Diabetes mellitus: Diagnosis and treatment
When diabetes mellitus in cats is suspected, the veterinarian usually takes a detailed medical history regarding the cat’s health leading up to the onset of the symptoms. It would be usually followed by standard tests including complete blood count, chemical profile, and urine analysis. These tests are usually sufficient for diagnosis and initial treatment. 1. Diagnosis Typically, an unusually high level of glucose would be found in the blood and urine. High levels of liver enzymes and electrolytes imbalances can also be traced in these tests. Evidence of abnormally high levels of ketone bodies and other abnormalities can also be found in a urine test. To diagnose concurrent diseases and complications due to diabetes, radiographic studies including x-rays and ultrasonography are useful. X-rays of the abdomen and ultrasound helps to determine associated abnormalities like kidney stones or inflammation of the liver and pancreas. 2. Treatment To manage diabetes, the cat owner should be on toes about their cat’s health. They should work on maintaining good rapport with the veterinarian. The vets do not have one broad protocol of treatment for all incidences of diabetes in cats and will base the treatment on the individual cat. The vet will choose that particular type of insulin that suits the cat, from among various types of insulin available in the market.