Diabetes can be a dangerous illness if it is not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. If you suspect your Birman cat may have diabetes, call your vet Sayville, NY to discuss concerns and schedule an exam. Your vet can tell you about feline diabetes and things to watch for. Generally, the disease occurs when a cat’s body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use the insulin correctly. Insulin is a hormone that is produced in a cat’s pancreas and is in charge of regulating the flow of glucose from the bloodstream into the body’s cells. When there isn’t enough insulin then the cat’s body starts breaking down fat and protein as alternative energy sources. An exact cause for feline diabetes is not known. However, various hormonal diseases such as obesity, chronic pancreatitis, hyperthyroidism, Cushing’s disease has been linked to feline diabetes. In addition, certain medications have also been associated with diabetes. Learn more here.