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PREVENTING
OBESITY MAY REDUCE RISK OF DIABETES IN FELINES
MANHATTAN
-- When it comes to reducing the risk of diabetes, what's good for
the goose is good for the gander. Or in this case, what's good for
the cat owner is also good for the cat. What's good for both is
exercise and a proper diet, according to a Kansas State University
veterinarian.
Just
as in people, the disease in cats -- diabetes mellitus -- is characterized
by an impaired tolerance of carbohydrates, proteins and fat -- either
because of an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin, said Kenneth
Harkin, assistant professor of clinical sciences at K-State's College
of Veterinary Medicine.
While
Harkin doubts that there is any single mechanism that can avert
diabetes, preventing obesity is "a good idea for any pet" and worth
a pound of cure.
In
some instances cats afflicted with diabetes are often obese. Harkin
said obesity induces both a resistance to the actions of insulin
and inhibits its release.
"If
you get the cats to lose weight they will sometimes actually lose
their requirement for insulin," Harkin said.
For
the obese cat stricken with diabetes, one method of treatment Harkin
prescribes is a diet high in fiber as opposed to one that includes
semi-moist food. Many of these semi-moist foods contain high amounts
of propylene glycol and other simple sugars that can make regulation
of diabetes difficult.
The
high-fiber diet will smooth out the feline's glucose control, but
Harkin cautions that adhering to a high-fiber diet ahead of time
will not prevent the onset of feline diabetes.
Harkin
said exercise is also an important component in the treatment of
diabetic cats.
"A
lot of people don't realize in their diabetic cats, especially obese
cats, that exercise will help get the weight off, which will in
turn improve their insulin response," Harkin said.
Harkin
admits that it is easy to put a dog on a leash to walk around the
block, but when it comes to putting a leash on a cat, they are often
less than cooperative.
"Whether
it is using a feather on a fishing line and having the cat chase
it around the house or using one of those cat dancer toys from the
pet store, you have to actively get your cat to play," Harkin said.
I had one client who would take her cat to the end of the driveway
and the cat would run back to the front door. She would do that
for 15 minutes twice a day so the cat would get some exercise."
Diet
and exercise alone are not the only strategies employed for the
treatment of feline mellitus. Many cats must receive daily injections
of insulin to control of their diabetes. Harkin said there are five
types of insulin available to control feline diabetes, compared
to approximately 37 different types years ago.
According
to Harkin, diabetes in cats is often more difficult to manage than
it is in dogs.
"For
some people cats are easier pets to take care of in terms of maintenance,"
Harkin said. "It's more difficult to give a cat insulin twice a
day and to make sure you're feeding it at specified times during
the day as opposed to dogs."
He
emphasizes that feline diabetes is a very treatable disease but
it must be treated for a lifetime in most cats.
"Cats
don't have to be difficult to control," Harkin said. "And they don't
have to take a lot of their owners' time. Owners certainly have
to be there to inject the insulin once or twice a day, but for most
treating a diabetic cat can be very rewarding and not excruciatingly
time consuming."
"People
with diabetic cats and dogs need to realize that their treatment
is a commitment in terms of seeing their veterinarian and establishing
regular appointments to make sure the treatment is going well."
-30-
Information
provided by veterinarians at Kansas State University.
Prepared
by Keener A Tippin II.
November
1998
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