Diabetes with Coma in Cats

Diabetes Mellitus with Hyperosmolar Coma in Cats

 

The pancreas is an organ located in the abdomen, near the stomach. Under normal circumstances, the pancreas makes insulin, a polypeptide hormone that helps to control blood sugar (glucose) levels in the body. When a cat eats food, its blood sugar rises in accordance with the sugars in the food (whether they are natural sugars or not). The pancreas then makes insulin to lower the blood sugar levels to a healthy level. In this way, the other organs in the body are able to absorb and use this sugar for energy.

 

In the case of diabetes mellitus, the pancreas is not capable of producing enough insulin. When this happens, the blood sugar level remains too high, a condition defined as hyperglycemia. A cat’s body responds to high blood sugar in several ways. First, extra urine is produced and your cat will need to urinate more frequently than usual. Because it is urinating a lot more, it will drink a lot more water, too. Eventually, your cat will be at risk for becoming dehydrated because of the excess urination.

 

Because insulin helps the body to use sugar for energy, lack of insulin also means that the body’s organs will not receive enough energy. This will make your cat feel hungry all the time, and though it will eat a lot more food, it will not gain weight.

 

If the diabetic condition is not treated early, your cat's blood sugar level will go higher and higher. Because of the excessively elevated glucose level, even more urine will be made and the cat will become dehydrated due to the loss of fluid. This combination of very high blood sugar and dehydration will eventually affect the brain's ability to function normally, leading to depression, seizures and coma. Coma is rare, however, since symptoms will often warrant a visit to the veterinarian before a pet's health has deteriorated to that level.

 

Symptoms and Type

 

Diabetes mellitus without other problems

• Drinking a lot of water (polydipsia)
• Urinating a lot (polyuria)
• Eating a lot but not gaining weight
• Always seeming hungry
• Weight loss

 

Diabetes mellitus with other problems

• Not wanting to move around much
• Lack of energy (lethargy)
• Vomiting
• Not wanting to eat (anorexia)
• Lack of excitement or enthusiasm for regular activities (depression)
• Not responding when called or spoken to
• Not aware of what’s going on in the environment (stupor)
• Seizures
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Coma – long periods with no response to stimuli and inability to be roused

 

Causes

 

Diabetes Mellitus without complications

• Pancreas does not make enough insulin

 

Diabetes Mellitus with complications

• Pancreas does not make enough insulin
• Prolonged high blood sugar and dehydration change the way the brain works

 

 

 

Diagnosis

 

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your cat, taking into account the background history of symptoms that you provide and possible incidents that might have precipitated this condition. A complete blood count, biochemical profile and urine analysis will be ordered. The veterinarian will use these tests to determine your cat's blood sugar level, water and electrolyte balance, and how well its internal organs are functioning. These tests will also help your veterinarian to determine if there are any other diseases that might be aggravating your cat's diabetes mellitus.

 

Treatment

 

If your cat has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus but is alert, active, and eating, it will be started on insulin therapy and a special food diet. Some cats are able to take medications by mouth instead of insulin injections to help control blood sugar.

 

If your cat has diabetes along with other problems like depression and dehydration, it will be kept in the hospital for several days, where it will be given fluids and insulin until its blood sugar levels have stabilized. It will also be started on a special diet to control blood sugar.

 

If your cat is diabetic and in a coma, is having seizures, or has almost no energy (is very lethargic), it can be considered to be in a life threatening condition. Your cat will be placed in the intensive care unit of the hospital for several days where your veterinarian can intravenously (IV) treat it with fluids and electrolytes. Your cat's blood sugar and electrolyte level will be determined every few hours until it has stabilized. Your cat will also start receiving insulin to bring down the blood sugar level, and you will be given medications to help control vomiting or other symptoms your cat might have.

 

While your cat is in the hospital, your veterinarian will be watching for and treating other diseases which can occur while your pet is being stabilized. Some of these are heart failure, kidney failure, bleeding into the intestines, or infections. Getting your cat to the point where it feels better is a slow process, since bringing the blood sugar down too fast could make your cat's health worse. Cats that have become very ill with diabetes do not do well, especially if they have other diseases concurrent with diabetes.

 

Living and Management

 

Once your cat's blood sugar has been brought down and it is eating and drinking on its own, it will be able to go home with you. Most cats that have been very sick with diabetes will need insulin. Some cats are able to take oral medications to help control blood sugar; your veterinarian can tell you whether your cat is a good candidate for oral medications. Your veterinarian will teach you how and when to give insulin injections to your cat, and will also help you to formulate a diet to control its blood sugar levels. It is important to follow all of your veterinarian’s instructions for meals, and for scheduled insulin or medication. Do not change the amount of insulin you give or how often you give it without consulting with your veterinarian first.

 

Initially, your cat will need to return for follow-up visits frequently, and there may be times when it will need to remain in the hospital for some of these visits so its blood sugar level can be checked every two hours. Occasionally, some diabetic cats can become non-diabetics again, but more often affected cats need insulin and special food for the rest of their lives. Your veterinarian will discuss with you how to tell if your cat is becoming a non-diabetic again.

 

Prevention

 

To prevent your cat from developing dehydration, seizures or a coma because of diabetes, you will need to stick to a regular health and diet schedule with your cat, and return to your veterinarian for all follow-up visits. This will ensure that your cat is receiving the correct dose of insulin.

 

It will be important to monitor your cat for any changes in its appetite or behavior, including its energy levels. One of the health issues that arises with this condition is a higher frequency of infections, and you will need to have your cat treated quickly before it gets out of hand if this should occur. Consult with your veterinarian as soon as you notice any changes.