Know These Four Dangerous Complications of Feline Diabetes
Does your life include 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.Â
Feline Neuropathy
The cat owner will notice weakness in the pet’s legs. A cat who walks on her “wrists” on her front legs, or on her “elbows” on the back legs, may have feline diabetes. This is a result of nerve damage from high blood sugar levels. This condition is sometimes reversed when cat diabetes is treated.
Feline Ketoacidosis
This problem is often seen in an untreated feline diabetic. Normally a cat’s body breaks down glucose 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. Ketoacidosis results from the build-up of ketones; this is a fatal condition unless the kitty is taken to the vet right away.
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. Kitty may stagger around and be uncoordinated, and seizures may follow. A fatal coma may follow.Â
Treat feline hypoglycemia by rubbing a little corn syrup or honey on the cat’s gums. She needs to see the vet as soon as possible, because this is an emergency.
Hepatic Lipidosis
An overweight cat who suddenly stops eating is at risk for this condition.Fat builds up in the cat’s liver when her body attempts to break down fat for energy, in place of glucose. 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.
The Best Way to Prevent These Four Complications of Diabetes in Cats
These complications of feline diabetes can often be avoided by keeping the cat’s blood sugar at normal levels. 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.
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