Diabetes in cats is just as common as it is in people. It is also just as dangerous if not treated. Caring for a diabetic cat is not hard but does require consistency and diligence.

You may not notice the symptoms at first but as soon as you do, get him in to see his veterinarian right away. The first thing you may notice is excessive water consumption with frequent urination. He will also have an increased appetite, yet dramatic weight loss. You may also see lethargy.

As diabetes goes untreated, a cat may develop neuropathy. This will affect his ability to walk and jump. Instead of walking on the paws, the cat will begin walking on his haunches. This altered walk will be awkward for him and give him a hunchback posture. Jumps that would normally be simple are now impossible.

In essence, what is happening with neuropathy is that the signals being sent from the brain to make the muscles move do not make it back to the muscles. So, your cat will begin his jump but the muscles will fail before the jump is complete. He will miss the target and fall. It is scary to witness. If you have not noticed other symptoms of diabetes but see this behavior, get to the vet as soon as possible.

Fortunately once you have the diabetes under control, neuropathy will clear up on its own. In order to have control of diabetes, your cat will probably need to be on insulin. Insulin is made in the pancreas. When the pancreas fails, blood sugar is too high and insulin must be given. Usually it is given through injections every 12 hours. There are some pills available but in most cases they are not effective. Injected insulin is more effective and there are several different kinds.

Type and amount of insulin is determined with a series of tests. First there is an initial glucose curve.'This is just testing the blood every four hours to monitor the blood sugar throughout the day. Different insulin doses will be given and more curves will be done over time to establish which dose keeps your cat's blood sugar stable throughout the day.

Once the right dose is determined, the injections must be given regularly, usually twice a day. Missing a dose is not generally an issue, although several missed doses will cause sugar levels to stay elevated. The most important thing to keep in mind regarding insulin is that too much is even worse than too little. Too much insulin is extremely dangerous. Seizures and even death can occur instantly. Keep a record of shots given to ensure that he is getting his insulin and also that he isn't inadvertently given shots by two different people.

Also be sure to stay on top of your kitty's appointments with his doctor. This is especially vital in diabetes cases. Amazingly, unlike dogs or people, cats' pancreases have the ability to re-learn to produce insulin again. While this is good news, it is bad news if you continue to deliver insulin. As mentioned before, too much insulin will cause shock and maybe death.

Caring for a cat with diabetes is not hard work. It just takes diligence and a watchful eye. A few ear scratches are also not a bad thing.

It is critical to know what you need to look for regarding diabetes symptoms and the impact on your health. The Diabetes Advice Online services provides you information and details on the steps you need to take when you might have diabetes.

Debbie Foster is the owner of Pet Beds Unlimited and an animal enthusiast. You’ll find a wide selection of quality pet beds, dog crates, dog carriers, dog pens, cat beds, cat carriers, small dog beds, large dog beds, pet strollers and more at http://petbedsunlimited.com.