Fred is a lovely 16 and a half year old Burmese cat who has Diabetes Mellitus (DM) - this condition means he has a deficiency of insulin and his body has problems with metabolising / breaking down carbohydrates.  As a result his blood sugar level increases which is known as hyperglycaemia (too much sugar in his blood stream).  Daily injections of insulin are given to keep him alive.

Fred was hospitalised for five days so that we could monitor his blood glucose levels and give him the correct dose of insulin

Clinical signs seen in animals with DM depend on how long they have had it.  Initially they are likely to have:

• polydipsia - an increased thirst

• polyuria - an increase in the need to urinate

• polyphagia - an increase in hunger

As the condition advances the animal needs an energy source but cannot utilise glucose and their body breaks down protein and fat to provide energy.

Symptoms are likely to include:

• anorexia - lack of appetite

• weight loss

• vomiting

• diarrhoea

• dehydration

• weakness and lethargy

Treatment for DM requires the patient to be admitted to the ward for stabilisation. This involves taking blood samples to monitor their blood glucose levels and producing a Blood Glucose Curve

A blood sample is taken and then insulin injected under the skin

Further blood samples are taken every 2 - 4 hours and the results of the blood glucose concentration are plotted together with the time of the blood test.        

Fred's owners were shown how to draw up the correct amount of insulin and where to give the daily injections.

He still comes in regularly for monitoring - during a consultation a blood sample is taken and an amendment made to his insulin dose as necessary.

Here Fred can be seen with the fur growing back on both his front legs - the fur was clipped and blood taken from his cephalic veins - during every visit Fred is so good and tolerant although he does seem keen to get back into his cat basket!

January 2008 - Tia-Betsy

February 2008 - Spike

March 2008 - Miss Daisy

April 2008 -  Daisy

May 2008 - Rosie

June 2008 -  Lala

August 2008 - Roly

November 2008 - Magic

December 2008 - Shadow

For the Pet Heroes of 2007 click here