Is Your Cat In A Diabetic Coma?
Cats with diabetes need continuous care. Unlike diabetic humans who can check their own blood sugar levels, cats rely on their owners to properly monitor what's happening in their pancreas. That twice-daily dosage of insulin given under his skin may require adjustment, depending on a variety of factors. You can keep your diabetic cat on track by knowing what's going on, and what to expect, particularly in the case of a diabetic coma. How common is feline diabetes? Some estimates suggest that one out of 1,200 cats will develop diabetes in their lifetimes, although this disease most often afflicts older or overweight cats. A diabetic cat suffers a deficiency of insulin, the pancreatic hormone that converts glucose, the fuel we get from food, into energy. A diabetic cat's body either cannot produce enough insulin, or cannot process it correctly. Without insulin controlling the flow of glucose from the cat's bloodstream into its body cells, the cat's body uses its own fat and protein to survive. High blood glucose levels force glucose to be processed into the urine, leading to excessive urination. Most cats contract an insulin-dependent type of diabetes, requiring insulin injections to control their illness. Felines suffering non-insulin-dependent diabetes will eventually need insulin injections as the disease progresses. Signs of diabetes An early warning of feline diabetes is frequent urination. A diabetic cat may also urinate, or attempt to do so, outside of his litter box. You may see him straining to urinate, a symptom of a urinary tract infection common to diabetic felines. He'll consume larger amounts of water, and return to his water bowl more often, because his glucose-heavy urine passes more water from his system. His appetite may change, too, as he either loses i Continue reading >>
Signs And Symptoms Of Dying With Renal Failure
The signs and symptoms of dying from renal failure can be recognized with some understanding of what happens in the body as the kidneys fail. The kidneys eliminate toxins as well as manage fluid balance and blood salts, called electrolytes. Chronic kidney disease is the term used when the kidneys are no longer functioning properly. This decrease in kidney function happens on a continuum. Typically, renal failure refers to the time when kidney function is so diminished that it cannot sustain life long-term. Left untreated, renal failure will result in death. It is important to remember that many of the signs and symptoms of renal failure are not specific to renal failure and can occur in other diseases. Video of the Day The most common symptom of dying from renal failure is fatigue. This results from the buildup of toxins in the body. Fatigue becomes more pronounced with time and is often the easiest symptom to recognize. In the end, an individual dying of renal failure will sleep often and may be difficult to wake up. Other common symptoms of active dying, related to the buildup of toxins, include: -- Restlessness. -- Confusion. -- Irritability or agitation. -- Poor appetite. -- Nausea and vomiting. -- Itchiness. Signs and Symptoms of Fluid Buildup Another common indicator of dying from renal failure is fluid buildup in the body. Often this begins as swelling in the feet and ankles, and moves up the legs. Fluid can also build up in areas of the body that cannot be seen from the outside. Fluid can collect in the lungs, around the heart and within the abdomen. The only indication that this is happening may be difficulty breathing. It may be harder for the person to walk, lie down flat or talk due to shortness of breath. Pain may also be present when someone is dying from Continue reading >>
The Signs, Diagnosis & Types Of Diabetes Mellitus In Cats
There are certain signs or symptoms which are commonly seen in cats with diabetes mellitus. Unfortunately, these signs also occur in other diseases and conditions. Therefore, laboratory tests are necessary to diagnose diabetes mellitus in cats. The following article includes a discussion of how this diagnosis is made and the types of diabetes found in cats. What are the signs of diabetes mellitus in cats and why do they occur? Depending on how severely insulin production is impaired, there may be few signs of disease, or the signs may be severe. Dogs with diabetes often develop cataracts; cats do not. The most common signs of diabetes are: Increased thirst (polydipsia) and urination (polyuria) Change in appetite Weight loss Change in gait (walking) Decreased activity, weakness, depression Vomiting Increased Thirst and Urination: Because the glucose cannot enter the cells, the glucose levels in the blood become abnormally high (hyperglycemia). The glucose is filtered out by the kidneys and is found in the urine (glucosuria). When it is filtered out, it carries water with it. The animal, then, is losing more water through the urine than normal and has to make up for it by drinking more. Inappropriate Elimination: The increased urination may result in the cat not always urinating in the litter box. This inappropriate urination may be one of the first signs of diabetes in cats. In addition, cats with diabetes can often develop urinary tract infections, which may also result in inappropriate elimination. Change in Appetite: Some diabetic cats eat less, because frankly, they do not feel well. Other cats may have voracious appetites and eat a lot (polyphagia) because their hypothalamus keeps telling them they are hungry. Weight Loss: Because the cat cannot use the calories he Continue reading >>
