Hepatic lipidosis in diabetic cats causes jaundice

Cats with feline diabetes can live long, happy lives.  But every pet owner who lives with a diabetic cat must be aware of these four problems that often go along with diabetes in cats.

Hypoglycemia In Cats Results From Low Blood Sugar Levels

Hypoglycemia in cats can happen any time your cat’s blood sugar levels get too low.  This can happen if he skips a meal, or if he gets too much exercise.

Low blood glucose levels affect the brain first, because unlike other organs in the body, it can’t store glucose.  Your kitty will be weak and listless.  He may be dizzy, or even stagger around.  In advanced stages, he may have seizures, or go into a coma.

Feline hypoglycemia can kill a cat very quickly, so you must be prepared for this emergency.  Keep some Karo syrup around so you can rub some on his gums and under his tongue.  The sugar will be absorbed quickly into his system.

This is a veterinary emergency.  Get your pet to the vet as soon as you can.

Ketoacidosis in Cats

Sometimes this is the first symptom of feline diabetes.  It’s often seen in cats with diabetes who are not receiving treatment.

Your kitty’s body breaks down glucose to provide energy for bodily processes.  If there is no insulin present, the body will start breaking down fat instead.  Fat breakdown produces a waste product called ketones.

A build-up of ketones in your cat’s body can lead to:

• Excessive thirst OR avoiding water completely
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy and weakness
• Dehydration
• Vomiting
• Urinating often
• Fast breathing
• Breath smells sweet, or like nail polish remover

Again, this is a veterinary emergency.  Your kitty needs immediate treatment, or he’ll die.

Feline Neuropathy

Your pet may walk on his “wrists” on his front legs, or on his hocks (the “elbows”) on his back legs.  This strange walk is due to nerve damage caused by high blood glucose levels.

Diabetic neuropathy in cats is sometimes reversed when your kitty’s blood sugar levels are regulated properly.  It does take some time and patience, however, before this can happen.

Hepatic Lipidosis

This is also known as  fatty liver in cats.  An overweight cat who suddenly stops eating is at risk for this serious problem.  Fat builds up in the liver, which causes swelling.  The symptoms are similar to those of ketoacidosis in cats, but you’ll also notice jaundice as well.  The whites of his eyes, and the insides of his ears, will develop a yellowish cast.

Hepatic lipidosis can be fatal if it’s not treated.  Your kitty may need to be fed by tube if he won’t eat.  Most cats do get better after tube feeding.

If you have a diabetic cat, it’s important to monitor his health carefully.

Related articles

• Feline Diabetes And Caring For Your Diabetic Cat (yourcatcareguide.com)
• What Is Feline Hepatic Lipidosis? Facts About Fatty Liver Disease in Cats (brighthub.com)

Cataracts in dogs are common in pets with canine diabetes

Most dogs with canine diabetes will go blind within a year.  Why?  Because diabetes in dogs leads to cataracts.  Cataracts in dogs can develop very quickly, often within a matter of weeks.  And it can happen before the owner is even aware of it.

In fact, sudden blindness in dogs is often the first symptom of a diabetic dog that a pet owner will notice.

What Exactly Is A Cataract?

The eyeball contains a lens, which is usually clear and transparent.  If the lens should become opaque and cloudy, the person or animal can no longer see, because the cloudy lens blocks vision.

Why Do Canine Diabetics Develop Cataracts?

High blood sugar levels are to blame.  In fact, high levels of glucose in the blood will cause damage to all organs in your dog’s body, if left untreated.  The eyes are often the first part of your dog’s body to be affected.

A quick lesson on your dog’s eyes is in order.  The lens of the eye gets all its nutrition from the fluid found in the eyeball.  The lens is  normally dehydrated, compared to the rest of the body.

When blood sugar levels rise, and remain high, the excess sugar builds up in the eyeball fluid, too.  The lens absorbs the extra sugar, which causes it to become even more dehydrated than usual.  In an effort to dilute the sugar, the lens absorbs too much water.  The lens becomes cloudy due to the extra water, and the dog loses his sight.

Much to the shock and dismay of a pet owner, this process can happen within a few weeks, before he or she is even aware of any problem.

Treatment For Cataract In Dogs

Believe it or not, surgery for cataracts in dogs is becoming a common procedure.  Once blood sugar levels are stabilized, usually within three months, the surgery can take place.  Canine cataract surgery results in about 75% of affected animals regaining their vision.

The downside is that this surgery is very expensive.  Not all pet owners can afford it, while others decide not to have the surgery done.  Blind dogs get along very well.  With a little extra care from their owners, they can live long and happy lives.

Since other complications are possible, your vet will have to check your dog’s eyes regularly.

What Are Common Complications Of Cataracts In Dogs With Diabetes?

A problem often seen in diabetic dogs with cataracts is that the cataract can become “hypermature.”  When this happens, the cataract will begin to dissolve, leaking fluid into the eyeball.  This process is quite painful for your dog, as the dissolving cataract causes inflammation and redness in the eye.  This is called uveitis.

If uveitis occurs, cataract surgery is no longer an option, as there is a much greater risk of complications.  Uveitis can be associated with detached retinas and glaucoma, so if your pet develops these symptoms, take him to the vet right away.

Is It Possible To Reverse Cataracts?

Vets say no, but some herbalists believe that bilberry can not only slow down the progression of cataracts, but may even reverse them.  Bilberry, a close relative of the blueberry, has a long history in folk medicine for eye problems.  Bilberries contain anthocyanins, a substance that neutralizes the free radicals that can damage the eyes.

