Diabetes Mellitus is a medical condition where there is an excessive amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. This is caused by a deficiency of the hormone insulin, which is secreted by the pancreas. Insulin helps the body to use glucose as an energy source. Diabetes Mellitus is an uncommon disease in cats. When it is seen, it is seen more frequently in overweight, middle aged to older cats, and more commonly in males than females. Brown Burmese cats are more commonly affected than any other breeds.

Clinical Signs

Increased drinking.

Increased urination volume.

Increased appetite.

Weight loss.

Clinical signs start to show as a result of high concentrations of glucose in the blood, and the inability of the body to use glucose as an energy source.

A diagnosis of diabetes cannot be made on a single blood and urine sample as other conditions, such as stress, can cause a rise in glucose levels. Another blood test called a fructosamine test, can be performed which measures the average of blood glucose levels.

A healthy cat will have a range between 221 and 341

A stressed cat will have a range between 204 and 350

A diabetic cat will have a range between 226 and 835

Treatment

Diabetes Mellitus is a long term treatable condition usually managed with giving insulin injections twice a day. Regular vet check ups to test blood glucose levels are then required to make sure the insulin dose is effective.

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