My Wife Died From Diabetes In Her Sleep Aged Just 41 While We Were Celebrating Our Wedding Anniversary
When his wife Louise died in her sleep, aged just 41, while they were on holiday celebrating their wedding anniversary, Stephen Reeves’ life plans were shattered. Although Louise had lived with type 1 diabetes since she was 16, former Everton goalkeeper Steve believed they had everything to look forward to. “It never defined her as a person, she never complained about it, she just got on with everything and battled through,” he told the Liverpool ECHO. “She managed her diabetes exceptionally well, she was very shrewd about her condition and we were looking to have children.” The couple met when 40-year-old Stephen, who played for the Everton in the 1990s, went to Liverpool Tennis Tournament with a friend who was working on the event. “Louise was there with her uncle who was a tennis trainer, we fell in love straight away and we’d both reached a point in our lives where we knew what we wanted,” he recalls. Louise had been mentoring students at Liverpool College for 11 years, while Stephen - having been forced to retire from football through injury in his late 20s - was working in finance with Lloyds Bank. The couple married a year after meeting, in the summer of 2012, and Louise never allowed their lives to be dominated by her diabetes. “Because of it she had something called autonomic neuropathy which affected the nerves in her body, so it did restrict her walking and her diet, but she understood it. She said to me on more than one occasion ‘you know I’ll probably die before you’ and I’d say ‘don’t be stupid’ but we didn’t dwell on it.” Stephen isn’t certain whether or not Louise knew just how serious or how sudden the impact of her neuropathy could be. But it took her life in July last year, when they couple were on holiday in Mexi Continue reading >>
What's It Like: To Suffer A Diabetic Coma
What is a diabetic coma? One of the risks associated with diabetes is what's known as a diabetic coma. A person with diabetes might suffer from a diabetic coma if his or her blood sugar levels get too high, a condition known as hyperglycemia, or go too low, which is referred to as hypoglycemia. A diabetic coma can result because of complications related to either. Diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body's ability to produce and/or use insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form in Oklahoma, which has consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally for the prevalence of diabetes in the state. About 305,000 adults in Oklahoma have been diagnosed with diabetes. Oklahoma has one of the highest diabetes death rates in the nation, and it's the sixth leading cause of death in Oklahoma. How is it treated? A hyperglycemic hyperosmolar coma — a result of extremely high blood sugar — is a medical emergency. This is more common in people who have type 2 diabetes than type 1 diabetes patients. When blood sugar gets too high, it draws fluid from the inside of brain cells, and you suffer from brain dysfunction. To help pull the person out of the coma, medical professionals will give that person fluids and insulin. Symptoms of hyperglycemia include decreasing levels of consciousness, frequent bathroom trips and extreme thirst. Sometimes hyperglycemia can be brought on by another condition or illness, such as urinary tract infections or pneumonia. Meanwhile, a person suffering from a coma because of low blood sugar might have a faster turnaround time. Usually, these people notice symptoms related to hypoglycemia and then ingest glucose. Early symptoms for hypoglycemia include an increased heart rate, chest pal Continue reading >>
Early Death Warning As Diabetes Crisis Worsens
The National Diabetes Audit, which covers England and Wales, found diabetics have a 73 per cent greater risk of being admitted to hospital for heart failure compared with the rest of the population. The review of more than two million with the condition found 28 per cent of admissions to hospital for heart failure were among diabetes sufferers. These patients were also found to have more than quadruple the odds of dying in the following year. The risk of premature death among people with diabetes was also much higher – with 24,900 more deaths in 2012 than would normally be expected. Among people with Type 1 diabetes, which usually develops in childhood, 3,300 died in 2012, compared to the 1,440 expected among the same number of the general population. This means people suffering with Type 1 diabetes have a 129 per cent increased risk of death, according to the audit. Of those