What is Feline Diabetes Mellitus?
Diabetes mellitus is characterized by an increase in blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels. Blood glucose levels in cats are regulated by insulin. When insulin is produced in abnormally low levels, hyperglycemia (elevated blood glucose levels) result. In addition, cells may be resistant to the effects of insulin which may also lead to hyperglycemia. There are many different disease processes which can cause diabetes mellitus in cats or make a cat more likely to develop diabetes. However, regardless of the cause, the end result is always hyperglycemia, the hallmark feature of feline diabetes. Symptoms of Feline Diabetes The most common symptoms seen with feline diabetes are an increase in thirst, an increase in urine production, an increase in appetite and weight loss. Another symptom sometimes seen in cats with diabetes is a neuropathy which results in a flat-footed stance and abnormal gait. This neurological abnormality results from the nerves being unable to send normal electrical im
