You may be surprised to learn that one of the symptoms of feline diabetes is weakness in your cat’s legs. If you notice your kitty walking on her “elbows” on her back legs instead of her feet, or on her “wrists” on her front legs, you may have a diabetic cat. A short walk may tire her out, which indicates weakness. She may be clumsy, too, with her legs going out from under her unexpectedly. This problem is called ” feline neuropathy .”
Why Does Diabetes In Cats Cause Weak Legs?
Many cat owners are unaware of the link between feline neuropathy and feline diabetes. This condition is a result of nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels. It’s very important that a diabetic cat receives veterinary treatment to lower blood glucose levels as soon as possible to prevent any further damage to her nerves.
Why Does Feline Diabetes Cause Nerve Damage?
Both people and pets develop diabetes when their bodies are unable to regulate their blood glucose levels. Either your kitty’s body isn’t producing enough insulin (type 1 feline diabetes), or her body isn’t able to use the insulin being produced (type 2 feline diabetes).
High blood sugar levels are especially dangerous for nerve, kidney, and eye cells. Why?Damage to these cells occurs because they absorb too much glucose from the blood, since they don’t need insulin to be able to use the glucose. This is why it’s so important to control blood sugar levels in a feline diabetic.
Can Feline Neuropathy Be Reversed?
Sometimes the nerve damage is reversed when the high blood sugar levels are brought under control, and the cat is able to walk normally again.
It’s also possible that the weakness in the cat’s legs is due to muscle wasting, which is a result of untreated feline diabetes. Once the blood sugar levels are controlled, the cat owner may wish to gently exercise the feline to rebuild the muscle.
Some owners have had some success in reversing feline neuropathy by treating their cats with methylcobalamin, also known as methyl B-12. This product is available at natural food stores.
The Best Treatment Is Prevention
The best way to avoid complications of diabetes in cats is to prevent the disease in the first place. Avoid letting your feline friend get too heavy. A fat cat is prone to many health conditions beside diabetes. Cats get fat on high-carb dry food. Instead, feed her a high-quality canned food instead.
Regular exercise is a natural way to control blood sugar levels, besides keeping your pet slim and in good condition.
Would Natural Remedies For Cats Be Useful For A Feline Diabetic?
Certain herbs, such as fenugreek, astragalus, and goat’s rue, along with chromium, a trace mineral, can help to control blood sugar levels naturally in human diabetics. Would these herbs work in cats, too? The answer is yes.
Many cat owners have been successful in using a combination of diet, exercise, and herbal remedies to regulate their pets’ blood sugar levels naturally. You can learn more about natural remedies for cats with diabetes by clicking on any link in this article.
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[...]Your Cat With Weak Legs May Have Feline Diabetes[...]…