Insulin for cats

Diabetes mellitus affects 0.5-1% of cats, a large portion of our feline friends. Pet owners are rightly concerned about this issue¹. Luckily, the U.S. FDA recently approved two breakthrough drugs. These are Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. They have changed the game for treating diabetic cats¹.

These new drugs, Bexagliflozin and Velagliflozin, are amazing. They are over 80% effective at managing diabetes in cats. This offers a fresh and powerful option to traditional insulin use¹. It’s important for cat owners to learn about insulin and other treatments. This knowledge helps them take the best care of their furry friends.

Key Takeaways

• Diabetes affects an estimated 0.5-1% of the feline population.
• Two new SGLT2 inhibitors, Bexagliflozin and Velagliflozin, have been approved by the FDA for treating feline diabetes.
• SGLT2 inhibitors are more than 80% effective in managing diabetes in cats.
• Insulin therapy remains a mainstay of treatment for feline diabetes, with various insulin preparations available.
• Proper insulin administration, dietary management, and close monitoring are essential for managing diabetes in cats.

Understanding Diabetes in Cats

Diabetes mellitus happens when a cat’s body can’t use or make enough insulin². This insulin is needed to control blood sugar levels. The disease affects a cat’s health and requires proper care.

What is Diabetes Mellitus?

Type I diabetes means the body makes too little insulin. Type II diabetes occurs when cells don’t use insulin well. Cats often develop type II diabetes. This leads to high blood sugar levels³.

Types of Diabetes in Cats

• Type I Diabetes Mellitus: It’s rare in cats and comes from a lack of insulin due to beta cell loss².
• Type II Diabetes Mellitus: This is common in cats, caused by insulin resistance. It’s linked with obesity³².
• Type III Diabetes: Comes from insulin resistance due to certain hormones, like during pregnancy².

It’s important to know the types of cat diabetes for their proper care². It’s the second most seen endocrine disease in cats². It shows more in older cats and more in males than females².

Obesity is a main issue for type II diabetes in cats. Those over 13 pounds face a bigger risk²³. Knowing the kinds of diabetes and their causes is key to helping cats well.

Risk Factors for Feline Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is quite common in cats, affecting around 0.5% of them⁴. Many risk factors can lead to this disease. It’s important for both pet owners and vets to know these.

Obesity is a top risk for feline diabetes. An obese cat is 3 to 5 times more likely to get it. In the U.S., more than 40% of cats aged 5 to 11 and who are obese have diabetes⁴. Helping your cat stay slim and active lowers this risk.

Age plays a big role too. You’ll often see diabetes in cats over 6, with most cases appearing after 10 years⁴. Neutered cats are at a higher risk than those not fixed. And male cats seem to face more risk than females⁴.

Using steroids for other health problems can up the risk as well⁴. Some breeds, like the Burmese, might be more prone to diabetes in certain places. Though, this doesn’t seem to hold true in the U.S⁴..

Knowing about these risks lets vets and owners take early steps. This is key to keeping high-risk cats healthy or managing their diabetes well.

Keeping cats at a healthy weight and active is crucial. This, along with knowing risk factors, can help prevent or manage diabetes in cats. It takes teamwork between owners and veterinarians⁴⁵⁶.

Clinical Signs of Diabetes in Cats

Diabetes mellitus affects 0.5-1% of cats and is becoming more common⁷. Pet owners need to recognize the signs of this condition⁷.

Weight Loss and Increased Appetite

Many cats with diabetes lose weight but are always hungry⁷. Their bodies can’t use glucose well, so they break down fats and proteins instead⁷. Breeds like the Burmese are more at risk⁷.

Excessive Thirst and Urination

Cats with diabetes drink a lot and pee more than usual⁷. Their kidneys struggle to filter all the sugar from their blood⁷. This problem affects mostly middle-aged, male, obese indoor cats⁷.

