If your cat has a glucose level of 500, then it can quickly become an alarming situation. This means that you must take immediate measures to bring the sugar level down so your cat is back to normal. When a cat has a high glucose level, it shows various symptoms that will help you determine that it needs help. What should you do if you find your cat in this state?
In this article, we will go through why a cat’s blood glucose level can go above 500, how to control it to bring it back to normal and how you should navigate through this specific circumstance.
Glucose Level over 500 in cats
Insulin is required by the cat’s body to break down the glucose into energy molecules and then transport them to the rest of the body so the cat can function properly.
If the body does not produce insulin, then the glucose will not be broken down and transported, and this can cause health issues in your cat.
A cat with diabetes will not have insulin produced in its body, so it has to be injected externally.
However, when the insulin is not given to the cat on time, or not given at all, then the glucose level can go very high, even above 500 in some cases.
When this happens, your cat can develop health problems and if the matter is not looked into as soon as possible, then even death.
Therefore, it is important to figure out the symptoms of high glucose levels in your cat before they get too high.
What symptoms will your cat show about a high glucose level?
How do you know your cat has a glucose level over 500?
Your cat will usually start showing the symptoms as soon as its sugar level drops or rises. This just means you need to be aware whenever your cat is around you.
With a diabetic cat you can never be too careful. Here are some of the symptoms that most cats commonly show when their blood glucose level goes over 500:
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Excessive Weakness
- Thirst
- Increase in the amount of urine
- Weight loss
- Signs of depression
Your cat may or may not show all of these symptoms but do not wait for it to. If you find your cat in a weak state, immediately check its blood sugar and take measures to fix it.
You should also be well versed with what type of diabetes your cat has (type 1 or type 2) so you don’t face difficulties if its sugar suddenly drops low or increases.
Moreover, sometimes the symptoms in your cat are barely visible.
It could be due to stress hypoglycemia as well, so if you suspect that your cat is behaving weirdly because of the high blood sugar, Then you should talk to a vet as soon as you can.
Causes of cat glucose level over 500
Just like in humans, the reason for cats getting diabetes usually can not exactly be pinpointed. It can be because of multiple reasons together, or it could just be genetics.
But here are a few causes of diabetes and ultimately a blood sugar level over 500.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is when the cat’s pancreas stops working normally and does not produce insulin.
This occurs because of the destruction of cells that produce insulin in the pancreas, and now the body is left to deal with regulating the blood sugar by itself.
With no insulin to control the blood sugar, it can easily shoot up over 500 and cause problems in cats.
This is the most common reason that causes type 1 and type 2 diabetes in cats, and usually occurs when cats reach old age, but usually is not age-specific.
Stress
Stress can bring your cat’s blood glucose level to another high. This may not be permanent though, but if corrective measures are not taken to fix the situation, it can cause permanent damage.
High blood glucose levels due to stress are different from stress hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, but if the situation is not controlled properly, then the latter can prevail and become a permanent condition for your cat.
Medications
If your cat has other illnesses such as diabetes and it takes prescribed medications from it, then there could be a chance that one of the medications is causing the blood glucose level to go over 500.
To figure out what the problem is, take a look at what medications your cat is intaking and note its effect.
When you go to the vet, he may ask you questions regarding what side effects you saw, so let him know and get the medicine to make your cat’s sugar level normal again.
Obesity
Obesity is one of the major reasons for diabetes in cats. It can also cause glucose levels to rise well over 500, so if you combine old age and obesity, it isn’t the best combination for a diabetic cat.
Cushing’s disease
Cushing’s disease is when a hormone in the adrenal glands is overproduced. The problem concerning diabetes arises when it starts to make the blood glucose levels go as high up to 500.
It is not a very common disease in cats and your cat may be prescribed medications for a lifetime.
In severe cases, vets also recommend getting surgery done so that insulin production is not affected by the presence of Cushing’s disease.
Hyperthyroidism
Feline Hyperthyroidism is a disease in the cat’s body that can also directly affect your cat’s diabetic health.
It happens when the thyroid gland produces an excess of the thyroid hormone. This disease can be unpredictable with diabetes because it can mess with the insulin in the body and cause the blood sugar level to shoot up well over 500.
However, with proper medications for this disease, your cat can be healed and its diabetic health can be restored to normal.
How to bring glucose level back to normal from 500
The normal level of glucose in the blood for a cat is 82-122 mg/dl. This level can increase when the cat has just had food, which happens to non-diabetic cats as well.
Glucose levels may also increase when the cat is excited. However, the only difference is that cats with diabetes can have levels even up to 600 to 800, which is where the problem can begin.
So depending on the severity of your cat’s condition, its situation may differ. Not every cat is the same, so the procedures that suit one probably won’t suit another.
Most cats are given an appropriate dosage of insulin to counter the effect of the glucose level.
Along with that, they are prescribed other precautions such as changes in diet, and even medication to bring their bodies back to normal.
But if the situation is worse and getting out of hand quickly, then your cat may be admitted to the hospital and even kept there for a few days until its glucose level is controlled and it gets all the medications it needs.
The lesson here is not to wait when you find out that your cat has high blood glucose. If you know the amount of insulin your cat has to be given, give it otherwise head to the vet for treatment immediately.
Caring for a cat with a glucose level of over 500
As you know, cat glucose level going up is not a one-time thing. It can happen anytime and anywhere, so you have to be prepared to deal with it as soon as you see any of the symptoms we mentioned above.
How can you care for a cat whose glucose level is over 500?
Firstly, take care of the cat’s appetite. Diabetic cats already have a low appetite and they need to have food so the insulin can work. If it is not eating, your vet may prescribe certain types of food to provide your cat with proper nourishment.
Secondly, be consistent with the medications! Your vet will probably prescribe insulin injections that have to be given to your cat 2 times a day. Make sure you give your cat these religiously and on the right injection sites so it doesn’t hurt your cat.
Thirdly, check your cat’s glucose levels daily! This will give you an idea of how to take care of your cat based on its blood sugar throughout the day.
Moreover, if something looks unusual to you, make sure that you visit your vet. If a high blood glucose level is not treated, it can become diabetes ketoacidosis, and even become a cause of death quickly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cat glucose levels over 500 can be life-threatening if not looked into immediately.
To know when your cat’s glucose levels are rising, it will show symptoms like vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, and excessive thirst.
Several causes lead to a glucose level of over 500, such as stress, pancreatitis, Cushing’s disease, etc. For some of these, your cat may be prescribed medications so the glucose level can be controlled.
Moreover, to bring the glucose levels back to normal, you should check your cat’s sugar levels daily and give your cat insulin at the prescribed time.
If your cat has a high glucose level, we have mentioned some ways you can take care of its health until you can get in touch with a vet.
Lastly, if you notice any irregularities in your cats’ diabetic health, it is better to take the situation up with the vet. He can advise you the best based on your cat.
Stay healthy!
