Diabetic diet feline
Choosing a healthy cat food is tough work since cat food reviews are often subjective. Foods Low-carb, wheat gluten free varieties of Fancy Feast Treats. During digestion, the fats, carbohydrates, and proteins that are consumed in the diet are broken down into smaller components that can be utilized by cells in the body. One component is glucose, a fuel that provides the energy needed to sustain life. New food formulations have emerged, and new theories. Regardless of this variability, all diabetic cats do best with consistent medication, consistent feeding, and a stable, stress-free lifestyle. Each diabetic cat is an individual, and each responds differently to treatment. Once diabetes has been diagnosed, immediate treatment is necessary. Perform a test search of our disease database. Healthy diabetic cats can sometimes be successfully treated with glipizide, an orally administered hypoglycemic medication that lowers blood glucose. Cat owners often notice these four classical signs of diabetes mellitus: ravenous appetite, weight loss, increased urination, and increased water consumption. While diabetes mellitus can affect any cat, it most often occurs in older, obese cats. Because each is different, the proper type of insulin, dose, and frequency of administration needs to be determined by your veterinarian. Additionally, diabetes can lead to an unhealthy skin and coat, liver disease, and secondary bacterial infections. Canned Food Charts Dry Food Charts Non-U. S. Much in the area of diet and food has been changing over the. Your veterinarian will show you how to give these injections, which are not painful—in fact, most cats are unaware that the injection is being given.
Diabetes treatment is based on the severity of the disease. As a result, the cat eats more yet loses weight. The injections can be given at home, preferably at the same time each day. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas and is responsible for regulating the flow of glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body. Most diabetic cats require insulin injections administered under their skin twice daily. Different cats respond best to different types of insulin. In turn, sugar in the urine leads to excessive urination and thirst. Male cats are more commonly afflicted than females. Approximately one-half to three-quarters of diabetic cats have and thus require insulin injections as soon as the disease is diagnosed. A dangerous, sometimes fatal condition called ketoacidosis may develop, indicated by loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, dehydration, and breathing abnormalities. Diabetes mellitus is generally divided into two different types in cats: insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Some can be treated with oral medications, while others require insulin injections. Ideally, this is based on an 18- to 24-hour blood glucose profile, obtained through a veterinarian-administered insulin injection and subsequent testing of blood sugar levels at regular intervals throughout the day. A diabetes—related disorder called diabetic neuropathy may cause cats to become progressively weaker, especially in the hind legs, impairing their ability to jump and causing them to walk with their hocks touching the ground. Additionally, the cat develops high levels of sugar in the bloodstream, which is eliminated in the urine. For cats that are not severely ill, your veterinarian may recommend a treatment plan that includes insulin injections or oral medications, along with dietary changes. Cats with ketoacidosis require prompt intensive care, which usually includes fluid therapy and short-acting insulin injections. The right cat food and diet is important regulation tool when.
