Diabetes mellitus in cats is caused by insulin deficiency. In a healthy body, it is sufficiently produced by the pancreas, represented by two groups of cells. One of them produces enzymes, important participants in digestion, and the other group, represented by beta cells, produces insulin. This hormone is needed to regulate the glucose level in the animal’s blood and control its delivery to the body’s tissues.
Factors predisposing to the development of diabetes in cats are as follows:
- Treatment with hormonal drugs;
- metabolic disorders;
- Overweight or obesity;
- pancreatitis;
- infectious diseases;
- genetic predisposition.
Symptoms of diabetes mellitus in cats
Symptoms of the ailment in the animal appear as it progresses. Abnormalities are expressed by an increase in blood and urine sugar levels, copious drinking and frequent urination, weakness, increased appetite against a background of weight loss.
Treatment of diabetes mellitus in cats
Treatment of the animal from diabetes mellitus begins with the elimination of all factors that provoked the development of the disease. So, if the disease was caused by taking medications, they are canceled. If the pet has a large weight, resort to its compulsory reduction. But if the causes of diabetes mellitus in a cat can not be established or the adjustment made does not give the right results, she may be prescribed insulin injections and hypoglycemic agents.
As a therapeutic diet, the animal is given ready-made protein food with low carbohydrate content.