Over time, uncontrolled diabetes may harm nerves. This can make cats walk oddly on their hind legs⁷. Watching for changes in weight, appetite, water intake, and litter box habits helps spot diabetes early⁷.

“Diabetes causes many signs in cats, such as thirst, weight loss, and nerve issues. Finding it early and treating it well can make diabetic cats enjoy a good life.”

Diagnosing Diabetes in Cats

Diagnosing diabetes in cats needs a careful look by a vet. Finding sugar in the cat’s urine, plus some signs, usually shows diabetes⁸. This health issue is more common in cats that are middle-aged or older⁸. Usually, their blood tests look normal⁸.

Feline diabetes can be hard to diagnose because stress can raise blood sugar levels, making it tricky⁸. These cats are also more likely to get urinary infections⁸. Vets might do more tests like fructosamine testing. This test looks at blood sugar over a couple of weeks to confirm the diagnosis⁸.

Fructosamine tests are key when one blood sugar test isn’t enough to diagnose diabetes⁸. Vets also check for other health problems that might look like diabetes⁸.

Keeping a close eye on blood sugar is very important for cats on insulin. At first, daily checks are best⁸. Watching their urine for glucose and ketones can show if the insulin is working well⁸.

“The early diagnosis of diabetes in cats is common when owners notice increased drinking and urination and weight loss in their pets.”⁹

Treatment Options for Feline Diabetes

The main goals in treating feline diabetes are to bring back proper blood sugar levels. This helps stop weight loss and avoid low blood sugar due to treatment. Usually, both insulin and special diets are used to handle this disease. Yet, there are new oral medicines that some cats can use now.

The FDA agreed to two new medicines for cats’ diabetes, Bexacat and Senvelgo, not long ago¹⁰. These are SGLT2 inhibitors and need to taken just once a day. They are a new way to manage sugar levels without any shots. Many cats with diabetes could find these new drugs helpful.

Up until now, insulin shots were the top choice for managing feline diabetes. Now, there’s a new potential for treatment with these easy-to-take medicines. Diabetes is often found in older cats and other health issues might be there, too. Keep an eye out for signs like lots of drinking, eating, and weight loss.

Diet, oral drugs, and insulin may be part of a cat’s diabetes care. However, not all cats can take these new medicines because of side effects. Conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis mean some cats can’t use these drugs.

Staying alert and getting help fast is key when using Bexacat and Senvelgo. They could lead to serious conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis or pancreatitis. These are critical but rare things to watch for.

Around 80% of cats with diabetes mellitus saw better sugar control with Bexacat. But, there’s a slight risk of bad reactions like diabetic ketoacidosis. This is good news, with a bit of caution.

Bexacat is given once a day to cats over 6.6 pounds as tasty tablets. It’s the first of its kind drug for animals approved by the FDA. Increvet Inc., in Boston, made it happen¹¹.

Back to insulin, it’s still crucial for treating feline diabetes. Glargine insulin has been very good, especially for remission. But, many cats that get better will need insulin again after some time.

To manage diabetes well, sticking to insulin and a diet low in carbs is important. Starting insulin early increases the chance of remission. Keeping sugar levels stable is the main target here¹².

While some insulins have shown good results, more tests are needed. This is to tell which insulin is best for treating diabetes in cats¹²¹⁰¹¹.

Insulin Therapy for Cats

Insulin therapy is crucial for treating feline diabetes. Many insulin types are available for treatment, each with unique uses and benefits¹³.

Types of Insulin Preparations

Certain types of insulin work well for cats. These include lente, glargine, PZI, and detemir insulin¹³. They differ in how long they work. Lente insulin lasts 8-10 hours. Glargine and PZI last about 12-24 hours, as does detemir insulin¹³.

For insulin therapy, cats may start with 0.25-0.5 U/kg twice daily. The dose can be around 0.11-0.23 U/lb twice daily¹³. Doses may vary with the type of insulin used. For instance, glargine insulin might be given at about 2.5 U/cat twice daily for maintenance¹³.

