Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an emergency.
DKA develops due to:
* Long standing undiagnosed diabetes mellitus
* Insufficient insulin dose in treated diabetics
* Reduced insulin action - caused by obesity , concurrent illness or drugs. This is the cause of more than two-thirds of cases of DKA.
What causes DKA?
Due to a lack of insulin , glucose cannot be used by the body cells as an energy source. Instead fat is broken down to provide energy.
When fat is used as an energy source, acids known as ketones are produced. Ketones circulating in the blood cause signs of DKA - anorexia, nausea and lethargy.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of DKA is based on detecting ketones in the urine and sometimes in the blood along with signs of illness.
Treatment
DKA is an emergency and treatment must be started as soon as possible.
Your veterinary surgeon will administer intravenous fluids and insulin and correct any underlying disorders to stabilise your cat. Once your cat is stabilised it will be started on long term insulin therapy again.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Hypoglycaemia in treated diabetic cats
One of the most important complications seen in diabetic cats on insulin treatment is an unduly low blood glucose level, called hypoglycaemia.
Situations that may lead to hypoglycaemia are:
1. Your cat receives the normal dose of insulin but for some reason has not eaten its normal quantity of food (or has vomited).
2. Your cat is abnormally active, leading to abnormally high energy (glucose) use.
3. Your cat receives a dose of insulin that is too high.
Signs of low blood glucose
Low blood glucose can be fatal, so it is extremely important that you recognize these signs, which are often subtle in the early stages:
* restlessness
* trembling or shivering
* unusual movements or behaviour - some animals become very quiet and stop eating.
* muscle twitching
* coma
What to do
If any of the above signs are present, you will have to react quickly.
1. Provide food immediately.
2. If your cat refuses to eat, administer a glucose solution immediately. This solution can be made from glucose powder and tap water. One gram of glucose per kilogram body weight should be given (approximately 1 teaspoon for the average cat).
3. Give the solution carefully into the cheek pouch using a syringe. Only do this if you are sure that your pet can swallow. Dose very slowly to avoid choking.
4. If your pet is unable to swallow, rub the glucose powder into the gums (especially under the tongue). BE CAREFUL THAT YOU ARE NOT BITTEN.
5. As soon as recovery is evident, give food. Then keep an eye on your cat for several hours to ensure that signs do not return.
6. If your cat's condition worsens (muscle twitching, unconsciousness) or you are unsure, call your veterinary surgeon immediately.
Situations that may lead to hypoglycaemia are:
1. Your cat receives the normal dose of insulin but for some reason has not eaten its normal quantity of food (or has vomited).
2. Your cat is abnormally active, leading to abnormally high energy (glucose) use.
3. Your cat receives a dose of insulin that is too high.
Signs of low blood glucose
Low blood glucose can be fatal, so it is extremely important that you recognize these signs, which are often subtle in the early stages:
* restlessness
* trembling or shivering
* unusual movements or behaviour - some animals become very quiet and stop eating.
* muscle twitching
* coma
What to do
If any of the above signs are present, you will have to react quickly.
1. Provide food immediately.
2. If your cat refuses to eat, administer a glucose solution immediately. This solution can be made from glucose powder and tap water. One gram of glucose per kilogram body weight should be given (approximately 1 teaspoon for the average cat).
3. Give the solution carefully into the cheek pouch using a syringe. Only do this if you are sure that your pet can swallow. Dose very slowly to avoid choking.
4. If your pet is unable to swallow, rub the glucose powder into the gums (especially under the tongue). BE CAREFUL THAT YOU ARE NOT BITTEN.
5. As soon as recovery is evident, give food. Then keep an eye on your cat for several hours to ensure that signs do not return.
6. If your cat's condition worsens (muscle twitching, unconsciousness) or you are unsure, call your veterinary surgeon immediately.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Caninsulin - Treatment of feline diabetes
Caninsulin - Treatment of feline diabetes
* Caninsulin is specially formulated for the treatment of canine and feline diabetes in dogs and cats.
* Caninsulin contains porcine insulin which is identical in structure to canine insulin and similar in structure to feline insulin.
* Caninsulin has a strength of 40 IU/ml meaning small dose volumes can be measured fairly easily and accurately. Human insulin preparations have a strength of 100 IU/ml.
* Special 40 IU/ml syringes are available for accurate measurment of Caninsulin doses.
* Caninsulin is available in 2.5 ml or 10 ml vials.
All sizes of pets are taken into consideration. If you own a diabetic cat or small dog you do not have to keep using the same vial month after month.
* Caninsulin is a veterinary product - it is specifically tailored for use in dogs and cats, unlike human insulin preparations.
* Caninsulin is specially formulated for the treatment of canine and feline diabetes in dogs and cats.
* Caninsulin contains porcine insulin which is identical in structure to canine insulin and similar in structure to feline insulin.
* Caninsulin has a strength of 40 IU/ml meaning small dose volumes can be measured fairly easily and accurately. Human insulin preparations have a strength of 100 IU/ml.
* Special 40 IU/ml syringes are available for accurate measurment of Caninsulin doses.
* Caninsulin is available in 2.5 ml or 10 ml vials.
All sizes of pets are taken into consideration. If you own a diabetic cat or small dog you do not have to keep using the same vial month after month.
* Caninsulin is a veterinary product - it is specifically tailored for use in dogs and cats, unlike human insulin preparations.
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