In severely diabetic cats, feline diabetic neuropathy (damage of nerves especially the peripheral ones) may arise. This often occurs due to high glucose levels in the blood, especially if it persists for long durations.
In case your cat has it, feline diabetes neuropathy will have symptoms such as tissue degeneration, muscle loss, hind legs weakness and walking on front wrists or hind leg hocks.
Also, your feline friend may have difficulties in walking, inability to climb stairs or jump to a higher level as well as lying down for a long time or after short walks among other symptoms.
Methy-B12 supplementation
In our discussion on vitamin B12 benefits and deficiency symptoms, we state that some of the consequences of its deficiency include nerve damage, gastrointestinal problems, anemia, amongst others.
However, the first step should be managing diabetes via diet modification (to help regulate blood sugar) and insulin shots to help deal with diabetes.
Additionally, these animals will require methylcobalamin or methyl-B12 ( a form of vitamin B12 and not the usual supplement) to help repair peripheral nerve damage since this vitamin has a role in boosting the nervous system.
This will help ease some of the symptoms of neuropathy including hind leg weakness, difficulties in walking for a long time, and so on.
An example of methylcobalamin containing a supplement you can opt for is Zobaline where you will administer 3-mg tablets of methylcobalamin daily. There are many other reputed manufacturers of this supplement.
On diets, being diabetic, their foods should be high in fiber but low in carbohydrates. Typically, go for those that are high in proteins, moderate in amounts of fats and low carbs. Remember that not all foods labeled ‘for diabetic cats’ are fit. Therefore, go for reputed manufacturers.
Finally, feline diabetes is commonly accompanied by other conditions including pancreatitis, Chronic Renal Disease (CRD) and decreased appetite. Fortunately, vitamin B12 helps boost appetite. Furthermore, you need its supplementation since conditions such as pancreatitis often affect its normal absorption.
Dosages
Dosages can range from 1.5-5mg per day. For instance, there is a methyl-12 that comes in tablet form, each 3mg. You should give your pet one tablet daily and it will treat the neuropathy within a short time, notes Vetinfo.com.
How nerve repair occurs is not well understood. However, research has linked a deficiency of cobalamin to nerve damage.
Finally, it is worthwhile noting that feline neuropathy will also go away if diabetes is managed well.
Conclusion
To easily monitor your cat’s glucose blood levels, you should consider buying a glucometer and constantly measure its blood glucose level. This device will ensure you do not overdose or underdose this pet with insulin.
Although there are no studies done specifically on this pet, studies from other animals have shown the role of this vitamin in managing neuropathy.
My 12 year old cat was diagnosed two months ago with diabetes with a sugar of 429. Vet started him on 1 unit of vetsulin. At one week later, his back leg was limping. Two weeks later he was walking with a uncontrollable walk swaying back and forth. Did not have glucometer to test. He was not started on diabetic food. VET started him on a different over the counter dry and wet. Took cat to another vet, sugar was now 529. She did not feel it was neuropathy but started him on 3 units of vetsulin and wet and dry Glycobalance. Did well in 5 days and sugar was 206 7 hours after dosage given. After 11 days, cat went back on over the counter wet food but glycobalnce dry. Unable to find wet food. Now almost 3 weeks later, wet food has come into stock at vet and he is back on the glycobalance. His staggering is worse. I asked doctor a month ago about Methyl 12 but she stated she never used it for a cat and would not recommend it. I want to purchase it and crush it into his food but am afraid if there are side effects, he needs help.
Sorry about your diabetic feline friend. We would recommend that you follow your vet’s advice.
Hi Tari,
I have some resources to order Methyl-B12, made by Thorne.
Thorne is a human grade supplement company, and they carry clear capsules that contain only Methyl-B12, with minimal ingredients, and no sugar. Very pure. I open these capsules and sprinkle it into wet food daily. It turns pink, you just mix it in.
Pharmaca carries this, and you can order it online.
https://www.pharmaca.com/thorne-research-methylcobalamin-coenzyme-b12-60-vcapgclid
It is pure Methyl B-12.
I would put 3-5 caps in the food per day.
Be sure there is nothing but Methyl-B12, as they have other supplements with more ingredients.
Good luck!
Or go to Thorne.com to find it there.
Not sure if you’ll see this, Tari. My cat is diabetic and takes 3 of these in his diabetic wet food in the morning https://www.ilifelink.com/zobaline-for_diabetic_cats-3_mg_x_60_tablets.html 3 crushed tablets because he weighs 16 lbs. We started him with 1 tablet, then 2, then vet said 3. Within a couple weeks he was walking 80% normally which is the best we can get him to.
Cats need high protein, low fiber, and low carbohydrate food. Tiki Cat is one of the best for diabetic cats. Get your own blood glucose monitor for home so you can change the amount of insulin you deliver, otherwise it may harm your cat and cause severe side effects if you give more insulin than needed. Unfortunately vets don’t always know everything they could about diabetes in cats. There are videos you can watch to learn to test your cats blood sugar at home, which is crucial if you want your cat to get better. Best of luck!