I have lived with two diabetic kitties; one developed it at age 14 (Smokey) and the other at age 11 (Nikko). When Smokey got sick, treatments had not developed to where they are now – there weren’t any prescription diets for diabetes available yet, so he was treated first with oral medication and then later with insulin. Strangely enough, he was one of only 11 individuals on record in the world – and the only cat! – who developed an unusual side effect to a particular type of synthetic insulin, so he ended up needing to take injectible beef & pork insulin. He also got written up in a research journal by the vet. :)

Smokey lived for about three more years after his diagnosis, but he was a rare case where his diabetes was so severe (his sugar got up to the 600-800 range on several occasions) that his body gradually broke down; he died of complications at age 17.

Nikko was treated by the same vet that treated Smokey, and his was a much more standard case of diabetes. After his initial diagnosis, he was prescribed glipizide tablets (ironically enough, the same diabetes medication my dad was taking at the time!) and Hill’s m/d prescription diet formula. He did very well, and was eventually able to go off the medication entirely and just eat the prescription food.

Here’s some really good basic info on the disease from felinediabetes.com:

What is Feline Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus, or “sugar” diabetes, is a common disorder in cats and dogs, caused by the inability of the hormone insulin to properly balance blood sugar (glucose) levels.

Glucose is processed by the body into energy. After food is digested, glucose enters the blood stream – in a healthy body, insulin is then secreted signaling the cells to begin the process of converting the sugars into useable energy. As more food is consumed, more insulin is secreted, and the needed glucose is consumed. The pancreas secretes small amounts of insulin – just enough to ensure blood glucose levels don’t rise too high (hyperglycemia) or fall dangerously low (hypoglycemia).

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, and type 2 when the body’s cells don’t respond well to insulin. Both result in high blood sugar levels because the body is unable to process the available glucose. In the early stages, diabetics may gain weight as appetites increase and their insulin levels rise and fall. However, in spite of maintaining a good appetite, diabetics ultimately lose weight since the body isn’t able to process sugars into energy. Essentially, diabetics begin to starve to death.

Excessive urination is a classic sign of diabetes in pets, and is likely what led to your diagnosis. Diabetic pets that develop hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) will begin passing the excess sugar into their urine (glucosuria). As glucose builds in the urine, the body responds by trying to flush the excess from the kidneys through urination. The condition of excess urination (polyuria, or PU), accompanied by excessive thirst (polydipsia, or PD), are classic signs of diabetes in pets. As you regulate your pet’s diabetes, the PU/PD will become controlled as well.

Although affecting cats of any breed, sex, or age, diabetes mellitus most often occurs in older, obese individuals; males are more commonly afflicted than females. The exact cause of the disease in cats is not known, although genetics, obesity, pancreatic disease, hormonal imbalances, and certain medications are all possible factors.

Signs of Diabetes Mellitus

Polyuria, polydipsia, increased appetite, weight loss, and lethargy are hallmark signs of diabetes in pets. In cats, a disorder called neuropathy that causes weakness in the rear legs is often what led to a diagnosis.

In the earlier stages of the disease, cats remain active and alert with few other signs of disease. However as the disease progresses concurrent conditions often appear, such as poor haircoat, liver disease, and secondary bacterial infections become more common. A dangerous condition called ketoacidosis may develop in some cats, and is discussed elsewhere on this site.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Your veterinarian can determine if your cat is diabetic by checking blood, urine, and clinical signs. You’ll need to build a good working relationship with them to successfully treat the condition together; consider taking our list of vet questions along with you on your visit.

Diabetes is not a death sentence. Diabetes in cats is a treatable disorder. Many cat owners are able to control their cat’s condition for years, and the animals lead normal, happy lives. The treatment generally entails giving insulin injections once or twice a day, though a small number may be controlled through diet and oral medication.