How do I know if my cat's diabetic neuropathy is causing pain?

Poor Hamm! It's common for diabetic cats to develop a condition called diabetic neuropathy, which is characterized by weakness and lack of coordination in the rear legs. Affected cats will also sometimes stand or walk with their entire hock (the lower part of the leg) flat on the ground, which is called a plantigrade stance. I would recommend calling your vet or taking Hamm in for a check-up to discuss this issue and confirm that it is due to diabetic neuropathy and not some other problem. If so, many cats with this problem improve once their high blood sugar is under control - so Hamm may need some testing to check his glucose levels and see if his insulin dose needs to be adjusted. Weekly vitamin B12 injections have also been shown to help with this condition in some cats, so this is something that you could discuss with your veterinarian as well.

Yes, diabetic neuropathy could take months to improve once diabetes is under control. Considering the signs you are describing I think the glucose level may be still unregulated, as usually increased thirst and urination are the first signs to get under control.

I am sorry to hear about Cozy. Unfortunately diabetes is a disease that does require medical management. Your kitty is going to get progressively sicker and eventually will probably go into diabetic ketoacidosis, and make her very sick. It sounds like she is already declining, losing lots of weight and vomiting frequently. I would consider euthanasia as a humane option if you are unable to treat her, as she is likely to continue to go downhill. She may not be in pain, such as pain when you break a bone, but she likely does not feel well or herself.

Hi. I would be concerned about a neuropathy and that Missy isn't regulated well enough. I would recommend calling your veterinarian in the morning for a recheck and to check the glucose and discuss further testing. Another option is to get a second opinion. If she is wobbly, and weak, I would recommend the ER to get the glucose checked.

I would be concerned by the lack of normal urination in a diabetic pet - they are very prone to urinary tract infections due to higher than normal sugar content in their urine which can encourage bacterial infection. I strongly recommend a urine test to determine exactly what is going on. Your vet may have special cat litter to collect a urine sample or may be able to draw a sample directly from the bladder with a needle in order to investigate fully what is going on

Hi and thanks for your request. Cat's on chronic kidney disease are rarely experiencing pain. Controlling hypertension, decreasing urinary protein loss, and addressing anemia are important therapeutic goals in cats that develop this condition. Only hypertension might be vaguely related to discomfort, but this has not been proven in cats.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Penelope looks like such a sweet girl! Dropped hocks, excessive thirst/urination are definitely signs of diabetes. I am not sure how Penelope is acting - if she is vocalizing, trying to get your attention, or is lethargic - but the dropped hocks are caused by nerve damage from increased blood sugar, and are not necessarily painful. However, this does not mean that Penelope is not painful for a different reason. You can always request your records from your vet, and bring them with you to a different clinic for a second opinion. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you have regarding Penelope!