{"id":48528,"date":"2024-03-12T14:34:27","date_gmt":"2024-03-12T18:34:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spca.com\/prendre-soin-dun-chat-diabetique\/"},"modified":"2025-01-23T14:46:36","modified_gmt":"2025-01-23T19:46:36","slug":"how-to-take-care-of-a-diabetic-cat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spca.com\/en\/how-to-take-care-of-a-diabetic-cat\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Take Care of a Diabetic Cat"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Presented in collaboration with\u00a0Purina\u00ae Pro Plan\u00ae<\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Diabetes is a fairly common disease in cats, often diagnosed between the ages of 8 and 13. We regularly take in diabetic cats at the shelter and, unfortunately, this poorly understood disease is often a barrier to adoption. Yet, affected cats can have a life expectancy and quality of life comparable to those of non-diabetic cats if their condition is well managed. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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What is diabetes?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The short answer is that diabetes is a metabolic inability to regulate glycemia<\/b>, i.e. blood glucose (sugar) levels.\u00a0<\/p>

Glycemia is essentially regulated by insulin, a hormone naturally produced by the body. However, a diabetic cat doesn\u2019t produce enough insulin, or their body is unable to use it properly. The result is hyperglycemia, i.e. abnormally high blood-sugar levels. Stable glycemia is essential for the body to function properly.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Diabetes management<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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If your cat has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, your veterinarian will give you all the information you need on how to care for your cat, how to administer insulin and how to measure blood-sugar levels. Most cats need a dose of insulin every 12 hours.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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It\u2019s crucial to follow your vet\u2019s recommendations, as your cat\u2019s needs are not necessarily the same as another diabetic cat. <\/b>Initially, you may need more frequent visits to the clinic to establish the insulin dose required for your companion. Following this, visits will be needed less frequently. Eventually, your cat will simply need regular monitoring like any other companion animal, either once a year or twice a year for older cats.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Diabetic cats need a diet adapted to their condition. Your veterinarian will be able to recommend canned or dry food formulas, as well as determining with you the amount of food and frequency of meals.\u00a0<\/p>

Regular exercise<\/b> also helps manage diabetes and weight, as well as improving Kitty\u2019s psychological well-being. Encourage them to stay active every day. Playing with your cat is also a great way to strengthen your bond with them!\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Will I have to give my cat insulin injections?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Your cat will probably need insulin injections, at least at the start of treatment. Although the word injection <\/i>can be frightening, insulin administration is simpler than you might think.<\/b> Often, it\u2019s easier to inject insulin into a cat than to make them swallow a pill!<\/p>

You don\u2019t need to be an animal health professional to do it, either: the injection goes under the skin using a fine needle or an injector pen, and there\u2019s no need to search meticulously for a vein. Your veterinary team will show you how. To make things easier, we recommend that you always make this process pleasant for the cat using positive reinforcement.<\/b> Your kitty will soon get used to it!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Is it incurable?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Diabetes is incurable, but if treated early and rigorously, your cat may no longer need insulin.<\/b> This is called remission. If this is the case, however, they will need to maintain their special diet and receive appropriate medical follow-up.\u00a0<\/p>

Although there is no cure, there are treatments available to manage feline diabetes, and when it is well controlled, your cat can enjoy a fulfilling life. Remember, it is absolutely necessary to treat diabetes.<\/b> Without proper care, a diabetic cat will die.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Budget<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Of course, medical treatment comes at a cost. So it\u2019s wise to budget for your diabetic cat\u2019s care.<\/b> However, if your cat had health insurance prior to the diagnosis, the treatment will often be covered.\u00a0<\/p>

It\u2019s very difficult to estimate the costs involved in treating diabetes, as each patient has specific needs. Things to consider include:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>