Pets Information

How Cats With Feline Diabetes Can Lead A Happy Life


"Your cat has feline diabetes." If this is your vet's message after examining your beloved friend, it will come as a shock. Yes, your cat has a serious disease. But you can treat it!

I got the message myself early 2003. My (then) 10-year-old neutered cat Duvelke had been urinating and drinking more than usual for a few weeks. First it was thought to be connected with a previous medication. But after urine and blood tests the veterinarian was certain. "Your cat has feline diabetes."

Now what is diabetes?

Blood contains sugar (glucose). The blood sugar level is controlled by the hormone insulin, which is produced by the pancreas. If this organ produces not enough insulin, we speak of diabetes.

Symptoms of feline diabetes differ. Duvelke started to pass more urine than usual, and had an increased thirst as a result of this. Other possible symptoms are weight loss, decreased appetite, lethargy and a poor coat condition.

Cats with untreated diabetes will become inactive, vomit regularly, stop urinating and fall into a coma. But if you treat feline diabetes correctly, your cat might still be able to lead a long and happy life. It does take effort and dedication, though.

Your cat will need to get food at set times, and preferably should stay indoors.

And - this is essential - you will have to give your cat insulin shots. Once a day, often two times daily. Your vet will determine the quantity and tell you how to do it. It is not scary!

But keep an eye on your friend. Your cat should have had food before getting the insulin shot! If not, a hypoglycemic shock (a 'hypo') may occur. This is also possible if your cat gets too much insulin. And this is really dangerous. If you are not there to help, your cat might die from a hypo.

Duvelke has had a few hypos since 2003. He survived. How? By putting glucose in his mouth, on the inside of his cheeks. Honey on his tongue also worked well.

Duvelke's quantity of insulin has been reduced considerably the past year. And he's doing really fine. If you didn't know about his disease, you would assume he is a perfectly healthy cat.

So, with a proper treatment, diabetic cats can still lead a happy life!

© 2004, Marc de Jong. Journalist, web site builder and cat lover Marc de Jong lives in Belgium. He is the owner and editor of http://www.cat-pregnancy-report.com on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

  


MORE RESOURCES:

CBS Local

Protect Pets As Temps Soar
CBS Local
That's why the Michigan Humane Society is urging pet owners to take precautions to protect their pets from heat-related dangers that can result in heatstroke, or worse. Rule No. 1 says that while dogs are great companions and, as we all know, ...
VIDEO: Humane Society's Pet Of The WeekPatch.com
Keep your pet safeEdmonton Sun
Humane Society launches sticker campaign to keep pets safeGlobal Edmonton
MetroNews Canada -St. Albert Gazette
all 17 news articles »


Pet Tales: Hospice may help an ailing, aging animal
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
But Ms. Spadafori is not your average pet owner. She has been writing about pet care and veterinary medicine for 30 years, and she had just written an article for www.vetstreet.com about a new and growing trend -- hospice care for animals.



Prepare for a Pet Emergency
Patch.com
We've all heard them before—horror stories about other people's pet emergencies. And yet, if you're anything like me, you probably hear these stories and still manage to find comfort in the idea that such catastrophes probably won't happen to you and ...



New Zealand Herald

Pet sitting gets boost from the web
Fall River Herald News
Instead of putting pets in kennels, Dog Vacay brings together dog lovers with casual and professional dog sitters to provide an affordable experience for pets. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) By Sue Manning The Associated Press When you travel and have to ...
Website has lodging for dogsWorcester Telegram
Doggy couch surfing? Website has lodging for dogsAtlanta Journal Constitution

all 38 news articles »


Giant to Fill Pet Prescriptions
Patch.com
Giant Food Stores have partnered with PetCareRx to fill pet medications at your local Giant pharmacy. With more than 60 percent of its grocery shoppers having at least one dog or cat in their household, Giant Food Stores announced the partnership with ...

and more »


LAist

Pets of the Week: Manny & Holly
LAist
Come check me out at the spcaLA South Bay Pet Adoption Center and see what a great girl I am. spcaLA is Los Angeles' oldest animal welfare organization. Their services include animal cruelty investigations, humane education, animal behavior & training, ...



Kansas.com

Safety tips to keep pets cool this summer
Kansas.com
By Jennifer VanderSmith Don't apply sunscreen or insect repellent not labeled specifically for use on animals to your pet. As summer approaches, consider some tips from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on how to keep your ...



Adopt this Pet: Callie is a Calico Cutie Looking for a Calm Home
Patch.com
Callie is one of the adoptable pets at the Seattle Humane Society featured this week on Bellevue Patch. Check this column soon to meet another featured adoptable pet. By Patch Staff Callie is a 4-year-old calico cutie who wants a person of her very own ...



Plan for pets
Palm Beach Daily News
The Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League or your veterinarian can provide information including action plans and seminars on preparing your pets for an emergency. The league's website also has a list of animal shelters and guidelines under its “Disaster ...



HSMO offers tips to protect pets during the high heat
KSDK
As the Humane Society of Missouri points out, it's a good time to prepare your pet for high heat. Dr. Claire Kluge shares the following tips to protect your pet: -Never leave a pet unattended in a parked car when the temperature is more than 70 degrees ...

and more »

Google News

Article List | Index | Site Map
All logos, trademarks and articles on this site are property and copyright of their respective owner(s).
The comments are property of their posters, all the rest is Copyright © 2006 CanadaSEEK.com - All Rights Reserved.