Wendy&Tiggy(GA)
Member Since 2011
You just got your diagnosis from your trusted vet and you are worried and scared. You don’t know what your next step should be. First, take a deep breath, then a second one. This is a manageable disease and can be treated at home.
Second, verify the correct tests were done to arrive at this diagnosis. You want to make sure your cat does not get insulin unless they really are diabetic and need it. Recently there have been a few of cases on the FDMB where the cat was pronounced diabetic before all the correct tests were done. So let’s double check the symptoms, tests and results.
1. What were the symptoms?
A diabetic cat will typically eat a lot more than normal; drink a lot more than normal, pee huge puddles; and lose weight. They may have dandruff or look greasy. They may have weakness in the back legs or walk on their hocks. However, thyroid issues also have the same symptoms. So you need to take your cat to see your vet for some tests.
2. How was this diagnosed?
Some vets will test the blood at their surgeries/clinic using an on-the-spot method and regular blood meter. This test only shows how the cats blood is at that moment in time. However it is inconclusive for diagnosis alone since most cats experience stress either at the vet or on the ride there. A urine dipstick can be used to check for glucose in the urine. Again this test is not conclusive but does provide another clue.
Most importantly, your vet should draw blood for a fructosamine test. They will likely send this to the lab. This test shows the blood glucose levels averaged over the last 2-3 weeks. A test result over 350mL in conjunction with the symptoms and other tests will allow your vet the confidence that yor cat truly does have diabetes.
3. What was the cause?
Many cats that become diabetic were obese and/or fed on a high carbohydrate, dry food, free-fed diet. However, steroid shots or infections can also cause a cat to become diabetic. Also, underlying issues like pancreatitis, cancer and more are suspected to have a role in a cat becoming diabetic. Ask your vet if he checked for infections like UTI, teeth and ear.
4. You can confirm the diagnosis at home
In this more relaxed and familiar home setting, your cat's blood glucose levels will be more accurate. Purchase or borrow a human blood glucose meter kit, and/or urine glucose & ketone urine test strips. Normal cats blood is 40-130 on a blood glucose meter. Normal urine should not show any sugar. Plus, if your cat is diabetic, you have started to acquire the items needed to treat this disease, putting you one step ahead.
Having confirmed the diagnosis as diabetes, you are ready to get started with diet changes, testing and insulin. We are here to help!
Wendy&Tiggy + Deb and Wink
Second, verify the correct tests were done to arrive at this diagnosis. You want to make sure your cat does not get insulin unless they really are diabetic and need it. Recently there have been a few of cases on the FDMB where the cat was pronounced diabetic before all the correct tests were done. So let’s double check the symptoms, tests and results.
1. What were the symptoms?
A diabetic cat will typically eat a lot more than normal; drink a lot more than normal, pee huge puddles; and lose weight. They may have dandruff or look greasy. They may have weakness in the back legs or walk on their hocks. However, thyroid issues also have the same symptoms. So you need to take your cat to see your vet for some tests.
2. How was this diagnosed?
Some vets will test the blood at their surgeries/clinic using an on-the-spot method and regular blood meter. This test only shows how the cats blood is at that moment in time. However it is inconclusive for diagnosis alone since most cats experience stress either at the vet or on the ride there. A urine dipstick can be used to check for glucose in the urine. Again this test is not conclusive but does provide another clue.
Most importantly, your vet should draw blood for a fructosamine test. They will likely send this to the lab. This test shows the blood glucose levels averaged over the last 2-3 weeks. A test result over 350mL in conjunction with the symptoms and other tests will allow your vet the confidence that yor cat truly does have diabetes.
3. What was the cause?
Many cats that become diabetic were obese and/or fed on a high carbohydrate, dry food, free-fed diet. However, steroid shots or infections can also cause a cat to become diabetic. Also, underlying issues like pancreatitis, cancer and more are suspected to have a role in a cat becoming diabetic. Ask your vet if he checked for infections like UTI, teeth and ear.
4. You can confirm the diagnosis at home
In this more relaxed and familiar home setting, your cat's blood glucose levels will be more accurate. Purchase or borrow a human blood glucose meter kit, and/or urine glucose & ketone urine test strips. Normal cats blood is 40-130 on a blood glucose meter. Normal urine should not show any sugar. Plus, if your cat is diabetic, you have started to acquire the items needed to treat this disease, putting you one step ahead.
Having confirmed the diagnosis as diabetes, you are ready to get started with diet changes, testing and insulin. We are here to help!
Wendy&Tiggy + Deb and Wink
