Caring for your diabetic cat - Oral treatment

What is Diabetes Mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious endocrine disorder that affects a number of cats. In a healthy cat, the pancreas produces a hormone called insulin, which helps the body's cells use sugar (glucose) for energy.

Without enough effective insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream to high levels. When the blood sugar gets too high, you may notice signs like:

• Increased urination (polyuria)
• Increased thirst (polydipsia)
• Increased appetite (polyphagia)
• Weight loss

A new approach: Oral diabetes medication

For newly diagnosed, otherwise healthy cats, an oral medication is now an option. The goal of treatment is to control blood sugar levels, resolve the clinical signs you're seeing at home, and improve your cat's overall quality of life.

How it works

This medication helps lower blood sugar by causing the kidneys to pass excess sugar out of the body through the urine.

Benefits of oral treatment

No injections: it is a once-daily liquid.

Lower risk of hypoglycaemia: there is minimal risk of your cat's blood sugar dropping to dangerously low levels (hypoglycaemia) with this type of medication.

How to give oral medication

Give the medication once a day, either directly into your cat's mouth (preferred) or with a small amount of food.

Risks and what to watch for

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) - The most serious risk

DKA is a life threatening emergency that can occur in any diabetic cat. It happens when the body, unable to use sugar for energy, starts breaking down fat instead, producing toxic byproducts called ketones.

Euglycaemic DKA (EDKA):

With SGLT2 inhibitors (which they type of medication the oral treatment for Diabetes mellitus is), a unique and serious form of DKA can occur where the blood sugar level is normal or only slightly high, but the cat is still very sick. Because the blood sugar isn't high, it can be easily missed.

Critical monitoring period:

The risk of DKA or EDKA is highest during the first two weeks of treatment.

Signs of DKA/EDKA:

You must contact a veterinarian immediately if you notice any of these signs:

• Lethargy or weakness
• Poor appetite or refusal to eat
• Vomiting

Home management and monitoring

Consistent home care is the key to safely and successfully manage your cat's diabetes.

Ketone monitoring (crucial)

Because of the risk of EDKA, monitoring for ketones is the most important task you may do at home.

Urine ketone strips: You can use the strips to check your cat's urine for ketones. Any detection of ketones is a reason to call your veterinarian immediately.

Revisits

At the beginning, to get your cat's blood glucose levels stable, the revisits will be more frequent, but once they are stable the revisits may space out to 6 monthly.

Appetite and attitude

A decrease in your cat's normal appetite or energy level is often the first sign of a problem like DKA. A happy, active cat with a consistent appetite is a great sign.

Weight monitoring

Stable weight or weight gain are excellent signs of good control.

Diet

Diet is a cornerstone of diabetes management. The ideal diet for most diabetic cats is:

High in protein and low in carbohydrates

Wet food is generally preferred over dry kibble

Portion controlled meals are preferred, but this is not essential for all cats.

Water intake

You should notice your cat's excessive drinking and urination improve within the first week or two. This is a good sign that the medication is working.

Managing a diabetic cat is a commitment, but it is very rewarding. With consistent treatment and monitoring, your cat can live a long and comfortable life.

Please don't hesitate to reach out and ask your Animates Vetcare clinic for help if you have any questions.