Diabetes mellitus or “sugar diabetes” is a common disorder in cats that affects the endocrine. This condition affects all cat breeds of all ages or sex. However, it is more common in older and obese cats, usually affecting more males than females.

Diagnosis is made through physical examination, clinical signs, laboratory test results and persistent high sugar levels in the blood and urine.

Each affected cat respond to treatments differently. Oral hypoglycemic medications and insulin injections are used to lower blood sugar levels. Changes to the cat’s diet plans and routine are usually combined with medications.

Since cats with diabetes cannot utilize glucose properly, they could develop hyperglycemia (high sugar levels) and lead to glucosuria (sugar in urine), which ultimately result to excessive urination (polyuria) and excessive thirst (polydipsia). Weight loss is another sign of diabetes, regardless of maintaining proper diet. When left untreated, cats may suffer from weakness, dehydration, vomiting, loss of appetite and other metabolic disturbances.

The cause of diabetes in cats is unknown. However, it has been associated with hormonal imbalance, obesity, pancreatic disease, genetic predisposition and medications.