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Diabetes
Meeting: February 23, 2003
Questions and answers
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Why is my cat a
diabetic?
There are several factors involved in the development of diabetes
mellitus in cats. Heredity certainly plays some role, but with the
large increase (1 out of 200 cats) seen recently, we cannot blame
heredity alone.
Husbandry, or how we care for our feline friends, may be the major
culprit. In a recent study 30-40% of our indoor feline companions were
found to be obese. These cats are 4 x more likely to become diabetic.
This is related both to a decrease in the amount of exercise they get
and to our tendency to feed free-choice, high carbohydrate diets. |
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How can I reduce
his dependence on insulin?
Decrease the amount of food, feed an appropriate diet and increase his
exercise. |
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My cat drives me
crazy if his bowl is empty. How can I reduce the amount he eats
without him feeling hungry?
A cat’s natural diet (mice) is high protein and low carbohydrate.
Their metabolism is adjusted to this type of diet and they feel less
hungry when their metabolic needs are met. Multiple small (mouse-sized
meals) of high protein food will allow you to reduce the calories you
are feeding your cat without excessive discomfort. |
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What type of
food should I feed my diabetic cat?
Canned diets are generally higher is protein and fat than most dry cat
foods and have a much higher moisture content. For these reasons they
are more like the natural diet of a cat and will improve glycemic
control without excessive hunger. In cats without kidney disease,
foods developed for kittens and for diabetic management are the foods
of choice. If your cat will only eat dry food and does not have kidney
disease you may wish to try Purina DM diet.
Cats can be very resistant to change and some will actually become ill
if they refuse to eat for a long period of time. Try adding tuna juice
or other appetizers to the food for a while. If your cat ultimately
refuses the new diet, give him what he likes to eat. Do not make any
major changes in the diet of a cat taking insulin without monitoring
his glucose level. |
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How do I change
my cat’s diet to the new food?
Gradually decrease the amount of dry food being fed, while increasing
the amount of canned food. To prevent hypoglycemia monitor the blood
or urine for glucose when you make major diets changes. |
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How do I check
for glucose in the urine?
Glucotest is a newly developed material that can be added to cat
litter to test for glucose levels in the urine.
The material will change colors when exposed to urine containing
glucose. You should review the directions carefully before use. This
material is not to be used to diagnose diabetes and is not used to
increase the amount of insulin your cat receives. |
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I use a
glucometer to check my cat’s blood glucose. Do I need to check his
urine glucose level as well?
No. When available, a blood glucose level is the best way to evaluate
the cat. |
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How long after
changing to the new Purina DM diet do I need to use the Glucotest
strips to monitor my insulin dependent cat’s urine glucose?
Glucotest strips should be used in your cat’s litter for at least the
first week after starting the new diet. You should then periodically
check the urine for glucose before giving insulin, especially if your
cat is not eating. |
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How do I know if
he needs insulin?
By observing clinical signs and monitoring glucose levels. When your
cat is drinking and urinating more than normal, then his blood sugar is
usually high. When he is not eating well and seems to be tired, it is
usually low.
Any time you suspect it might be low, do
not give insulin.
If testing urine for glucose, do not give insulin if the test strips
do not change color when exposed to urine. Diabetics should have a
mild glucosuria. Do not increase insulin based on urine test. If the
test consistently shows a glucose level greater than 600mg/dl call the
clinic. If testing blood glucose, do not give insulin if the blood
glucose is less than 200mg/dl. The goal of therapy is to maintain
blood glucose levels between 150mg/dl and 350 mg/dl. |
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What are the
goals of diet and insulin therapy?
The goal is for your cat to eat, drink, and maintain a normal body
weight. The cat should have a healthy hair coat and be bright and
alert. You will notice that he no longer drinks an excessive amount of
water or fills the litter box with urine. |
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Can my
non-diabetic cats safely eat a canned high protein diet?
Yes. As long as they are healthy cats they can safely eat the new
higher protein diet. This may even help prevent them from developing
diabetes later in life. The diet may not be appropriate for senior
pets or those who have been diagnosed with kidney disease. You should
consult a veterinarian before feeding any cat a prescription diet. |
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My diabetic cat
has kidney disease and heart disease. What type of diet should I feed?
You should feed the canned diet that best meets his or her needs. |
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Isn’t an all
canned diet bad for my cat’s teeth?
The only way that dry food would help a cat’s teeth is if the cat
actually chewed the food, which cats rarely do. Cats have teeth that
are made for tearing off pieces of meat, not for chewing. Some tartar
diets, with large kibbles, do cut down on tartar build-up. Just like
us, cats require dental care regardless of the food they eat. |
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Can I still give
my cat treats?
Yes, but limit the number to amount to less that 10 % of their diet
and use treats with adequate protein and fat that are more likely to
satisfy their hunger.
Cornell Feline Health Video - Caring for Your Diabetic Cat
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