Anyone here have a cat that is diabetic?

Question

what tests were done to show that he was diebetic?

what treatments does your cat receive?

Answer 1

Yes. I had a cat that was diabetic. They find out through a blood test. They do what is called a curve, drawing blood several times during the day and determining the sevarity of the diabities. From that, the determine how much insulin is needed and how often. One of the biggest signs of diabeties is excessive drinking of water. My cat just layed with his head in or near the water bowl and drank constantly. There are special diets the cats should be on too, and there are certian foods they should not be fed. If you suspect your cat is diabetic then get it into the vet for testing. The shots are easy to give. The cats don't even seem to feel them.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

One of ours had been peeing in the litter box excessively and hanging over the water bowl so I took him in for a checkup and they tested his urine and also did a glucosamine test.

He was put onto glipizide for a few months, but that didn't get his numbers down. We tried controlling it with foods, keeping to a high protein and low carb diet, which helped but he was so borderline that he'd go up and down just a tad too much. When he got the pancreatitis earlier this year we had to put him in insulin.

He gets 2 units of Lantus twice a day, and he's been feeling a whole lot better since we did that. He does have some cateracts in his eyes but other than that he's back to his normal self again.

The vet checks the blood to see where the sugar levels are, it's a standard test. One kind of test looks at the overall average for the previous two weeks, and another test done eveyr few hours looks at the actual sugar levels in the blood as the cat goes through his high and low cycle. That tells them how high and how low he gets.

The urine test is to see how much is shed in the urine.

There are two very good diabetic cat groups on yahoogroups.com if you want to join. And there's also a lot of good information online on vet sites.

Answer 5

i work in a vet clinic and we see diabetic cats often. usually what we do is run blood work that shows us how they're internal organs are functioning and it shows us their glucose levels. usually if a cat is diabetic their levels are low. so then we do a glucose curve which is basically we start out with a low dose of insulin and test her glucose again and again until we get it at a controlled level. usually their organs need to be checked every so often to make sure we are controlling it the right way and it is staying level and at a normal number. and usually the only treatments they receieve is an insulin injection daily-the amount just depends on the glucose curve. Just do me a favor and dont NOT treat you cat for diabetes because it is extremely painful and basically a long death suffering death for the cat. There is a couple at my work that has a diabetic cat and they aren't treating it and they basically bring it in once a week to have an enema because it cant have a normal bowel movement on its own. If you dont treat the diabetes then the pet will eventually develop other diseases and problems. and basically the cat just suffers to death. and normally the cat needs to be put on some sor t of diabetic food which is expensive but healthy and great for a diabetic cat

Answer 6

I've cared for several diabetic cats. The blood glucose level is checked, as well as a urine sample to check for sugar and ketones. Insulin is usually required once or twice a day. Some cats can be controlled with diet (though not often). Frequent check ups and blood tests will be needed the rest of his life.

Answer 7

Hi
That is kind of my expertise. The best test to confirm that is a fructosimine. If you suspect diabetes, you can get some ketodiastic reagent strips from the pharmacist to check and see if sugar is spilling in the urine.
If your cat has diabetes or if youi want to tell me what symptoms your cat has, email me.
Look at my profile and also look at the questions I have asked

Answer 8

http://www.felinediabetes.com/
http://s186.photobucket.com/albums/x173/sherrimca/?action=view¤t=MVI_0107.flv
Stash gets a shot and never knows it. lol

Great testing pictures:
http://www.sugarcats.net/sites/harry/earprick.html#anchor144779

testing video
http://s138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/Kittys14/Videos/?action=view¤t=100_0241.flv

You tube cat testing BG video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zE12-4fVn8

HYPOGLYCEMIA
http://www.gorbzilla.com/treating_hypoglycemia_by_melissa.htm

FEEDING THE DIABETIC CAT
http://www.felinediabetes.com/diet.htm

DOCTOR LISA'S PAGE
http://catinfo.org/

TRANSITIONING YOUR CAT TO WET FOOD
http://www.catinfo.org/#Transitioning_Dry_Food_Addicts_to_Canned_Food_

HOME TESTING
http://www.felinediabetes.com/bg-home-test.htm

TESTING FOR KETONES
http://www.felinediabetes.com/ketones.htm

Some supplies here are cheaper than Walmart so I have been told
http://www.americandiabeteswholesale.com/

PZI FIRST VIAL FREE

http://www.bcpvetpharm.com/products_bovine.htm

Hello! Ken is great and do take him up on help. My cat is diabetic but with the help of the feline diabetes site she is now diet controlled. I have you the site link and the links I give people who come to the site for help. Please consider joining the group. There are over 4000 members nation wide and some Vet Techs and people who have had diabetic cats for over 10 years. The experience and advice has saved many cats.
I included several blood testing links.
To give your cat a shot without testing the blood glucose is like driving a car with a paper bag over your head.
You would never give yourself or a child insulin without checking the Blood Glucose first. On the board we teach you how to do it. If someone lives near you they will come and help you in person.
I will be looking for you. Remember diabetes is not a death sentence. One cat I know of lived for 14 years with diabetes.
My cat is actually healthier than ever in her life. I am Cessan's Mom on the board. Hugs, take a deep breath and once you learn the ropes you will wonder how you ever were scared. Bonnie

Answer 9

my sister's cat was diabetic. they did blood work to confirm it. he had to get insulin shots a couple times a day and they had to watch his diet. sadly he passed due to his ill health and age.