Do you share your home with a diabetic cat? If you do, you already know that it’s necessary to pay a lot more attention to your kitty’s health. Although cats diabetes don’t cause circulatory problems or blindness like diabetes in people does, there are four dangerous complications of feline diabetes that you need to know about.
Feline Neuropathy
The owner will notice weakness in the pet’s legs. Cats that walk on their “wrists”, front legs, or “elbows” on the back legs, may have feline diabetes. The nerves are damaged by blood sugar levels that are too high. This condition is sometimes reversed when feline diabetes is treated.
Feline Ketoacidosis
This problem is often seen in an untreated feline diabetic. The kitty’s body usually breaks down glucose for energy for bodily processes. But with cats and diabetes, the body can’t break down this glucose, so the body starts breaking down fat instead. This process produces ketones, which are a waste product. The build-up of ketones causes ketoacidosis, which is a fatal condition unless the kitty receives immediate veterinary care.
Symptoms of ketoacidosis in cats include:
- Breath either smells sweet, or like nail polish remover
- Dehydration
- Either excessive thirst, or not drinking any water at all
- Not eating for more than twelve hours
- Fast breathing
- Vomiting
- Weakness and lethargy
- Frequent urination
Feline Hypoglycemia
If diabetic cats are given too much insulin, or doesn’t eat on schedule, blood sugar levels may drop to dangerously low levels. Your feline companion may be acting weird, and stagger around. Seizures may occur. A fatal coma may follow.
Treat feline hypoglycemia by rubbing a little corn syrup or honey on the cat’s gums. Because this is an emergency, don’t wait to take your kitty to the vet.
Don’t ignore an overweight cat who suddenly stops eating, this problem may result. A build-up of fat in the liver is the result when the cat’s body tries to break down fat for energy, instead of glucose. Symptoms are similar to ketoacidosis, and also include jaundice, or a yellowing of the cat’s eyes and gums. Again, get Kitty to the vet right away, as this is an emergency.
You Can Prevent Complications Of Diabetes
Well-regulated blood sugar levels will probably avoid these complications of feline diabetes. Research shows that natural remedies for cats, which include the herbs astragalus, fenugreek, and goat’s rue, along with chromium, are very effective for regulating blood sugar levels in kitties.
Don’t wait for your feline diabetic to fall victim to these complications. Click on any link above to learn more.
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