Is there an oral medication for diabetes in cats?

Oral hypoglycemic drugs can be a potential treatment option for affected cats, especially when cats or owners do not tolerate administration of injectable insulin. Several classes of oral hypoglycemic drugs have been evaluated in cats but these drugs have not been commonly used for treatment of diabetic cats.

How do you treat a diabetic cat without insulin?

“Some diabetic cats can be managed on a low-carb food alone, without insulin,” says Koble. ”This is the only ‘natural’ treatment that sometimes works by itself. Many cats need a combination of a low-carb food and insulin.”

Is glipizide safe for cats?

Glipizide is safe and well-tolerated by most cats, and can avoid the use of insulin altogether. However, it should not be used in cats with liver or kidney disease, as this can result in pronounced hypoglycaemia.

How long can a cat with diabetes live without treatment?

For the diabetic cat, one reality exists: blood glucose cannot be normalized without treatment. Although the cats can go a couple of days without treatment and not get into a crisis, treatment should be looked upon as part of the cat’s daily routine.

What is the best insulin for cats?

Protamine Zinc Insulin (PZI) is the best choice for cats. It is gentle, predictable insulin that drops the BG slowly and is Dr. Hodgkin’s preferred insulin when it comes to felines.

What is the treatment for cat with diabetes?

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for cat diabetes. Treatment is focused on managing the illness and typically involves insulin injections. Most diabetic cats require daily insulin injections to manage the illness, which your vet can train you to provide at home.

Is insulin good for cats?

There is no ‘best’ insulin for all cats, but some are preferable to others. Many veterinary internal medicine specialists recommend glargine (Lantus®, made by Sanofi Aventis ) as a first-line choice. Lantus® is a recombinant human insulin which is usually very effective in cats.

How do you give a cat insulin?

Follow your vet’s advice on how to give your cat the insulin. Typically, insulin shots are given in the back, in the skin between the cat’s shoulder blades. Pull on this loose skin so that it pulls up and away from the cat’s body. Insert the syringe at a 45 degree angle, and pull back on the plunger a bit.