Most diabetic cats are older than 10 years of age when they are diagnosed. However, diabetes mellitus can be diagnosed at any age. Male cats are diagnosed more frequently than females, and all breeds can be affected. Obesity and the use of medications including steroids and progesterone derivatives are risk factors for the development of diabetes in cats.
Often suspected because of the presence of the classic signs of increased thirst, more frequent urination, and a greater appetite, diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine diseases in cats. There are two types of diabetes mellitus in cats. The more common form, type I, or insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, is characterized by a lack of adequate insulin secretion by the pancreas and usually requires insulin injections for treatment.
Type II diabetes mellitus is characterized by resistance to the normal activity of insulin in body tissues, or abnormalities in insulin secretion by the pancreas. Its development may be influenced by the presence of complicating factors such as obesity, concurrent disease, or medications that interfere with insulin's activity. Type II diabetics may not require insulin for treatment initially, but will often eventually develop the need for insulin seen in type I diabetics.
In addition, transient diabetes mellitus can occur in cats. Unlike permanently diabetic cats, transient diabetics may require treatment only for a brief period of time. Transient diabetes can also be seen in overweight cats, cats with additional diseases, or cats on medications that interfere with insulin activity. Some transient diabetics eventually require treatment for permanent diabetes.
Diabetic cats frequently have concurrent diseases at the time of diagnosis, or develop other conditions during treatment that are common in older cats. These conditions can influence the ability to control diabetes and its degree of regulation. Since most cats are older than 10 years of age at the time of diagnosis, the majority of diabetic cats do not live an extended period of time. Many cats diagnosed with diabetes mellitus at a younger age that are able to be controlled with relative ease can live an extended period of time with a good quality of life
