Heat affect?

[Laura13]

Just wondering, can hot weather affect glucose levels? We had a stinking hot day here today and Rupert's levels have gone up to 26.1

He hasn't been eating anything he shouldn't be so I can't think why else they could be so high.

Also, can they have milk? He's always trying to drink my milk in the mornings so I was wondering if I could get him some cat/kitten milk.

 

[BJM]

Milk contains lactose, a type of sugar. Many cats lack the enzymes to break it down as adults. 'Cat Sip' formulated for cats, has this digested into another type of carb that is more digestible, but is still a carb. (Lactaid milk is similar concept.)
That said, a tiny amount may be OK. You just need to monitor to see how it affects him.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Hi Laura,

I just did a quick search online and apparently hot weather is known to be able to cause fluctuating blood glucose levels (in humans). It can cause the blood glucose to either rise or drop. (Incidentally, my Bertie's blood glucose is always lower in hot weather.)

Apparently dehydration is a common cause of raised blood glucose. The following quote is from the third article that I've listed at the end of my post:
“The problem is that in the heat, people tend to get dehydrated easily. When you’re dehydrated, you have higher concentrations of blood sugar because less blood flows through your kidneys. With less blood, your kidneys don’t work as efficiently to clear out any excess glucose (blood sugar) from your urine.”

Here are links to 3 short articles that I found that may be of interest to you.
http://www.joslin.org/info/Diabetes_Friendly_Tips_for_Handling_the_Summer_Heat.html
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-and-hot-weather.html
http://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetes/how-weather-affects-your-blood-sugar.aspx

I do hope you are OK in the heat, Laura...? (If not, maybe I could send you some of our English rain!)

Regarding milk, I've occasionally given some to Bertie and in his case it hasn't adversely affected his blood glucose. I've given him goat's milk (easier for cats to digest, I think), and have even started to get a taste for the stuff myself!

Eliz

 

[monty_dweezil (GA)]

It is BOILING here right now and has been pretty much for the last month. We have another two months of it before it eases off I'd say.

Milk...no way. I found right before Dweezil's diagnosis, whenever I'd be preparing my cereal, Dweezil would be RIGHT THERE wanting to lick the milk from the bowl. He was so naughty and insistent, heheh. I knew he was craving sugar and was sure it was the Diabetes even though I obviously couldn't be 100% certain.

 

[jane and stewey]

Being overheated will cause blood sugars to rise. My cat Stewey is significantly affected by being overheated. The area in which we live is very hot during the summer months. I don't like to use the air-conditioning much. She was newly diagnosed in the spring of last years. Her sugar levels soared into the 400 range. Once I cooled the old homestead down, her sugar levels did the same. I keep the house cool even though it is the winter. Good luck from Jane and Stewey

 

[KPassa]

Also, can they have milk? He's always trying to drink my milk in the mornings so I was wondering if I could get him some cat/kitten milk.

One thing that might be a good compromise is cheese instead (no lactose). Henry (my non-dabetic) gets all up in my face whenever I have milk around (usually for coffee). I sprinkle a little parmesan cheese on their food and he leaves me alone, thinking he got a treat.

 

[BJM]

CatSip has the lactose removed.
Lactaid milk has much of the lactose removed.
Note that this doesn't make them carbohydrate free, so it is a treat, not a main part of the diet.