Facts You Need To Know About High Blood Sugar In Cats

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Hyperglycemia or high blood sugar in cats refers to the higher-than-the-normal levels of sugar in the blood. A simple carb sugar, which circulates in the blood, sugar is a main source of energy for the body, in which the normal levels may range between 75 milligrams to 120 milligrams. Insulin is a hormone, which is released and produced by the pancreas in the bloodstream when the sugar levels rise. Actually, insulin plays an essential role in the maintenance of the levels of blood sugar within the normal limits. In case the insulin concentration is very low or there’s complete insulin deficiency, sugar levels rise abruptly, thus leading to high blood sugar. Give this article to learn more about this feline condition.

High Blood Sugar in Cats: What is this feline condition?

Hyperglycemia or high blood sugar in cats is due to the inability of the body in making its own insulin or effectively use it. In case the cat eats, it digests proteins, fats, and carbohydrates for its body to use. Glucose or sugar, is a significant substance as it provides the cat the energy it needs to live. Moreover, the body of the cat should also produce insulin, to regulate the sugar. If it is not producing any insulin, its body may use some other energy sources and its blood sugar may be high.

Keeping the cat healthy needs being in tune with its body. It’s significant to learn about its behavior, so that you’ll know if it is not at its best. While most of the cats are commonly healthy, some may develop medical conditions the same to us, humans. This includes high blood sugar or hyperglycemia. Diabetes mellitus is an illness, which occurs in the cats that is characterized by the high level of blood sugar.

Types of Cat High Blood Sugar

There are two kinds of diabetes mellitus that might happen in cats and might cause high blood sugar levels in cats –this includes the following:

Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Cats with this type of diabetes mellitus do not need any day-to-day insulin doses, to control the levels of blood sugar. It’s actually being controlled with just the diet.

Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

This kind of diabetes may need daily insulin injections, to control the changing blood sugar levels. Half of the cats identified with the high blood sugar might need insulin, to stay healthy.

Causes of Cat High Blood Sugar

While the precise cause of high blood sugar in cats is not known, there are some factors that vets think contribute to the development of it. This includes the following:

  • Steroids and some other medications
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Cushing’s disease
  • Pancreatitis
  • Being overweight
  • Advancing age

The temporary increase in the blood sugar, which aren’t associated to the condition might be due to the following;

  • Kidney disease
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Infection
  • Stress

Symptoms of Cat High Blood Sugar

The cats with high blood sugar may exhibit certain symptoms, which may let you know that something is not right. Here are some of the most common symptoms that you can see in cats with diabetes mellitus:

  • Depression
  • Vomiting
  • Weakness
  • Difference in walking
  • Weight loss
  • Reduced appetite
  • Increased urination
  • Excessive thirst

Prognosis of Cat High Blood Sugar

The vet may do a complete physical examination of the cat, in order to reach a prognosis. Primary, the vet may ask you some queries about the medical history and health of the cat. He’ll also perform a physical test and take the vital signs like weight, temperature, respiration rate and heart rate. The diagnostic exams are a perilous part of analyzing high blood sugar in cats. The vet may draw blood from the cat and may run a biochemical profile, CBC and blood sugar examination. Additionally, a urine sample may be taken to determine the sugar level in its urine as well.

Treatment for Cat High Blood Sugar

The treatment for high blood sugar in cats rest on the nature and austerity of the condition. Cats that aren’t extremely ill or in serious danger, are commonly cured with dietary changes, daily insulin injections, as well as oral medications. Dietary and lifestyle changes, together with treatment of primary conditions might be suggested. If the cat is in an instantaneous danger, it might be admitted to a hospital for some IV fluids and medications that will stabilize its blood sugar. 

It’s never idyllic to attempt in abruptly reducing the blood sugar levels, since it might lead to low blood sugar levels or hypoglycemia. In the diabetic cats, the glucose level variations are mutual and regulating the dose of insulin or some other drugs may help in resolving the problem. Furthermore, there are some instances wherein the sugar levels are high, yet don’t specify an increase in the insulin and may even get worse by the increase in insulin doses. The vet may guide you in getting to know when to adjust the insulin levels.

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