with Type 2, which is largely avoidable and linked to unhealthy lifestyles and obesity, 70,900 died in 2012. Among the same number of the general population the figure would be estimated at 52,800. This gives a 34 per cent increased risk of death for people with Type 2 diabetes. The audit is managed by the Health and Social Care Information Centre in partnership with Diabetes UK. Dr Bob Young, clinical lead for the audit and a consultant diabetologist at Salford Royal Hospital, said: “This audit is a wake-up call. Heart failure is preventable and treatable. “Every health professional should take note of how much more common heart failure is among patients with diabetes. “This report shows us that over and above the things we recognised as preventable complications of diabetes – heart attacks and stroke – there is this much greater number of people with heart failure. “If we all lived Continue reading >>
Signs That A Pet May Be Dying
Losing your beloved pet is one of life’s difficulties. Domesticated pets are part of the family, and most pet lovers are in distress when their pet displays signs that something is wrong. You should recognize telltale signs of a dying pet to make the process easier for him. Can Barely Move Dogs and cats often do not move as well when they get older. Your dog might not be able to jump into the car or go upstairs anymore; your cat may become less able to climb onto and jump from her favorite perches. This loss of mobility doesn’t mean your pet is dying -- but if your pet can barely move, it might. Seeks a Quiet Place Dying pets often seek a place of shelter, almost like a den, when death is near. Animals in the wild do this to protect themselves from other animals who might disturb them and cause them more pain. Notice where your pet spends most of his time. If he has found a hiding place where he typically doesn’t go, he might be in pain and be preparing for death. Sadness As a pet owner, you can probably tell when your pet is happy and when something is wrong. One sign that your pet may be dying is that he is not getting enjoyment from any of the things he always has before. When your aged pet no longer finds eating engaging, when he quits wanting to play and be in your presence. Also note if he stops displaying the usual signs of happiness, such as wagging a tail or purring. Incontinence Older pets that may be dying can become incontinent. They might not be able to move from the bed to urinate or defecate in their usual spot. While pooping during sleep or otherwise without moving could mean end of life, it can also be the tradeoff for severe arthritis, which is not life-threatening and can be controlled in numerous ways. Have your incontinent pet sleep on a towel Continue reading >>
The Danger Of Diabetic Shock
One of the most important things diabetics must learn about their disease is the danger of diabetic shock. Sufferers of diabetes 1 and 2 know all-to-well the dangers of excess sugar, but dangerously low levels of blood sugar can affect diabetics just as profoundly. One of those profound effects of low blood sugar is diabetic or insulin shock. If left unrecognized or untreated, its symptoms are severe and may even lead to death. Diabetic Shock: What Causes It? Insulin shock is the direct result of low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) in diabetics — especially those who are receiving treatment with insulin or other diabetes medication. Low blood sugar for a diabetic is anything below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) as red on a blood sugar meter. When blood sugar levels are this low, the body starts to show signs of distress. In diabetics, there can be many reasons why their blood sugar may drop low enough to cause insulin shock. The most common cause of these blood sugar dips is skipped meals. But diabetics may also suffer low blood sugar if they take too much diabetes medication (insulin or pills) or when they exercise in excess of their normal routine. Diabetic Shock: Symptoms Diabetic shock signs may vary from mild to moderate. Mild symptoms often include a shaky or weak feeling that comes on quickly out of nowhere. Sufferers may also experience a racing heart or a tingling feeling in their tongue or fingertips. Or, they may break out in a sweat. More moderate symptoms may also cause neuroglycopenia. These symptoms largely affect the brain. Sufferers may feel anxious, moody or severely depressed for no discernible reason. Their personalities may change abruptly, or their moods may switch from one extreme to the next. Neuroglycopenia may also cause confusion, slu Continue reading >>
10 Signs Of Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes affects 24 million people in the U.S., but only 18 million know they have it. About 90 percent of those people have type 2 diabetes. In diabetes, rising blood sugar acts like a poison. Diabetes is often called the silent killer because of its easy-to-miss symptoms. "Almost every day people come into my office with diabetes who don't know it," says Maria Collazo-Clavell, MD, an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. The best way to pick up on it is to have a blood sugar test. But if you have these symptoms, see your doctor. 15 Celebrities with Type 2 Diabetes Continue reading >>
