Diabetes is a common endocrine (hormone) disorder in cats, and it requires careful monitoring and management. A key part of that monitoring is understanding what a normal glucose level in a cat looks like.
Knowing the normal range for blood sugar in cats is essential for early detection and effective treatment of diabetes. When your cat is diagnosed with diabetes, you and your vet will need to work together to maintain a normal glucose level. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of what constitutes a normal glucose level in cats, discuss different monitoring techniques, and outline some management strategies for feline diabetes.
Understanding Blood Glucose: Normal vs. Diabetic Ranges
When it comes to blood glucose levels in cats, there’s a normal range and a range that indicates possible diabetes.
Normal Blood Glucose Levels in Cats
For cats, the typical normal blood glucose range is 80 to 120 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter). Keep in mind that certain things, like stress, diet, and activity levels, can briefly affect blood glucose levels.
Diabetic Blood Glucose Levels in Cats
If your cat has diabetes, you’ll likely see blood glucose levels consistently above 200 mg/dL. The renal threshold, which is the point at which glucose spills into the urine, is usually between 200 and 280 mg/dL in cats. That means if your cat’s blood glucose is higher than that, glucose will likely be present in the urine.
Recognizing the signs of feline diabetes
Diabetes in cats can show up in a few different ways. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Increased thirst (polydipsia): You might notice your cat is drinking a lot more water than usual.
- Increased urination (polyuria): This goes hand-in-hand with drinking more. Expect to see bigger puddles in the litter box and more frequent trips.
- Increased appetite (polyphagia) with weight loss: It sounds weird, but diabetic cats often eat more but still lose weight.
- Lethargy and decreased activity: Your cat might seem tired, less interested in playing, and generally sluggish.
- Plantigrade stance (walking on hocks): This is a strange one. It means your cat is walking on their ankles (hocks) instead of their paws because of nerve damage. This is a complication of diabetes called diabetic neuropathy.
Monitoring blood glucose levels in diabetic cats
If your cat is diagnosed with diabetes, the vet will need to monitor your cat’s blood glucose level to make sure they’re getting the right amount of insulin and that their diet is helping to keep their blood sugar stable.
Regular monitoring is key to avoiding complications from blood sugar that’s either too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia).
Here are some of the ways your vet might monitor your cat’s glucose level:
- Urine glucose testing. Dipsticks can show whether there’s glucose in your cat’s urine. This test can give a general idea of your cat’s glucose level, but it’s not as exact as measuring glucose in their blood.
- Blood glucose testing. A glucometer can measure the glucose level in your cat’s blood. Because you can do this at home, you can get real-time data on your cat’s glucose level.
- Fructosamine testing. This test measures your cat’s average blood glucose level over the previous few weeks. It’s a good way to see whether your cat’s blood sugar has been well-controlled over time.
- Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Devices like the FreeStyle Libre can track your cat’s glucose level around the clock.
How to test your cat’s blood sugar at home
If your veterinarian recommends it, you can test your cat’s blood glucose at home. Here’s how:
- Prepare your supplies. You’ll need a glucometer, test strips, a lancet, cotton balls, and alcohol.
- Get a blood sample. Most people use the edge of their cat’s ear or paw pad. Gently rub the area to get the blood flowing. Use the lancet to prick the skin and collect a small blood drop on the test strip.
- Run the test. Put the test strip into the glucometer and wait for the reading.
- Write down the results. Keep a log of your cat’s blood sugar levels. Talk to your veterinarian about what the results mean and how to adjust your cat’s treatment.
Understanding and Utilizing Glucose Curves
A glucose curve is a tool your veterinarian may use to determine how well your cat’s insulin treatment is working. It involves taking a series of blood glucose measurements over a number of hours.
It’s important to keep your cat’s routine consistent during glucose curve testing. Try to maintain the same exercise and feeding routine to get the most reliable results.
Performing a Glucose Curve
Typically, the vet will measure your cat’s blood glucose every two hours for 12 hours after a meal and an insulin injection. The goal is to keep your cat’s blood glucose within the range of 120-300 mg/dL for most of the day.
Throughout the day, the vet will be looking for signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), both of which indicate that the insulin dose might need to be adjusted.
Managing Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia
When your cat’s blood sugar is out of the normal range, it’s important to know what to do.
Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar)
If your cat’s blood sugar is too high, you may notice these signs:
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Increased appetite
- Weight loss
If you think your cat is hyperglycemic, call your veterinarian right away. They may want to adjust your cat’s insulin dosage.
Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)
If your cat’s blood sugar is too low, you may see these signs:
- Lethargy
- Wobbliness
- Seizures
If you suspect your cat has low blood sugar, immediately give them a small amount of sugar, such as corn syrup or honey. Then, take your cat to the vet right away. They’ll want to check your cat’s blood sugar and make sure they’re stable.
Dietary Management and Insulin Therapy
If your cat has been diagnosed with diabetes, a consistent feeding schedule is key. Regular feeding times help to regulate blood sugar levels.
Your veterinarian may also recommend a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet. This type of diet can help stabilize glucose levels.
Finally, many diabetic cats require insulin therapy. It’s vital to note that the right insulin dosage is different for every cat and must be based on glucose curves and your vet’s specific instructions.
What are the complications of diabetes in cats?
When blood sugar remains too high for long periods, cats can experience a range of health problems:
- Diabetic neuropathy: Nerve damage, often causing a cat to walk on their hocks (plantigrade stance).
- Kidney damage: High glucose levels damage the kidneys.
- Blindness (cataracts): High blood sugar causes cataracts.
- Urinary tract infections: Diabetic cats are more prone to UTIs.
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): A life-threatening emergency that requires immediate veterinary treatment.
Putting It All Together
If you suspect your cat has diabetes, early diagnosis and consistent monitoring are essential. The sooner you catch it and manage it, the better your cat’s quality of life will be.
Managing feline diabetes involves monitoring blood glucose levels, carefully controlling your cat’s diet, and providing insulin therapy as prescribed by your veterinarian. You may also need to monitor your cat for other complications of diabetes.
Working closely with your vet to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your cat’s specific needs is the best way to help your cat live a long and comfortable life.