Have a Diabetic Cat? You Must Know These Four Dangerous Complications of Feline Diabetes

Let's face it; when you have a diabetic cat, you must pay more attention to your feline friend's health. Although cat diabetes doesn't lead to blindness or circulatory problems like it does in humans, there are certain problems that go with this disease that you must be aware of. Here are some complications that a kitty with feline diabetes may face.

Feline Ketoacidosis

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Your kitty's body normally breaks down glucose for energy. However, if your kitty is an untreated feline diabetic, glucose is not available for fuel, so his body will try to break down fat instead. When this happens, ketones are produced as a waste product. These ketones will build up in his body, leading to some very serious problems.

Symptoms of feline ketoacidosis include:
Either drinking excessive amounts of water, OR not drinking any water at all Urinating often Not eating for more than twelve hours Lethargy and weakness Dehydration Breathing fast Vomiting Breath smells sweet, or like nail polish remover

This is a veterinary emergency, and your kitty needs immediate treatment, or he'll die.

Feline Neuropathy

This may be the first symptom you'll notice of diabetes in cats. Your pet may walk on his "wrists" on his front legs, or on his hocks (the "elbows") on his back legs. This strange walk is due to nerve damage caused by high blood glucose levels.

Diabetic neuropathy is sometimes reversed when your kitty's blood sugar levels are regulated properly. It does take some time and patience, however, before this can happen.

Hepatic Lipidosis

Overweight kitties who suddenly stop eating are at risk for this problem. Like ketoacidosis, it's a result of the body trying to use fat for fuel instead of glucose. In this condition, the fat builds up in your kitty's liver, which causes swelling. The symptoms are similar to those of ketoacidosis, mentioned above, with the addition of jaundice. You'll notice a yellowish cast to the whites of his eyes, his gums, and the insides of his ears.

This is an emergency situation. If your kitty won't eat, your vet may have to tube feed him. Although hepatic lipidosis is fatal if not treated, most kitties get better after being fed by tube.

Hypoglycemia In Cats

If your feline diabetic gets too much insulin, or doesn't eat on schedule, or has an unusually vigorous exercise session, his blood sugar levels can drop to dangerous levels. This affects the brain first, since it can't store glucose like other organs can. Your pet may become dizzy, weak, listless, and uncoordinated. He can have seizures, and may go into a coma. This condition can be fatal very quickly.

Keep some Karo syrup on hand so you can put some into a syringe (without a needle) and squirt it into his mouth. If he's already unconscious, rub some syrup on his gums and under his tongue. Wrap him in a blanket and get him to the vet right away.

Can Complications In Cats With Diabetes Be Prevented?

The best way to avoid these complications in your kitty is to try to keep the glucose levels in his blood where they should be. Natural remedies for cats that include the herbs goat's rue, astragalus, and fenugreek, along with the supplement chromium, have been shown to help regulate blood glucose levels naturally. In fact, many people who live with diabetic cats have been able to reduce or even eliminate insulin injections by treating their felines with herbal pet remedies.

If your kitty has diabetes, you'll want to prevent these complications. Don't wait for your kitty to become a victim. Discover how you can protect your feline companion now.

Have a Diabetic Cat? You Must Know These Four Dangerous Complications of Feline Diabetes

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Acute Viral Hepatitis: Causes, Clinical Picture, Complications and Treatment

Acute viral hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver parenchyma for less than 6 months caused by viruses.

Causes of acute viral hepatitis:
Hepatotropic viruses: which includes virus A, B, non A non B (C, E) and Delta agent when it is combined with B virus. Non hepatotropic viruses: as Epstein Barr virus (EBV), Herpes simplex and cytomegallo virus (CMV).