Can bilberries help a blind dog with canine diabetes?  It’s hard to say.  Bilberry is a safe herb to use, so it wouldn’t hurt to try it.  Remember to always check with your vet before making any changes in your dog’s medications.

Related articles

• Cataracts in Dogs (therealowner.com)

Prevent canine diabetes by keeping your dog's weight under control

Did you know that canine diabetes is striking more and more dogs?  Diabetes in dogs is becoming an epidemic.  Yet many dog owners don’t even know what symptoms to look for.

Don’t let your pet become a victim of sudden blindness or a potentially fatal diabetic coma.  Knowing the seven symptoms of diabetes in dogs may save your companion’s life.

1.  He Drinks And Drinks And Drinks

If your dog seems to be drinking a lot of water, pay attention.  A large dog can drink a lot a water every day, but if it seems like his water bowl is always empty, canine diabetes could be the reason.  An undiagnosed diabetic is thirsty because his body is trying to flush out the extra sugar in the system.

2.  Is He Having Accidents In The House?

A dog that’s always been well house trained may suddenly start having accidents all over the house.  There can be several reasons for this, including a canine urinary tract infection.  But if he’s drinking too much water due to high blood sugar levels, he’ll need to go out more often.  And if he can’t make it outside in time, you’ll find puddles in the house.

3.  He’s Eating Everything In Sight, But He’s Not Gaining Weight

Or he’s losing weight, for seemingly no reason.  Take him to the vet for a check-up.

4.  He’s Lost His Get-Up-And-Go

Your dog used to have lots of pep.  But now he just wants to lay around all day.  It may not be because he’s getting older.  He could have diabetes in dogs.

5.  His Breath Smells Sweet

Doggy breath that smells sweet is a tip-off that something is wrong.  Or his breath could smell of acetone.  In either case, you need to get him to the vet right away.

6.  Lingering Infections

If your companion has been battling a series of infections and can’t seem to shake them, he could have canine diabetes.

7.  Sudden Blindness

Sadly, this is often the first symptom of canine diabetes that many pet owners will see.  Diabetes causes cataracts in dogs, and it can happen very quickly.

Or Your Dog May Not Show Any Symptoms At All

Some diabetic dogs develop symptoms so slowly and gradually that their owners don’t even notice, or chalk them up to “old age.”  There’s a reason this disease is known as the “silent killer” in dogs.  If your pet’s health seems to be going downhill slowly, have him checked for diabetes.

How Can You Help A Dog With Canine Diabetes?

An overweight dog is much more likely to become a canine diabetic.  A sensible diet and lots of exercise will go a long way towards preventing this disease.

Many owners find that natural pet remedies can help to keep their dog’s blood sugar levels under control.  These herbs help to regulate blood sugar naturally.

Remember to always check with your vet before changing any aspect of your dog’s treatment program.

Related articles

• As Doggie Diabetes Soars, Human Treatment May Help (livescience.com)
• What Would Cause a Golden Retriever to Lose Weight? (brighthub.com)

Feline diabetes can cause weak legs in cats

Diabetes in cats can come as a surprise to many pet owners.  Often the first symptom of feline diabetes is seeing your cat walking on her “elbows” on her back legs, or on her “wrists” on her front legs.  She may tire easily, and need to rest often, even after a short walk.  And her feet may go out from underneath her with no warning.

This condition is called “feline neuropathy.”

What Does Feline Diabetes Have To Do With Your Cat’s Legs?

High blood glucose levels can cause nerve damage, both in human diabetics, and in feline diabetics.  If your kitty is already showing signs of feline neuropathy, she needs to see the vet as soon as possible to prevent any further damage to her body.

Neuropathy in Cats With Diabetes

You probably already know that when the body is unable to regulate the blood sugar levels, the result is diabetes.  In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin.  In type 2 diabetes, which is most common in cats, the body can’t use the insulin that’s being produced.

In either case, the result is the same:  dangerously high blood sugar levels.

And why are high levels of glucose in the blood a bad situation?  Nerve, kidney and eye cells don’t need insulin in order to absorb glucose from the bloodstream.  They just keep on absorbing sugar, with nothing to stop them.  When the sugar levels in these cells get too high, it damages them so that they can’t work properly.

Is It Possible To Reverse Feline Neuropathy?

If the situation is caught in time, and your cat’s blood sugar levels are normalized, your kitty’s legs may return to normal.  But if it’s gone on too long, the muscles in your cats legs may waste away somewhat.  Gently exercising your feline’s legs may help.

Some owners have been able to reverse the muscle wasting by giving their pets methyl B-12.  This is short for methylcobalamin.  You may want to try giving your cat three to five mg per day.

Can Natural Remedies For Cats Help A Feline Diabetic?

Many cat owners are successfully controlling their pet’s blood sugar levels with a combination of diet, exercise, and natural remedies for cats.  Fenugreek, astragalus, and goat’s rue are herbs that have been shown to control blood sugar levels.  Chromium is a trace mineral that is also showing promise for diabetics.

Always talk to your vet before using any natural remedies for cats.  Most vets are very open to natural pet remedies, and are willing to give them a try.

Related articles

• Feline Diabetes Has Four Dangerous Complications (yourcatcareguide.com)
• Feline Diabetes And Caring For Your Diabetic Cat (yourcatcareguide.com)