What does a blood glucose level of 175 mean in a cat?

Question

My cat recently had a health scare that required abdominal surgery to remove an obstruction. While they were diagnosing him, they found his blood glucose was 175. The vet is not too concerned. He drinks a lot, and he was on steroids for about a year and a half, but hasn't taken them for almost two years--but she says the levels are not that high to be concerned. Any input? I'd hate to think he went through all that surgery only to find out he's diabetic--and I don't really have the $$$$ to test him now.

He was on prednisone but hasn't taken it in a year and a half. . . I think if it was going to make him sick, it would have already, right? And the vet said the high glucose may have been from the stress of being sick and throwing up so much.

Answer 1

well her is a site that talks about glucose curves in cats. It says the noraml range is between 100-200.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/bg-minicurve.htm

If your vet isnt concerned then you shouldnt be either. It is a hassle sometimes to get dogs and cats regulated on insulin and it is VERY expensive sometimes. If your vet says he is fine I would believe him. good luck

the Pred shouldnt have effected him now. Elevated glucose can give false results if stressed out like you said he was, so I wouldnt worry unless he starts acting weird.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

The normal blood glucose level in cats is between 60 and 120. ..but other report up to 150 . At a level of 160, the sugar begins to spill over into the urine (diabetes) in renal tissue. This is true for a dog, cat and human. One test is not enough to confirm it but if the noticed thirst has been happening for a while and or additional tests yield those numbers or greater then yes your cat is getting diabetes. The eventual treatment is the same as in humans....an insulin shot or oral hyperglycemics like Glipizide. It is not that expensive to do. Cats with age > 10 years old get diabetes frequently and end stage renal disease from the diabetes. At the moment... your vet is correct. It is not real bad but it is enough to be spilling over into the urine causing the constant thirst.

http://www.felineinstincts.com/felinediabetesinformation.html

For your information:

The use of prednisone or methyprednisolone (steroids) also elevate blood glucose and increase thirst. If your cat is taking these at the moment, they may be the cause of raising the blood glucose and will reduce once off the steroids. Since you report in an update that the cat has not taken steroids in over 1+1/2 years then I stand by my original thought. The sterioid effect would only last as long as anyone is on the meds and clears up quickly after discontinuation.

I looked at the website listed by another responder :
http://www.felinediabetes.com/bg-minicurve.htm
The blood glucose levels reported on that page are NOT diagnostic levels they are guidlines for maintaining a DIABETIC cat with "ACCEPTABLE" blood glucose levels by insulin or oral pancreatic stimulation drugs. The upper number (200) is the goal of therapy to limit the damage. It is NOT a normal blood glucose level in a cat.Since you cannot control how much the cat will eat effectively, the upper range is widened to give a margin of safety. Not too high to cause diabetic coma not too low to cause insulin shock. Because the cat cannot tell you how he feels, it is a safe range to give the cat some help but not kill it by the cure. The same thing for humans... we try for 80 -110 blood glucose but it is acceptable up to 160-200 but they are still diabetic. At the elevated number damage is still being done internally but it is a compromise of care versus reality of control and lifestyle.

One additional piece of information. I checked with the vet across the street from my pharmacy and he confirmed a human glucometer will work on detecting blood glucose in a cat. Most companies sell the strips and give you the testing machine for free. The strips for the machine can be pruchased for as little as $35 so testing your cat does not have to be expensive. This way you can chart what the sugars are running over a period of time and confirm it is diabetes or just a temporary stress inducement. The strips and machine are available without prescription.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

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Answer 7

Listen to your vet. It's like going to your doctor, and not trusting him/her.