Diabetes in Senior Cats

Is your cat a bit chunky? Or was a bit chunky and has lost quite a bit of weight even though they have a good appetite? Diabetes can be a very real concern seen in older cats. Diabetes is a disease where the body isn’t producing enough insulin, therefore the body can’t uptake the energy from the food they are eating. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to a life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetes can be managed with daily insulin injections and diet changes and cats can go into remission even! Some symptoms to look out for are: increased appetite, weight loss, increased drinking and increased urination. Sometimes they can even get urinary tract infections and other infections because diabetes makes them susceptible. If you are concerned about the possibility of diabetes contact your vet for urinalysis and blood work to rule it out!

As the conditions that affect our senior pets are generally not curable, it is essential that we catch the disease at its earliest stage so we can minimise permanent damage and give our pets their fullest lives!