Administering Insulin Injections

Insulin is usually injected under the skin every 12 hours. Cat owners can learn quickly how to do this at home. It makes treatment easy and doable for many¹³.

Keeping a close eye on how your cat reacts to insulin is key. The aim is to keep their blood sugar between 80-220 mg/dl¹³. Your vet may need to fine-tune the dose to hit these targets and prevent low blood sugar¹³.

There’s U-40 and U-100 insulin syringes, each for a specific insulin type¹⁴. It’s vital to use the right type for the insulin and to safely throw away used syringes¹⁴.

Apart from syringes, there are insulin pens available. They make injecting insulin easier with a push-button design¹⁴. You can get them as disposable or reusable pens, based on your preference¹⁴.

No matter the method, always change where you inject the insulin. This helps avoid skin issues like scarring or lumps¹⁴.

“Proper insulin therapy, combined with a low-carbohydrate diet and regular monitoring, can be highly effective in managing feline diabetes and improving the quality of life for affected cats.”

Dietary Management

Controlling diabetes in cats is key through dietary management. A diet low in carbs is great for improving their blood sugar levels. There are special diets for diabetic cats that come in wet and dry forms. Wet food diets are often better for these cats¹⁵.

For overweight diabetic cats, losing weight slowly and under a vet’s care is important. How dense their food is with calories matters a lot. Canned food is usually better for them than dry food¹⁵.

When to feed diabetic cats isn’t set in stone. Some vets say to feed them when they get their insulin. Others think letting them eat as they like with a low-carb diet is okay¹⁶. Giving them 3-4 meals a day or feeding them twice a day with their insulin is a good plan¹⁷.

Talking with a vet is key for finding the best diet for your cat. This is especially true considering their unique needs and any other health issues they might have¹⁶. Combining the right diet with insulin therapy is crucial for their health¹⁷.

“A low carbohydrate/high protein approach is recommended for most diabetic cats.”¹⁷

• Fiber helps slow down how the body absorbs sugar for diabetic cats¹⁶.
• Protein is crucial in a diabetic cat’s diet, but the amount needed can vary¹⁶.
• Diets low in carbs might help diabetic cats control their blood sugar even better¹⁶.

Always talk to your vet about treats for your diabetic cat. Cats that get better might not need insulin but still need a strict diet to stay healthy and avoid diabetes coming back¹⁶¹⁵¹⁷.

Oral Medications for Feline Diabetes

In 2023, new oral meds for feline diabetes got the green light¹⁸. These include Bexacat (bexagliflozin tablets) and Senvelgo (velagliflozin oral solution). They work by making the kidneys remove more sugar, lowering blood sugar levels. They’re okay for fresh diabetic cats that were otherwise fine and didn’t need insulin shots before¹⁸. But, these drugs need a careful eye from your vet due to possible risks.

About 30% of diabetic cats aren’t treated because the old ways are hard¹⁹. This disease is mostly type II in cats¹⁸. If a cat’s starting diabetes, these tabs might really help. But, if they can’t make insulin, they’ll need shots and not these tabs¹⁸.

SENVELGO® is liquid and a daily, sweet solution for diabetic cats²⁰. Sadly, up to 30% of them go without treatment. And, 1 in 3 might not make it past a year. But, SENVELGO® makes treating easier and says bye to shots²⁰.

Keep a close eye on ketones in cat’s blood with these tabs¹⁸. Vets will want to check them often at first, then pretty much monthly with visits every few months. Watch for bad signs like diarrhea, weight loss, or higher ketone levels. If you see these, it might be back to insulin¹⁸.

A sick cat might not handle these tabs well and could have hidden bad stuff going on. SENVELGO® can really help manage diabetes in cats, within just a week²⁰. It’s a liquid, which cats and their owners seem to like more. In a study, more than half preferred liquid for meds, and nearly 80% said their cat hates pills¹⁹. Stop by your vet for SENVELGO® in the U.S. from mid-October and maybe elsewhere soon²⁰.

