What Is It: The same as with humans, diabetes mellitus (DM) is a medical disorder characterized by varying or persistent hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar levels). Miniature breed dogs and overweight pets are more susceptible, but animals can also develop diabetes after treatment with steroids or reproductive hormones, pancreatitis, or infectious viral diseases. Type I diabetes is always insulin dependent (IDDM), while Type II may or may not require insulin injections (NIDDM). Most diabetic dogs have IDDM.
Symptoms: Excessive urination, excessive appetite and thirst, weight loss, lethargy. Depression and vomiting are seen as the disease progresses. Weak rear legs or wobbling is common in cats with diabetes. In dogs, cataracts and blindness can developed suddenly, even when no other signs of the disease are present. Lab tests usually show elevated blood sugar and/or glucose in the urine.
Treatment: Only a handful of cases can be treated with oral insulin-enhancing drugs; most animals require insulin injections. Some cats experience transient DM, where the insulin requirement comes and goes without any logical pattern .
Hyperthyroidism
What Is It: Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common endocrine conditions affecting older cats. It is caused by an increase in production of the thyroid hormone, which controls the body's metabolic rate. Cats suffering from hyperthyroidism burn energy faster than they can consume it, so they tend to lose weight. The disease eventually affects other organs in the animal’s body and can result in high blood pressure, intestinal problems, and renal failure. If the disease is diagnosed early, it can be quite manageable.
Symptoms: Lethargic behavior or hyperactivity,irritability, weight loss, slow heart rate, low body temperature, muscle weakness, elevated cholesterol, hair loss, cold intolerance, frequent ear and skin infections. A simple blood test can determine thyroid function levels. An elevated level of thyroxine (T4) would confirm hyperthyroidism.
Treatment: The most common form of treatment is medication in the form of a Carbimazole tablet, which needs to be administered daily for the rest of the pet’s life. Radioactive iodine therapy is a 95 percent effective cure consisting of a single injection of radioactive iodine. The injection is harmless to cats (only attacks ailing thyroid tissue) but dangerous to humans, so the cats can only be treated in certain hospitals and will have to remain hospitalized for up to 6 weeks following treatment, to make sure radioactive levels decrease.