What Is Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas is no longer able to make insulin, or when the body cannot make good use of the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, that acts like a key to let glucose from the food we eat pass from the blood stream into the cells in the body to produce energy. All carbohydrate foods are broken down into glucose in the blood. Insulin helps glucose get into the cells. Not being able to produce insulin or use it effectively leads to raised glucose levels in the blood (known as hyperglycaemia). Over the long-term high glucose levels are associated with damage to the body and failure of various organs and tissues. Continue reading >>
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Dying Cat – Caring For A Dying Cat & Signs Of Death Approaching
Do cats know they are dying? According to Desmond Morris, cats don’t understand death or know they are dying. Many people think cats must know they are dying because many cats will hide in the days or hours before death. But hiding is quite typical behavior in animals who are sick. A sick animal wants to make himself as inconspicuous as he can to avoid becoming a target to other animals which may see him as an easy target. Predatory animals pick out the young, the old and the weak. So from a self-preservation angle, it makes sense that a sick cat wants to hide. As most of us know, when we feel sick we feel miserable. We are weak, tired and feel unwell, the best thing to do is bunker down somewhere dark and try to rest. It would make sense that cats do this also. Not all dying cats will hide, none of my cats have done so. They have slept more, but always in their usual spots but all of them retreated within themselves with almost no interaction in their final day. This, of course, may be because my cats are also indoors. A cat who is outside and becomes seriously ill (through trauma or disease) may not always have the strength to return home, so will find a quiet hiding spot such as a shed or under a house. There’s a difference between your cat slowly losing his health to progressive diseases such as kidney failure and cancer, which can take months to the very end stage of your cat’s life. Below are signs that your cat is actively dying and is very close to death. Physical signs your cat is dying: No longer eating or drinking A very sick cat loses his appetite. This may be due to feeling extremely unwell, being too tired to eat, less need for food due to inactivity. He may remain thirsty and some will even drink a little. By this time dehydration is usually severe. Continue reading >>
Diabetic Shock: 7 Signs To Watch For
Viewers of ABC’s fitness show, “Extreme Weight Loss,” remember Rod Durham as the 50-year-old teacher from Tallahassee, Fla. with the cherubic smile. They’ll remember that he lost almost 180 pounds during the 2014 season of the show. They may remember his efforts to help others lose weight, too. Unfortunately, he also is remembered as a cautionary tale for friends and loved ones who suffer from diabetes. Durham, 52, died recently of diabetic complications after suffering from diabetic shock and slipping into a coma. Diabetic shock – a state of severe hypoglycemia, or extremely low blood sugar – can be extremely serious among people suffering from diabetes, even those who are closely managing their blood sugar levels. Shock usually happens in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Because their bodies don’t produce enough insulin by themselves, Type 2 diabetics may need several self-administered insulin shots a day, measuring their blood sugar before each shot. They also need to adjust their exercise and eating habits to match their insulin levels. If they miscalculate the amount of insulin needed for a shot or are unable to eat in a timely manner and their insulin may become too high, causing a dangerous drop in blood sugar. That’s diabetic shock. At that point, the diabetes sufferer may not be able to help themselves; they may not be able to recognize anything is wrong. Higher cognitive functions are affected, and they may appear drunk. In severe cases, they may lose consciousness. If they’re alone or unaided, they could fall into a coma. Death may also result. Many seasoned diabetics are aware when their blood sugar is low; however, if those levels are low enough to affect their lucidity, it’s important for others to recognize symptoms. Common signs include Continue reading >>
Insulin Shock: Warning Signs And Treatment Options