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Clinical picture of Hepatotropic viral hepatitis (A, B, C, E, Delta + B):

It could be one of two types; Non icteric hepatitis or icteric hepatitis as follows:
Non icteric hepatitis: it is a mild form of hepatitis, even it may pass unnoticed, clinically there is a mild Flu-like illness with anorexia (the patient doesn't even like the smell of food and if he was a smoker he wouldn't tolerate the ciggartes smell), Fate: Resolution or it could develop chronic hepatitis. Icteric hepatitis: has 3 phases (pre-icteric, icteric and post icteric) Pre-icteric phase symptoms (about 1 week): Fever, Headache, malaise with marked anorexia and distaste for cigarettes and pain right hypochondrium (anatomical site of the liver) Icteric phase (2-4 weeks): there is some improvement of fever, malaise and headache but Jaundice appears (jaundice: Yellowish discoloration of the skin and mucous membrane), with jaundice there is dark urine and clay stool. Post-icteric phase (convalescence): there is improvement of general condition gradually but jaundice persists for some time, then after about 3-6 months the patient become in a normal condition.

Complications:
chronic hepatitis specially with hepatitis C. liver cirrhosis (loss of hepatic pattern with portal hypertension). Fulmination which develops rapidly into liver cell failure and hepatic encephalopathy (specially with hepatitis E infection during pregnancy). prolonged cholestasis (prolonged jaundice). relapse could occur. post hepatitis syndrome which is psychogenic. Hepatoma (cancer of liver). Aplastic anemia, purpura. urticaria, arthritis and pancreatitis. glumerulonephritis. vasculitis. ployneuropathy.

the last 5 points of complications are rare except with hepatitis B and C.

Treatment: (non specific treatment)
Rest: it is advisable, but strict confinement to bed is not necessary, rest until the patient becomes clinically normal. Diet: high carbohydrate diet, low fat diet and no restrictions for proteins except with fulminant hepatitis. steroids are contraindicated as it have no benefit and may lead to exacerbation. vitamins. antiemetics. immunoprophylaxis: vaccines and immunoglobulins.

No need for interferon therapy in Acute viral Hepatitis as it is a simple disease that can be cured by immune system, Interferon has been used in some acute cases of hepatitis C with some success.

Acute Viral Hepatitis: Causes, Clinical Picture, Complications and Treatment

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Germanium - Side Effects, Contraindications and Complications

Germanium, or germanium-132, is a chemical element commonly used to treat cancer of the lung, bladder, breast, uterus or bladder. Proponents of germanium claim it can naturally treat cancer with few side effects. No scientific evidence supports these claims.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, germanium is a potential health hazard that could cause serious physical harm. Severe organ damage, some of which have caused death, have reportedly been caused by germanium. Proponents claim only inorganic germanium can cause serious harm, but recent studies have showed both organic and inorganic germanium can be potentially dangerous for human consumption.

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Potential Side Effects of Germanium

According to WebMD, germanium can cause serious side effects even with short-term use. Common side effects that occur with short-term use include:

* Lack of healthy red blood cells (anemia)

* Muscle weakness

* Nerve problems, possibly nerve damage

* Loss of appetite (anorexia)

* Unintentional weight loss

* Nausea

* Vomiting

* Fatigue, pronounced exhaustion

* Skin rashes

* Numbness in the hands or feet

* Seizures

These side effects worsen the longer you take it. Eliminating its use may alleviate some, but not all symptoms. The nerve damage caused by its toxic buildup inside the body, for example, can become permanent.

Potential Long Term Effects of Germanium

Numerous health organizations, including the American Cancer Society (ACS), have identified several serious long term effects caused by germanium. These effects include:

* Kidney damage

* Changes in liver function

* Kidney failure, sometimes chronic

* Fatty liver (hepatic steatosis)

According to the FDA, nine deaths have also been reported. As little as 15 grams was administered prior to their deaths.

Possible Contraindications

There is little information available about germanium's contraindications with other drugs, although most researchers agree that it should not be used with other drugs. Feroseminde, sold under the trade name Lasix, may not work as effectively when taken with germanium. Germanium may also amplify the effects of drugs that increase the risk for kidney damage.

Because of germanium's potential side effects, this supplement is rarely recommended. Pregnant women are strongly advised to avoid its use, as fetal damage has been documented.

People who are at risk for kidney failure, fatty liver, or any type of cancer should not take this supplement. People who are on drugs or supplements that increase the risk for carcinogenesis should avoid using this supplement.

The preceding information is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice from a licensed medical doctor. Any medical concerns should be discussed with your local healthcare provider.

Germanium - Side Effects, Contraindications and Complications

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