down fat instead, which causes a build-up of fat in the liver.  Symptoms are similar to ketoacidosis, and also include jaundice, or a yellowing of the cat’s eyes and gums.  Again, get Kitty to the vet right away, as this is an emergency.

Avoid These Four Complications of Diabetes in Cats

A cat with well-regulated blood sugar levels will probably avoid these complications of feline diabetes.  Research shows that natural remedies for cats, which include the herbs astragalus, fenugreek, and goat’s rue, along with chromium, are very effective for regulating blood sugar levels in kitties.

Don’t wait for your feline diabetic to fall victim to these complications.  Click on any link above to learn more.