Feline Diabetes Involves The Improper Regulation Of Blood Sugar Levels.

Feline diabetes can often have a number of complications. Skin disorders, liver and kidney damage, weakness in the kitty's legs, and an increased risk of infections are possible. It is important to monitor the furry friend's blood sugar levels carefully every day to prevent these types of problems. The kitty develops Feline disease when his pancreas either does not produce enough insulin, or when his body doesn't use insulin efficiently. The lack of insulin hormone causes his body to start breaking down his own fat and protein for energy, instead of the starches and carbohydrates in his food. This condition causes him to lose weight, even though he's eating more. His body then commonly tries to flush out the extra sugar in his blood by making him drink more, and this leads to increased urination.

Feline diabetes disease if not treated in time, will certainly shorten the pet's lifespan. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially a fatal condition which is caused when the kitty's body uses his fat for energy. The result is that acids of the system called ketones are produced. When these components circulate in the blood, ketones cause loss of appetite, nausea, and lethargy. Diabetic ketoacidosis is often a result of undiagnosed case of diabetes. This is a case of emergency, and the furry friend needs immediate veterinary care with IV fluids to stabilize him. Diabetic neuropathy in the pets may be an early sign of this disease in the kitty. It can also come up in later stages. Weakness in the back legs is a result of nerve damage caused by high blood glucose levels. The kitty can walk or stand with his hocks which are the "elbows" of his back legs touching the ground.

If some had this disease for a long time before it was controlled, that kitty may lose some function in his back legs, due to the nerve damage. But sometimes the weakness in the legs is called by muscle wasting from disuse. In this condition, exercise is helpful, and it can reduce his dependence on insulin. Hepatic lipidosis is a liver disease that is a serious complication. Overweight kitties often seem to develop this type of problem more often. When the kitty stops eating for whatever reason, his body starts using his fat for energy. If too much amount of fat is broken down, it builds up in his liver, causing it to swell. Symptoms of the disease hepatic lipidosis include refusing to eat, vomiting, weight loss, lethargy, and jaundice. The kitty may have a little yellowish look to the whites of his eyes, his gums, and the insides of his ears. Trying to get the pet to eat is essential. The vet may have to put in a feeding tube if the kitty will not eat anything. While this diseased condition is usually fatal if it's not treated, most kitties do recover after tube feeding.

Vomiting and diarrhea and other stomach problems are common with diabetic kitties. Pancreatitis is a painful inflammation of the pancreas which can lead to maldigestion syndrome. In this type of condition, the pancreas does not produce enough digestive enzymes. The kitty can not digest the food he normally eats, and he can starve, even though he is eating. The kitty is more prone to severe infections, too. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common sysmptom, and UTIs that keep coming back can be a sign that the kitty's blood sugar levels are too high.

• Matt Thompson
• 17/03/2009, 8:59 PM
• 0 Comments