How it Works

• The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals notes, "After a cat eats, her digestive system breaks food into various components, including glucose, which is carried into her cells by insulin. When a cat does not produce insulin or cannot utilize it normally, her blood sugar levels elevate." This results in a condition called hyperglycemia, which may have serious side effects, including seizures or comas.
  
  

Causes

• The exact cause of sugar diabetes is unknown; however, according to the Cornell Feline Health Center, obesity, chronic pancreatitis, hormonal diseases such as hyperthyroidism and Cushing's disease and certain medications may play a part in its development. Genetics and abnormal protein deposits in the pancreas may also be a factor.
  
  

Symptoms

• Symptoms of sugar diabetes may include an increase in appetite, urination and water consumption or weight loss. Additional symptoms may include lethargy, dehydration, a messy coat or urinary tract infections. If you notice any of these symptoms it is important to contact your veterinarian immediately.
  
  

Treatment

• Every cat living with sugar diabetes is different; therefore, treatment will depend on the individual cat and how well it responds to various treatments. Treatment options may include daily insulin injections, oral hypoglycemic medications and a change in diet. If a cat is left untreated he may develop serious health problems including kidney disease, neurological disorders or other metabolic diseases. Lack of treatment may result in a fatal outcome for some diabetic cats.
  
  

Outcome

• Unfortunately, there is no cure for sugar diabetes, although some cats may stop needing insulin later in their life. The Cornell Feline Health Center notes, "If diabetes has resulted from obesity, it is likely to improve a great deal--or even completely resolve--once the cat's weight is under control. If obesity or some other disorder is not a factor, the diabetes probably will not go away; however, it can be successfully managed." With proper treatment your cat can live a long, healthy life.