Feline Diabetes: Signs and Symptoms

Feline diabetes symptoms will vary from cat to cat depending upon the type and stage of the disease. This disease can affect cats of any age, either male or female. The prime candidates for diabetes, however, are older males, especially those who are over weight.

Excessive urination and thirst (known as polyuria and polydipsia) are the most obvious early signs of the disease. Initially, your cat may show only these symptoms, or no symptoms at all.

As diabetes in cats progresses, additional symptoms may surface. These may include weight loss, even with an increase in the consumption of food.

In addition, sick cats may develop lethargy. They may also become weak in the hind legs due to a condition known as diabetic neuropathy.

Untreated cats may experience increasingly more severe symptoms. These may include vomiting, dehydration, and subsequent loss of appetite. Over time, affected cats may develop poor hair coat, secondary infections, and liver disease.

A potentially fatal condition known as ketoacidosis can develop in some cats with diabetes. This may bring on breathing abnormalities, and vomiting and diarrhea.

Over weight cats who get limited activity are at higher risk, so ensure that your cat gets plenty of exercise and doesn't over eat. Keeping your cat's weight down and activity level up will help reduce the effects of the disease. With treatment, feline diabetes is usually a very manageable disease.

Article Source: http://www.health-fitness-for-all.com

Kurt Schmitt has built an online resource for cat lovers and writes about cat health problems such as feline diabetes You can get a unique content version of this article from the Uber Article Directory.

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