Diabetes In Cats And Feline Hypoglycemia -- What You Must Know

If you live with a feline diabetic, you need to know about hypoglycemia. Since high blood glucose levels are a problem with feline diabetes, it seems that lower blood sugar levels would be better. But this isn't the case. If your pet's glucose levels drop too low, it can be fatal quickly. Learn what causes hypoglycemia, what symptoms to watch for, and how to treat it by reading this article.

What Is Hypoglycemia?

If a cat's glucose levels are well-regulated, they should be around 100 mg/dl. 80 mg/dl is considered low, and 40 mg/dl or below is extremely dangerous. To be on the safe side, it's better for your pet's levels to be higher, not lower, as levels that are too low will kill him.

What Causes Hypoglycemia In A Diabetic Cat?

Your pet can develop hypoglycemia for several reasons:

*Too much insulin was given by mistake.
*The kitty received a double dose of insulin from two people in the family. It's best if only one person is in charge of giving insulin injections to prevent this situation.
*The diabetic cat was given insulin before a meal, and then either didn't eat, or threw up after eating.
*Your kitty was a lot more active than he usually is.

Sometimes a kitty will have a spontaneous remission from diabetes in cats, which means insulin injections are no longer necessary.

Symptoms Of Feline Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia affects the brain first, because unlike other organs, the brain doesn't store glucose for later use. Your kitty may show the following symptoms:

*Extreme hunger or no interest in eating at all
*Restlessness
*Acting weak or lethargic
*Tilting his head
*Shivering because his body temperature is dropping
*Staggering around, or becoming increasingly uncoordinated
*Acts like he can't see
*Disoriented--walking in circles, yowling, or hiding
*Seizures
*Coma

Your kitty may be drooling, or have glassy eyes. He could vomit or be sleepy, too. Watch for strange behavior that's out of the ordinary.

First Aid For A Hypoglycemic Kitty

If symptoms are mild, try feeding your pet his normal food. If he won't eat it, tempt him with a treat, as he needs to eat something right away. Try mixing a little honey with his food to get those levels where they belong.

Always keep honey or corn syrup on hand, along with some empty syringes (without needles). If your kitty's sugar levels drop too low, squirt a little honey or syrup into his mouth. If he's unconscious and can't swallow, rub some on his gums. If he's having seizures, be careful you don't get bitten.  

In severe cases, wrap your pet in a blanket to keep him warm, and take him to the vet right away. If your kitty responds well to being given corn syrup or honey, talk to your vet before giving him any more insulin, as his dosage may need to be adjusted.

Natural Remedies For Cats Can Help To Regulate Glucose Levels

Many pet owners have had great success using herbal pet remedies to regulate their pets' glucose levels naturally. Research has shown that the herbs goat's rue, fenugreek, and astragalus, in combination with the mineral chromium, are safe and effective to use with cats. You'll want to find a remedy formulated especially for pets, not people, and deal only with a company that produces the highest-quality herbal pet remedies.

Talk to your vet today about using natural remedies for cats. You may be able to lower or eliminate your diabetic cat's insulin injections, and reduce his risk of developing feline hypoglycemia.