Diabetes insipidus in Cats

This renders the body incapable of regulating the use of water.

Symptoms
These include polydipsia (excessive thirst) and polyuria (production of large amounts of urine).

Causes
Diabetes insipidus is caused by lack of the anti-diuretic hormone ADH (produced in the cat's pituitary glands), or the failure of kidneys to respond to this hormone. Normally, the production of ADH is increased when there is little water intake, and decreased when the cat drinks large quantities of water, thus controlling the body's water balance.

What to do
Any sign of abnormal water intake should be investigated by a vet as soon as possible.

Treatment
Depending on which form of diabetes inspidus is present, treatment may involve the administration of ADH td the affected cat; this is administered through nasal drops.

<< Previous Constipation - Cats suffer it too. | Back to Cat Health | Next >> Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)