Herbal treatment for diabetic cats follows the same guiding principles as treatment for diabetic humans. The endocrine system, pancreas and liver are the focus of herbal treatments. The disease being treated with herbal medicines is properly labeled diabetes mellitus, or type 2 diabetes, which involves the inability of the cat's body to produce the proper amount of insulin needed to digest and metabolize carbohydrates and sugars. Herbal treatment for diabetic cats aims at lowering or maintaining blood sugar levels and promoting pancreatic health.
Ingredients
Herbal treatments for diabetes in cats are often a concoction of several different herbs. Ingredients common to more than one herbal diabetes remedy are fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), goat's rue (Galega officinalis) and Chinese milk vetch (Astragalus membranaceus). Holistic pet medicine experts recommend choosing a supplement that includes chromium and bilberry (Vaccinum myrtillus) as well. Among three more traditional Chinese herbal remedies, common ingredients include Chinese foxglove (Radix Rehmanniae), a fungus known as Tuckahoe or Indian bread (Poria cocos), fruit of the Chinese magnolia vine (Schisandra chinensis), snake gourd or Chinese cucumber root (Trichosanthes), kudzu root (Pueraria lobata) and Chinese licorice root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis). Three out of five formulae studied included some form of ginseng---devil's club (Oplopanax horridus), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) or woodland bonnet bellflower (false ginseng, Codonopsis pilosula).
Dosage
Dosage for a cat will vary depending on how the herbs are prepared. Liquid suspensions and pills are both labeled for dosage by weight. Herbal supplements intended for treatment of human diabetes may also be used for cats with consideration for inclusion of compounds that may be toxic to cats. Combined with exercise and a high-protein, low-carbohydrate, moderate- or low-fat diet, herbal remedies may be effective in stabilizing your cat's diabetic condition without insulin injections. Improvement may be visible 3 to 6 weeks after beginning an herbal regimen.
Cautions
Herbal ingredients can be powerful and toxic to cats if administered by the inexperienced. Cats metabolize certain chemicals differently from humans or dogs. Some essential oils and herbal medicines may contain phenolic compounds toxic to cats. Benzyl alcohol, when used as a preservative, makes a compound toxic for cats. Unscrupulous people, those we used to call "snake oil salesmen" in the 19th century, offer naturopathic remedies for feline diabetes online that may be ineffective or fatal for your cat. Research thoroughly any herbal remedy you consider. Consult with an experienced herbalist or veterinarian specializing in holistic medicine before giving your cat an herbal remedy for diabetes.
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