How can I treat my cats diabetes at home?

Can you give a diabetic cat insulin at home?

Treatment for Diabetic Cats. At-home insulin therapy commences once the diagnosis has been confirmed and any infection or ketoacidosis is under control. Your veterinarian will give you instructions and demonstrate how to give your cat insulin at home. The most commonly used insulins in cats are glargine and PZI.

What to do if your cat is in diabetic ketoacidosis?

Diet change and weight loss may be prescribed in addition to insulin therapy. If your cat has developed the complication of diabetic ketoacidosis, they will be hospitalized and given IV insulin as well as IV fluids until they are eating and their blood sugar and electrolytes stabilize.

What should I do if my cat has a ketone body?

If the cat is still bright and alert can be treated at home. Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels will be necessary. Intravenous fluids and electrolytes to treat and correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, fluids dilute glucose and acid levels and helps to flush ketones out of the body.

How to treat diabetic ketoacidosis in cats?

1 Blood Glucose levels In order to reduce BG levels, a very fast acting insulin is usually needed. … 2 Re-hydration Most cats suffering from a DKA are severaly dehydrated. Your vet will normally have used IV fluids to re-hydrate your cat. … 3 Electrolyte Imbalances

How do you treat diabetes in cats?

Successful management of diabetic cats involves insulin and dietary therapy, avoidance of corticosteroids if possible, and management of infections or concurrent diseases. As well, regular monitoring and client education are important.

What causes a diabetic cat to become diabetic?

A diabetic cat suffers a deficiency of insulin, the pancreatic hormone that converts glucose, the fuel we get from food, into energy. A diabetic cat’s body either cannot produce enough insulin, or cannot process it correctly.

Can I give my cat insulin without changing the food?

OK, because you are giving a fairly high dose of insulin compared to most other cats, it would be best if you start home testing FIRST, before changing the food and insulin at all.

How much Vetsulin can I give my Cat for diabetes?

Go to site For Pet Owners For cats, the initial recommended dose of Vetsulin® (porcine insulin zinc suspension) is 1 to 2 IU per injection. Cats should be started on twice-daily injections of Vetsulin at 12-hour intervals.

Is there a natural way to treat diabetes in cats?

“Some diabetic cats can be managed on a low-carb food alone, without insulin,” says Koble. ”This is the only ‘natural’ treatment that sometimes works by itself. Many cats need a combination of a low-carb food and insulin.” Most veterinarians agree that natural supplements that tout diabetes remedies don’t…

Where do you give insulin insulin injections to cats?

Insulin injections should be given just under the skin. Many cats tolerate the injections well when given about one to two inches from the middle of the back, near the shoulder blade or hip bone. Be sure to alternate the location each time you give an injection to avoid soreness.

Do cats need insulin for diabetes?

While insulin may be necessary to ensure effectiveness in managing diabetes in cats, pet parents can also take a natural approach to diet and lifestyle changes following a diabetes diagnosis. Raines recommends a low-carb diet without the addition of grains, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and green peas.

What is feline diabetic ketoacidosis?

Feline diabetic ketoacidosis is a buildup of ketones in the bloodstream of a cat’s body. Ketoacidosis is a result of diabetes that has worsened or hasn’t been treated sufficiently. What’s Happening in the Cat’s Body A lack of insulin means that the cat’s cells can’t properly use glucose for energy.

How to treat diabetic vomiting in cats?

There are three parts to treating diabetic vomiting in cats. Firstly, their blood sugar levels need to be checked to make sure that the vomiting isn’t due to diabetic ketoacidosis. Secondly, the main cause of the vomiting must be diagnosed and treated appropriately.

What to do if your cat has diabetic ketoacidosis?

Those cats with systemic signs of DKA such as anorexia/vomiting/lethargy need hospitalisation and therapy with regular insulin and intravenous fluids. Monitoring of sick ketoacidotic patients is intensive. Acid-base, electrolyte and blood glucose levels can change rapidly during therapy, and close monitoring of these parameters is mandatory.

What causes a diabetic cat to have diabetic ketoacidosis?

DKA condition can occur in pets with new diabetes or in current diabetics that decompensate. Secondary diseases and/or infections can cause diabetics to decompensate and develop DKA. Signs associated with DKA depend on the individual cat and the length of time they have been ill.

What happens when a cat doesn’t have enough insulin?

Not enough insulin means the glucose stays in the bloodstream until it works through his kidneys and is eliminated through his urine. Your cat will not simply wake up one day and have full-blown diabetes. It’s a slow progression with various seemingly unrelated symptoms that all stem from the excess sugar in his body.

Can an overweight cat become diabetic?

Overweight cats are more prone to become diabetic than cats of healthy weight; males are slightly more likely to become diabetic than females. Each cat’s diabetes is an specific condition; your veterinarian will provide individualized treatment for your pet based on his symptoms.

What happens if a diabetic cat has low ketones?

Ketones occur when the body cannot access blood glucose for energy. Untreated ketones can lead to a life threatening situation, a diabetic keto-acidosis or DKA. A DKA is an emergency situation, and vet care is essential. Catching ketones at low levels and taking appropriate action can save your cat’s life.

When to take your cat to the vet for ketones?

Untreated ketones can lead to a life threatening situation, a diabetic keto-acidosis or DKA. A DKA is an emergency situation, and vet care is essential. Catching ketones at low levels and taking appropriate action can save your cat’s life. It is important to test for ketones if your cat is over renal threshold (225-250/12.5-13.8 for most cats).

How do you test for ketones in cats?

Blood ketone testing does allow an “immediate” result – ketones are present in the blood before they spill over in the urine and are picked up by urine ketone testing strips. Being alerted early to the presence of ketones can be important in cats that develop ketones quickly, and for those that have suffered from DKAs (in particular if recently).

Why does my cat have ketones in her blood?

A cat that is not eating well – usually as a result of an infection, pancreatitis, etc – is also more at risk for ketones and should be monitored.

What causes a cat to develop ketoacidosis?

The cellular demand for glucose triggers the pancreas to release glucagon, which causes the liver to produce even more glucose. Diabetes usually affects middle-aged to older cats with a mean age of seven years. Most cats who develop ketoacidosis are diabetics who have had a recent diagnosis. Other causes can include: