CBD and diabetes in cats
Diabetes is a very common disease in pets like cats. This condition can cause serious health problems if not treated quickly. That's why it's important to know how to recognize the warning signs of a diabetic cat. We will learn how to spot these signals. We will see if the cat's diabetes can be stabilized, and what role CBD can play.
What is diabetes ?
Cat diabetes is a chronic disease that prevents the cat's body from producing or using a hormone called insulin. Produced by the pancreas, insulin allows glucose to enter the cells for energy. Without insulin, glucose builds up in the blood. The blood sugar level explodes, and gradually causes damage to the feline's body.
Diabetes is a disease that prevents the cat from using sugar as an energy source. During digestion, the digestive system of animals will separate food into simple elements such as glucose, protein, fat. After being digested, the glucose passes into the bloodstream to be used as an energy source by the different organs of the body. But in order to pass from the blood to the organs, glucose needs insulin. In case of abnormality, as it is the case in the diabetic cat, the glucose does not reach the different organs and remains in the blood. The blood sugar level then rises sharply. Deprived of glucose, the organs will then draw it from the fats and proteins of the muscles to find energy, which can lead to an important loss of weight and muscles.
Diabetes is therefore a pathology to be taken seriously into consideration, because without treatment it can cause serious complications, such as neuropathy, blindness, kidney failure, etc.
There are 2 types of diabetes :
- Type 1 diabetes
The pancreas does not produce, or very little insulin, it is an insulin-dependent diabetes. It generally affects young cats.
- Type 2 diabetes
It is characterized by a chronic hyperglycemia. The insulin level is normal or increased. Insulin does not play its role properly anymore.
Symptoms
In the diabetic cat, certain symptoms can usually be observed such as:
- Increased thirst
- An increase in appetite
- More abundant and sticky urine
- Possible weight loss
Diagnosis and treatment
Only a veterinarian can diagnose diabetes, thanks to blood and urine tests. If the suspicions are confirmed and according to the type of diabetes incriminated, the treatment will be different:
- Type 1 diabetes : this is the more problematic of the two. The cat will receive one to two insulin injections per day, usually in the skin of the neck, according to the instructions given by the veterinarian.
- Type 2 diabetes : Insulin injections may not be necessary, but your cat's eating habits will need to be modified to reduce the amount of blood sugar in the animal. It will be necessary to provide yourself with low-carbohydrate kibbles, generally intended for diabetic cats.
CBD and diabetes in cats
You've probably already heard about the benefits of cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD. Perhaps you are even a fan of CBD oil? You can also offer CBD to your pets.
A little reminder about CBD
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound derived from hemp (Cannabis Sativa). It is found in the flowers and upper parts of the plant. CBD is therefore a substance that comes from cannabis, but it should not be confused with another substance produced by the same plant, the emblematic THC that produces psychoactive effects. To better understand, you need to know that cannabis is a group of plants, composed of 3 subgenera:
- Cannabis Sativa or hemp : It is very rich in CBD, and that is why it is used for the production of CBD (cannabidiol), THC is present in its flowers in insignificant concentration, less than 0.2% according to the law. Hemp is used in multiple industries (food, textile, construction, etc.).
- Cannabis Indica : It is very rich in THC. Cannabis Indica is grown illegally to make recreational products such as marijuana or cannabis resin.
- Cannabis Ruderalis : It is low in both THC and CBD, this variety is sometimes used in Asia for its fiber.
We reassure you immediately, CBD is not psychotropic, and CBD products for humans and animals do not contain THC. Your pet can consume all the oil he wants, he will never be "stoned".
CBD and THC are cannabinoids, natural molecules that interact with the cannabis receptors found in humans and mammals like cats. Our bodies naturally produce cannabinoids. But sometimes this production is not sufficient, and the body is in a state of chronic endocannabinoid deficiency.
We all have several systems, such as the nervous system, respiratory system, cardiac system, etc. But there is a much less known one, the endocannabinoid system. Briefly, we could say that its function is to manage the other systems. It is therefore the system of systems. Some studies suggest that a deficiency in the functioning of the endocannabinoid system could be the cause of many diseases. CBD can mimic the action of cannabinoids in the body. When we offer CBD hemp oil (Cannabis Sativa) to our animals, we support their internal cannabinoid system.
What if CBD could help your diabetic cat ?
Various researches show that CBD can have a positive action on diabetes and prevent blood vessel damage.
- In a 2016 study, Dalhousie University in Canada on mice with type 1 diabetes showed a significant decrease in symptoms after CBD administration.
- In 2014 in Nottingham, another study shows the vasodilator effects caused by the intake of CBD, thanks to its action on CB2 receptors (WHEAL et al. 2014)
- The same group of researchers, will conclude 1 year later that CBD causes relaxation of mesenteric arteries by activating CB1 and vaniolloides receptors.
- Other research on mice has highlighted the preventive potential of CBD against diabetes. During 6 months, the mice were observed by the scientists. 5 specimens not treated with CBD all developed diabetes. While 3 out of 5 mice treated with CBD (cannabidiol) remained healthy.