This form of diabetes is caused not so much by an "altered production of" insulin by pancreatic cells, as by an "altered function of the cell receptors that allow the cell itself to bind the insulin to ensure that it does its job ( in this case we speak of "insulin resistance").
In simpler words: the insulin is produced by the cat, but its cells cannot use it.
(cause) of diabetes in cats is multifactorial. It includes diseases such as: chronic inflammation, hyperthyroidism (increased thyroid function), hyperadrenocorticism (increased adrenal function), pancreatitis and is closely related to obesity.
The most interesting clinical feature of diabetes mellitus in cats, compared to what occurs in dogs, is its reversible or potentially transient nature (although in the long run it can still lead to a loss of β-cell function).
Generally speaking, diabetes mellitus has been found to occur in older, neutered male cats (probably due to the fact that they are more likely to gain weight and become obese).
);Other symptoms can be: weakness, fatigue, dry coat, lethargy (tiredness) and less care of one's coat.
and glycosuria. they usually retain some functionality in secreting insulin, hyperglycemia tends to be quite moderate, ketoacidosis rare and the need for variable insulin therapy.
Medicines
In the treatment of cat diabetes mellitus, oral hypoglycemic agents are the first choice drugs.
These drugs have the ability to: stimulate the production of insulin by the pancreas, increase the sensitivity of tissue receptors to insulin, as well as their number; to decrease the postprandial (after meal) absorption of glucose and to inhibit its production by the liver.
Although, in most cases, diabetes in cats is non-insulin-dependent, it is still possible, if the veterinarian deems it useful, to use insulin as an initial therapeutic approach.
Diet and Exercise
As for the dog, even in the diabetic cat, drug therapy should be accompanied by adequate dietary therapy, aimed at improving glycemic control and preventing or treating obesity.
In this regard, on the market you can find numerous cat feeds developed for those animals that have special dietary needs (such as weight control).
Last but not least, the prevention and / or early treatment of concomitant pathologies that may arise (of a neoplastic, infectious or inflammatory nature) is fundamental; with the aim of optimizing the therapy against diabetes mellitus, which in some cases in cats will also lead to recovery.
