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Burmese Cats and Diabetes Diabetes is the lack of insulin production or insulin resistance causing persistently high blood glucose (hyperglycaemia). Affected animals show signs such as an increase in drinking and urinating, an increase in appetite and weight loss. Burmese cats in New Zealand have a breed predilection to diabetes, especially, in cats over 8yrs where obesity is a high risk factor. Annual veterinary checks, with weight monitoring are important to diagnose the condition early. Diabetes is a disease in which there is either an insufficient production of insulin, or more commonly in cats, is caused by insulin resistance. Affected cats are approximately 6 times less sensitive to insulin compared to the domestic cat. Insulin is vital for organ survival. It’s produced in the pancreas by a special cell called the ‘β’ Cell (Beta Cell) by the Islet of Langerhans. Its role is like a “key”, where the sugar circulating in the blood from the breakdown of the ingested food is able to pass into the organs. Without such a key, the organs literally starve. Diabetes in cats is akin to Type 2 Diabetes in humans. Causes of diabetes include obesity, infections, pancreatitis and drugs. In New Zealand the frequency of diabetes in Burmese cats is approximately 4 times higher than that of the domestic cat with 1 in 50 Burmese cats affected in comparison to 1 in 200 in the domestic population. Some cats such as the Burmese breed show strong evidence for a genetic component combined with other factors such as obesity and being 8 years and over can increase the chance of developing diabetes. Signs seen with undiagnosed/uncontrolled diabetes include increased thirst and urinating, and weight loss despite a very good appetite. Other diseases can cause very similar signs, so its imperative blood and urine tests, along with a physical exam, are undertaken at your vet. Cats are unique in that stressful situations will cause a temporary rise in blood glucose (hyperglycaemia), so urine and Fructosamine blood tests will aid in the diagnosis of diabetes from stress hyperglycaemia. Once diagnosed, treatment includes daily injections of either Caninsulin or Glargine (best for cats that graze rather than set meal times) in conjunction with a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrate. Stabilisation may take several weeks before they return to within the normal blood glucose range (normoglycemia). Cats also have the ability to go into diabetic remission within the first 1 to 4 months if treated promptly and the underlying condition is corrected. This is because the high blood glucose is toxic to the other surrounding β-cells, but when glucose returns to normal, these cells can regain normal function. As with humans, long term complications associated with uncontrolled diabetes include the formation of cataracts, kidney and nerve damage and bacterial infections.To reduce the risk of our Burmese cats developing diabetes later in life, its is imperative as breeders to educate owners on the importance of keeping their cat within a healthy weight range and encouraging yearly veterinary checks as we know that once over 8 years of age the chance of developing diabetes increases to 1 in 10 Burmese cats. Dr E Purdie |