“SENVELGO oral solution for feline diabetes is a convenient therapeutic product that aims to help diabetic cats maintain a normal life, providing a new treatment option for pet owners.”

Insulin for Cats

Feline diabetes is complex and needs careful handling. Insulin is a key part of treating it. For cats, different insulins vary in cost, how long they work, and their strength²¹.

Vets often use insulins like Vetsulin and ProZinc for cats. These differ in when they start working, when they work the most, and how long they work. This affects how much and how often the insulin is given to control blood sugar well²¹.

Choosing the right insulin means considering the cat’s health, how it reacts to the insulin, and the cost. Giving insulin right and checking the cat’s blood sugar closely is key for the treatment to work and be safe²¹.

Insulin costs vary, depending on the type and how much you need. Mostly, longer-acting insulins are pricier than shorter ones. It’s important to think about what your cat needs and what you can afford²¹.

Lately, there have been new ways to handle feline diabetes. These include pills, special diets, and devices that help track blood sugar 24/7. There are even gels you can put on the cat’s skin to give insulin²². While insulin is still a key part, these new ways can make caring for diabetic cats easier. They can also make life better for the cats²².

“Personalized assessment by a veterinarian is key to tailoring the most effective diabetes management strategy for each individual cat.”²²

Choosing and giving insulin to cats with diabetes is a team effort. Vets and owners work together. Knowing about different insulin types helps. So does keeping up with new treatment options. This care improves the cat’s sugar levels and its health overall²¹²³²².

Monitoring and Adjusting Treatment

To manage feline diabetes well, keep a close eye on your cat’s health. Pay attention to its weight, how much it drinks, eats, and its blood sugar. Doing this helps your vet find the right insulin amount. It also helps avoid low blood sugar and out-of-control diabetes²⁴.

Blood Glucose Curves

Blood glucose curves show how well a cat’s diabetes is controlled. Yet, being at the vet can make a cat nervous, affecting test results²⁵. Owners can learn to do these tests at home, getting better, more accurate results. This is because the cat is more relaxed at home than at the vet²⁵.

It’s best to check your cat every 3-4 months. This is because the amount of insulin it needs can change over time²⁶. Blood glucose curves help in many ways. They help find the best insulin dose, spot low blood sugar, adjust when the cat is getting better, and see if the diabetes is under control²⁶.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring

Using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is becoming more common for diabetic cats. The FreeStyle Libre is a popular choice. It doesn’t need to be checked against blood sugar and can work for up to 14 days²⁵. Studies have found it agrees well with traditional blood glucose tests²⁵. CGM is great for cats that are getting better, those in a bad state because of their diabetes, or when vet visits stress them out²⁵.

There can be problems like the sensor not staying on, which happens in about 15% of cases²⁵. But, the FreeStyle Libre is still very useful. It’s good for checking how well insulin is working in cats just diagnosed with diabetes²⁵²⁴²⁶.

Conclusion

Diabetes in cats is a grave issue that needs consistent care but can be managed well. Many diabetic cats live happily with the right care. This includes insulin, special food, and keeping an eye on their health. New medicine by mouth might help some cats too²⁷.

When it comes to managing diabetes, a few things are vital. Using long-acting insulins like glargine is better for the cat’s blood sugar levels and helps more cats get better²⁸. A specific diet helps too, aiming for low carbs and fiber²⁸. It’s also important to keep your cat at a good weight and active. This can make their body’s response to insulin better and lower the diabetes risk.

Looking after a cat with diabetes does take some extra work, but the joy of seeing them well is worth it. Working together with your vet makes sure your cat’s health is on track²⁷. With the correct care, diabetic cats can have a long and happy life. This means a lot for their families, who love the bond they share.

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