Can cats be diabetic?

[MummyDoIt]

Just wondering as my cat is drinking an awful lot of water at the moment which is a symptom of diabetes. I'm going to ring the vets tomorrow for an appointment but wondered if anyone knew if cats get this.

yes I have heard of a diabetic cat

Yes, could eaily be diabetes, or a kidney problem. Alternatively, my cat was drinking vast amounts of water - as well as losing weight - and it turned out he has a thyrrhoid (sp?) problem...

She's not losing any weight so probably not thyroid. I shall mention it to the vet and see what he says.

Yes - the cat at my son's school is diabetic. Which pleases my son, as he is too. |Hope the vet visit goes well.

I definately would mention it, just for peace of mind MummyDoIt. Cats can indeed suffer from diabetes - usually what we call sugar diabetes (I forget the medical term).

As Gumbo said, it could also be a sign of a kidney problem, which AFAIK is more common than diabetes in cats. It has been said in the past by vets that kidney problems can be due to feeding a dry biscuit diet. Kidney problems are more often, but not always, seen in older cats.

I do hope that your cat gets a clean bill of health, all the best.

my friend's cat is diabetic. jags twice a day, total pita.

Well, we have an appointment to see the vet tomorrow. I really hope it's not diabetes. Having to inject her every day would be a real pain (for both of us!!!).

As others have said, it is more likely to be kidney problems than diabetes - could be a bladder infection which would easily be sorted with antibiotics.

My puss drinks ALOT of water if she's had crunchies (which she loves).

all the best - I'll second the likelihood of kidney problems, especially on dried food.

Just had my cat to the vets and found she's arthritic, poor old girl. Off to heat the heat pad for her.

Did you get Metacam for your cat Brambles? My old (and sadly now deceased cat - hence the MN name) was diagnosed with arthritis in the last couple of years of his life, took Metacam once a day and was like a kitten! Completely perked him up. I think all old cats should be given it!

yes and she's had two doses and is back to her sprightly self, bless her. My old dog had metacam too in his last days, it made a difference.

Well, looks like you were all pretty spot on as we have to take in a urine sample to test for diabetes and kidney disease. Should know more in a couple of days. On the plus side, apart from the thirst, she's very well. No weight loss, no discomfort. The vet couldn't believe she was 18 years old as she looks so well.

She's doing very well for 18, I hope the test results give space for support. My old girl was 21 when she died and had a few kidney problems at the end - but a very happy last few years, spent the winters on the boiler. x

Mummydo it - if you notice this message on an old thread, can you please reply to say how you got on? My 15yo cat has just been diagnosed as diabetic and I have to take her to the vet this afternoon to discuss treatment options. I'd be interested to hear how you have been getting on.

My cat is already on a prescription diet for IBS, and tests indicate that kidney problems are on the way (waiting on results of more tests about that)

One of my friends has a diabetic cat

She gives her special food and drugs ~ I think by injection ~ she is a nurse herself

But anyway the cat has been diabetic for quite a few years and is quite old so they can deffo live with it

Good luck