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Feline
Diabetes
Case
Study
Ozzy, now 11 years old
,
is a domestic short-haired
cat who was first diagnosed
with diabetes mellitus in
2014 after his owner noticed
that his appetite and drinking
had increased, together with
sudden weight loss.
Diabetes is common in
both dogs and cats,
and you should always
consider getting your
animal tested if there are
obvious increases to his
or her drinking, usually
together with weight loss.
It is a treatable condition
although regular testing is
required to keep diabetic
animals healthy. In both
dogs and cats special diets,
which are reduced in
carbohydrates, can greatly
improve the control of
the condition. In cats, the
condition can sometimes
resolve completely.
Although it is not fully
understood why this
occurs, low carbohydrate
diets are likely to be a
factor and it is always
worth looking at dietary
changes for diabetic pets,
which your vet can advise
you on.
Conclusion
Primary blood tests showed
high blood glucose, indicating
diabetes, and a further test
showed that his blood
glucose levels had remained
persistently high for a
prolonged period, confirming
the condition.
Ozzy’s owner was keen to do
everything for him, and started
him on Insulin injections as well
as starting a low carbohydrate
diet recommended by us. By
reducing the carbohydrate level
in the diet we can reduce the
dependence on Insulin, usually
meaning that lower doses can
be used. In addition, diabetes
is usually better controlled
because glucose levels
fluctuate less.
Over a period of weeks,
Ozzy’s insulin dose was
adjusted until his diabetes
was well controlled. In his
case he was receiving 4 units
twice daily of Insulin, a low
dose for a cat of his size
(Ozzy is a big cat!).
About 4 months later, Ozzy’s
owner noticed that he seemed
quite quiet during the
afternoon. Tests showed that
his blood glucose was now
slightly low, and over a period
of weeks his Insulin was
gradually stopped again.
Further tests over the
next year and a half
leading up to now have
confirmed that Ozzy is
no longer diabetic
.
His owner has kept him on the
low carbohydrate diet
to reduce the chance of the
condition recurring.