Glucose and Cats

• In healthy cats, the body isolates glucose from ingested food and breaks it down into compounds that can be used to give energy to cells. Cells require this energy in order to perform vital functions such as respiration, powering vital organs such as the heart and moving muscles. In diabetic cats, however, the body does not break glucose down appropriately and too much glucose remains in the bloodstream instead of being broken down.
  
  

Types of Diabetes

• Cats may suffer from either Type I or Type II diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, is a condition in which the cat's body does not produce enough insulin. Insulin regulates the amount of glucose in the bloodstream, according to felinediabetes.com. Type II diabetes occurs due to a problem with the enzymes that process insulin, so that the insulin does not react properly to glucose.
  
  

Symptoms of Diabetes

• Diabetes causes blood glucose levels to remain high. As a result, the cat begins to starve despite eating enough, as cells die and cannot be replaced without energy harvested from glucose. Excessive urination and thirst, excessive hunger and losing weight while eating more are symptoms of diabetes. Untreated diabetes can lead to eye damage and damage to vital organs such as kidneys.
  
  

Diagnosis of Diabetes

• A veterinarian can diagnose diabetes. The veterinarian will test the cat's blood or urine in order to see if glucose levels are abnormally high. If a cat has diabetic symptoms, it is important to take it to a veterinarian immediately so it can get treatment before the disease progresses.
  
  

Treatment Options

• Many veterinarians treat diabetes via a modified diet. Felinediabetes.com says that a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet helps lower blood glucose levels in cats. It is important to avoid plant-based proteins, as cats cannot easily digest plants. If diet alone does not control a cat's blood glucose levels, a veterinarian may prescribe oral pills or insulin injections. Pills can take up to four months to begin working. Daily injections work much more quickly. Some severely ill cats may have to stay at the veterinarian's office or in an animal hospital until blood glucose levels can be brought under control.