What is insulin shock? After taking an insulin shot, a person with diabetes might on occasion forget to eat (or eat less than they normally do). If this happens, they may end up with too much insulin in their blood. This, in turn, can lead to hypoglycemia, also called low blood sugar. A serious condition called insulin shock may occur if a person: ignores mild hypoglycemia takes too much insulin by mistake misses a meal completely does excessive unusual exercise without changing their carbohydrate intake Insulin shock is a diabetic emergency. It involves symptoms that, if left untreated, can lead to diabetic coma, brain damage, and even death. How insulin works When we consume food or beverages that contain carbohydrates, the body converts them into glucose. Glucose is a type of sugar that fuels the body, giving it the energy it needs to perform everyday functions. Insulin is a hormone that works like a key. It opens the door in the body’s cells so they can absorb glucose and use it as fuel. People with diabetes may lack enough insulin or have cells that aren’t able to use insulin as they should. If the cells of the body aren’t able to absorb the glucose properly, it causes excess glucose in blood. This is called high blood glucose, which is linked with a number of health issues. High blood glucose can cause eye and foot problems, heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, and nerve damage. Insulin shots help people with diabetes use glucose more efficiently. Taking an insulin shot before eating helps the body absorb and use glucose from the food. The result is a more balanced and healthy blood sugar level. Usually, it works great. Sometimes, however, things go wrong. What causes insulin shock? Having too much insulin in your blood can lead to having too little gluco Continue reading >>
7 Symptoms To Never Ignore If You Have Diabetes
If you have diabetes watch for these warning signs that something is amiss – and make sure you know how to respond #1. Blurry vision. Vision changes may mean your blood sugar is high, says endocrinologist Alan L. Rubin, MD, author of Diabetes for Dummies, Type 1 Diabetes for Dummies and other health books in the “Dummies” series. “High blood sugar draws more fluid into the lens of the eye, so your vision is less sharp,” he explains. “The first thing to do is to check your blood sugar more frequently and bring it under better control.” Temporary blurriness may also occur when starting insulin. What to do: If problems persist despite good glucose numbers, tell your doctor. Eyesight changes may be caused by an easy-to-fix problem like dry eyes, be a side effect of some medications or even computer eye strain. But it can also be a warning sign of diabetic retinopathy – when tiny blood vessels at the back of the eye swell and leak. It could also be a sign of other vision issues like glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration. All can be treated to prevent further problems. #2. Unusual thirst and feeling extra-tired. High blood sugar is usually the culprit, according to the American Diabetes Association. But don’t shrug it off —letting your numbers drift beyond the healthy range sets you up for complications and could be a sign of a serious condition that needs immediate medical attention. What to do: Check your glucose level now and recheck frequently; make sure you’re following your eating and exercise plan and taking your medication as directed. If you’ve been sick, follow your sick-day plan; illness can make blood sugar rise. Extremely high blood sugar – over 600 mg/dL – can lead to seizures, coma and even death, the ADA warns. This condition Continue reading >>
Type 2 Diabetes Complications
With type 2 diabetes (also called type 2 diabetes mellitus), if you don’t work hard to keep your blood glucose level under control, there are short- and long-term complications to contend with. However, by watching the amount and types of food you eat (your meal plan), exercising, and taking any necessary medications, you may be able to prevent these complications. And even if you have some of the long-term, more serious complications discussed below when you’re first diagnosed, getting tight control of your blood glucose will help prevent the complications from becoming worse. (It is possible with type 2 diabetes to already have some of these complications when you’re first diagnosed. That’s because type 2 develops gradually, and you may not realize that you have high blood glucose for quite some time. Over time, high blood glucose can cause serious damage. You can learn more about that in this article on the symptoms of type 2 diabetes.) Short-term Diabetes Complications Hypoglycemia is low blood glucose (blood sugar). It is possible for your blood glucose to drop, especially if you’re taking insulin or a sulfonylurea drug (those make your body produce insulin throughout the day). With these medications, if you eat less than usual or were more active, your blood glucose may dip too much. Other possible causes of hypoglycemia include certain medications (aspirin, for example, lowers the blood glucose level if you take a dose of more than 81mg) and too much alcohol (alcohol keeps the liver from releasing glucose). Rapid heartbeat Sweating Whiteness of skin Anxiety Numbness in fingers, toes, and lips Sleepiness Confusion Headache Slurred speech Mild cases of hypoglycemia can be treated by drinking orange juice or eating a glucose tablet—those will quickly rai Continue reading >>
