Diabetes is a problem with maintaining normal sugar ranges in the blood. It is pretty much the same in animals as it is in humans in that eventually this disease will target major organs and cause them to fail or become diseased.

The problem really is that your cat cannot tell you in words when they are feeling bad, dizzy, confused or other signs that there is either a high or a low blood sugar level happening. Also it usually takes a trip to the vet to do a spot check on blood sugar levels as most folks don't have the necessary tools in their home to take a blood sample or the test equipment to check the sugar levels. (I am unaware of any glucose meters such as are provided to humans with diabetes on the market for cats, or easy ways to extract an uncontaminated blood sample for testing from feline sufferers of this disease.)

My experience in this field comes from Brigadier Boots, who is a very old insulin dependant stone deaf cat who now (we believe because of the diabetes) also has kidney disease. Original diagnosis came about when taking him to the vet because he was losing weight rapidly, losing fur in big clumps and did not seem to be doing very well in general.

In addition to the diabetes, it was determined he was allergic to fleas. (so am I so that is just one more reason to do monthly flea treatments.) It took a few vet visits and working on dosage before we got his diabetes under control. The first time I tried to give him an insulin shot he attempted to make me into hamburger meat and I had doubts as to my ability to control the situation and give him the care he needed for a longer and healthier life. My Mother came to the rescue with a suggestion of feeding him some canned salmon as a treat when trying the next shot. This worked very well, and eventually he began to associate the shot with a feeding, and I was able to substitute cat food for the salmon.

Time passed with spot glucose checks at the vet every 2 or 3 months, and the occasional all day glucose curve where they would check his blood throughout the day and then he would come home again. All was going along well for a couple of years.

In cats, while it is not extremely common, diabetes can go into remission, which means that an insulin shot will lower the blood sugar too low. Recognizing the symptoms can vary from cat to cat, but any of the following can be an indication of an "insulin overdose"

eyes vibrating rapidly back and forth (indication of dizziness)

changes in eating/ drinking habits

frequent urination (abnormally so or not in sync with the fluid intake)

constant circling , stumbling, (if it is a drunkards walk it is time to go back to the vet)

One thing you can do immediately is to smear some Karo syrup onto the cats gums as you head out the door for the vet. Since this is sugar, it will help to start bringing the sugar levels back up while you get the needed medical care for your cat. (I keep a big bottle of this in my cupboard for this very purpose .. we don't use this or any other sugar in this household since Mother is also diabetic, but hers is totally controlled through medications and diet.. including some very good dietary supplements.)

With Boots, the changes started last July when I noticed the constant circling, stumbling and took him in to get him checked out. His sugar level was 37 which is alarmingly low (normal is pretty much the same as in humans.. 80 to 120 is considered normal). They kept him for 3 days and worked at getting things regulated again. we reduced the units of insulin from 2 twice a day to 1.5 units twice a day. Blood work showed he had kidney disease now, so we had to add to the daily routine a horse sized needle under the skin to infuse him and hydrate him with lactated ringers once a day. (and I thought the insulin shot was a toughie!)

He really hates this process, which takes about 4 or 5 minutes to pump 100 units of the ringers into him (he growls and has tried to bite me a few times as well as doing some struggling) but over all we are becoming acclimated to the process and after all.. we get yet another meal out of the deal. )

Over all any behavior changes that make you think of drunken behavior, or senility, or confusion are indications it is time to put some Karo syrup on the gums and head for the vet. Regular visits to check blood sugar levels and watching for changes in behavior are also needed to insure your pet stays as healthy as they can for as long as they can.