How to tell if your cat is diabetic
By anne25penn
@anne25penn (3305)
Philippines
April 24, 2010 10:51pm CST
I've read on a discussion that someone's pet cat died of diabetes. I have a pet cat, Purr and I don't know if he is diabetic or not. I can't bring him to a vet because he doesn't like being cooped in a cage or box and I'm scared unfamiliar surroundings might scare him and he might run away and get hit by a car or get lost. What are the signs of a diabetic cat, if there are signs? I've noticed recently that he hurt his paw, but I can't get him to sit still so that I can have a look at it. So it means it must be really painful, and he limps as he walks. The only good thing about him hurting his paw is that he doesn't go out, and that terror cat and bad dogs of my neighbors don't get to chase him.
2 responses
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
26 Apr 10
The only way to tell is by having a blood test. Put kitty in a cage and bring him to the vet. The vet won't let him get lost. They are used to cats who are frightened.
I have had many cats who hated being put in a cage. I did it because I am their caretaker and I have to do what is best for them. That was going to the vet every year for a checkup and shots.
You have to do what is best for your cat. If you are going to the vet, you might as well make an appointment to have him neutered. It's good for his health.
I have a friend with a diabetic cat. It really isn't that big a deal. She gives the cat injections every day and the cat is fine.
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
27 Apr 10
Thank you for your response. His paw seems to have healed already, thank God. I do want to put him in a cage and bring him to the vet. It usually takes over an hour to get to the vet that will look after him. I just hate it when he howls and cries when he is placed in the cage, so there goes my plans in bringing him out.
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
27 Apr 10
I'm glad his paw was healed. I understand how you hate to make your cat unhappy by being in a cage. Believe me I know how the howling is. I had a cat who howled all the way when we moved two hours away. She was the best cat in the world. May she rest in peace.
Sometimes putting a sheet or towel etc over the cage helps them to be less stressed. The dark is comforting to them. When transporting street cats for TNR, we always cover the cage with something. It makes them less stressed.
I'm so glad that I live near my vet. I love my vet team. They are only a few minutes from my house by car. Nothing in this town is more than 5 minutes away by car, but that's the joy of a small town.
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
27 Apr 10
Thank you for your response. Diabetes is a hormonal condition and its a fallacy that it is linked to too many sweets and desserts. People and other animals develop diabetes when their bodies produce insufficient insulin. I don't feed my cat anything sweet, just the regular cat food.
