Cat Diabetes and Homeopathic treatments

Pokky, a 10-year-old cat, has diabetes. His veterinarian prescribed a low fat diet and insulin but his owner chose to try dietary therapy alone. Almost a year after beginning treatment, Pokky's monthly test showed essentially no change in his blood glucose levels. His owner asked about using homeopathy, which is the administration of dilute forms of substances such as chemicals or plants to stimulate the body to heal itself.

I prescribed two homeopathic remedies for Pokky: Syzygium and Uran Nit, which are administered in dissolvable tablets. Syzygium attemps to mimic the action of insulin to decrease blood glucose levels, a function the pancreas normally performs. Uran Nit is recommended as an additional treatment, particularly if the cat shows general emaciation, weakness or increased urination. I placed Pokky on daily doses of these remedies and rechecked his glucose one month later. His level was still slightly higher than normal but showed reasonable improvement.

We monitor Pokky every 2 to 3 months maintaining his remedies and low fat diet.

Diabetes mellitus, or sugar diabetes, is one of the most commonly diagnosed disorders in geriatric cats. Causes include obesity, infection, pancreatitis, medications and an accumulation of amyloid protein in the pancreas. When a cat is diabetic, the pancreas can no longer secrete sufficient insulin to allow blood sugar used for energy; insulin is the hormone that drives glucose from the blood and into the body's cells where it can be used. You may notice increased appetite, thirst and urination.

Insulin and increased dietary fiber conventionally treat diabetes. Increased fiber reduces glucose absorption from the intestines. In many cases, homeopathy and herbal treatments can also help.

Two types of diabetes exist. The most common form, Type 1, is more severe. Homeopathy can be used for both types, but Type 1 also requires insulin treatment. Cats with Type 1 diabetes have negligible insulin production and, in many cases, extremely elevated glucose levels. Without appropriate treatment, a condition called ketoacidotic come can occur as ketones and acids accumulate in the body. It can be rapidly fatal if not treated early.

Approximately 30 to 50 percent of cats have Type II diabetes. The pancreas produces insulin, but because of some combination of insulin resistance, decreased insulin binding on the body's cells, or impaired tolerance for glucose, the body does utilize blood glucose effectively.

Like the homeopathic remedies I prescribed for Pokky, herbal therapies can help. In Western herbal therapy, the doctor chooses herbs to treat specific symptoms; in Chinese herbal therapy, doctors base their choices on traditional Chinese medicine protocols to treat body imbalances. Regardless of philosophy, the herb choices are usually similar.

A doctor practicing Western herbal therapy might prescribe ginseng, gypsum, anemarrhena and lotus embryo for a diabetic cat. These herbs are designed to lower blood glucose and control clinical signs, such as the increases in appetite, water consumption and urination.

Chinese medicine uses the same herbs, often mixed in a formula with other herbs, but the doctor has a different philosophy. For example, ginseng replenished the body's vital essence, gypsum and anemarrhena treat heat in the "middle burner" by "sedating stomach fire" and lotus embryo aids the kidneys.

The overall prognosis for cats with diabetes is guarded. Cats with Type 1 usually require insulin, dietary therapy and careful monitoring for life. Cats with Type 2 diabetes, like Pokky, have a better chance for a normal life because they retain the ability to make their own insulin. They require regular checkups to ensure glucose levels stay in an acceptable range and make certain the disease does not convert to Type 1.

While complementary treatments are not always a substitute for medical therapy, Pokky has responded nicely to continued homeopathy and a change in his diet, and he does not need insulin treatment.

(Never experiment with medication, homeopathic or regular medicine, and always see you veterinarian for treatment).