I am caring for a neighbor lady's cat. In a nutshell, she and I are civil, but our cats are buds which is the only reason I am doing it. Over the past few days I have become concerned that the cat might be diabetic. I don't know who the cat's vet is, if any (she's on a limited budget and got the $5 rabies shots the Firehouse gives). My regular vet, I just found out, had a stroke and is closing his practice. The other vet I use feels he is not the best for this (he caters more to livestock) and only has office hours two days a week. The nearest small-animal vet is a considerable drive, I used her once, don't like her, but my choices are limited. And, as the limited-income lady is heavily sedated (and will be for some time) after stint surgery, any vet visit is going to be on my dime, as I have to approach this as if I will never be reimbursed. I am stretched pretty thin right now, and want to know what I will be dealing with should I decide to have the cat tested with this or some other vet. Now, before I get to the cat symptoms, this cat suffered what was believed to be an idiopathic vestibular episode that many cats suffer from in late summer. So, it is possible some of the symptoms might relate to that, and I have annotated those that might be residual from this. However, I am beginning to wonder whether or not the issue was vestibular, but instead a diabetic episode (from what I recall, it took about 3 weeks for the cat to recover, however maintained a little imbalance). The cat is male, neutered, a dense dsh, 16 years old. Diet (as best I can tell from her pantry and what she has told me) is primarily Friskies dry and the occasional wet food. I found 2 Special Kitty, a 4-pack of 9-Lives Tuna, and 2 cans of Friskies Turkey and Giblets...(yeah, you don't need to tell me those are crap, but I guess that is the best she could afford, Suzy said charitably ) Worrysome symptoms (which I have spent the entire exhaustively researching, but I want to hear from real people): * Cat has gained weight (but, has been indoors only since vestibular problem, ergo, getting less exercise and probably eating more). I'd say the cat had gained 3-4 pounds since I say him last August, and has lost about 1/2-1 pound since being with me. I have, however, after transition, been feeding him primarily wet canned (Innova) with a little of my home-made cooked. I have given him very little dry, and what dry I did is Chicken Soup (again transitioned). * Cat is drinking and peeing like there is no tomorrow. I mean buckets. * In the past couple of days the appetite has been what I would consider less than normal. I have stopped with the dry altogether. * Oddness in walking -- hind end seems a little weak, has trouble jumping up (relying on front paws to actually pull himself up), walks with back humped, tail sort of up and bent, seems to walk with hocks down a little (not totally on hocks, but back legs are not totally straight). This could be a residual effect of the vestibular problem, or not. * Oddness in one eye -- the cats eyes used to both reflect yellow, the left one is now reflecting red. Vestibular or diabetic issue? * Urine has become less ammonia pungent * Seems a little more lethargic and a bit less interactive, vocal, and affectionate over the past couple of days (yes, could be missing home, but this cat used to consider my house his second home). I can't discern any sweet or fruity smell on the breath -- the cat does have some dental issues, and that is all I can smell. Urine doesn't seem to smell sweet or fruity, but I have noticed the pungency has gone down -- this could possibly be a result of a better quality food I have been feeding him. For those of you whose cats have been diagnosed with diabetes, how do these symptoms compare with your cat's? Is there anything else I should be looking for to give me clues? In a separate post, I am going to ask for dietary advice, as what I have found is so conflicting. Thank you so much for your time.
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Hi, This is a very good question. Although some of the symptoms you've described are similar to those caused by Diabetes, I would not be 100% sure until a vet examines him. Diabetes, in general causes weight loss besides increased appetite, thirst and urination. Since the resources here are low, you might want to switch him, just in case, to a diet higher in fiber. You can even add more fiber to your home made diet (by the way, thank you for responding my BARF question. My cats are doing just wonderful and you have certainly motivated me). Diabetic kitties require more fiber added to their diet. So, yes, some of the symptoms you describe can be linked to Diabetes but they can also be linked to the beginning of renal failure. I am so, so sorry about this little fella. Good job for taking care of him. Keep us posted!
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