Diabetes Mellitus

• Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrine system disorder in cats. Diabetes is a condition in which insulin production is decreased or the body is unable to process insulin correctly. Insulin is required by cells to absorb the sugar needed for energy. Without proper insulin, these cells become starved, leading to a variety of internal problems.
  
  

Oral Hypoglycemic Medications

• Although insulin that can be injected remains the treatment of choice for feline diabetes, some cat owners are unwilling or unable to administer the medication in that way. Oral hypoglycemic medications provide an alternative. Oral hypoglycemic medications may be used alone or in combination with injectable insulin. Ongoing studies into the effectiveness of oral medications have shown some promise, and vanadyl sulfate is one of the promising medications.
  
  

Vanadyl Sulfate

• A 2004 study involving rats shows that short-term use of vanadium sulfate can improve insulin-resistant diabetes. Studies have also shown that vanadium sulfate improves insulin's ability to work in the body, as well as reverses some of the chemical changes caused by the disease. Vanadium sulfate appears to enhance insulin activity and helps stabilize blood glucose.
  
  

Dosage

• It is important to check with your veterinarian before you use vanadium or vanadyl sulfate for your cat. Because of the nature of the compound, an animal receiving insulin could experience a life-threatening situation caused by the blood sugar level going too low. It is also important to realize that the use of vanadium and vanadyl sulfate for treatment of feline diabetes is considered experimental.
  
  The dose of vanadium for cats is 0.2 mg per kg of body weight once daily with food. This dosage is thought to be safe for all cats. To convert pounds to kilograms, divide the weight of your cat by 2.2. Example: if your cat weighs 12 pounds, divide by 2.2 to determine that his weight is 5.5 kilograms.
  
  Vanadium is also available commercially as Vanadyl Fuel, which is sprinkled on cat food. The suggested dosage is 1/2 capsule per day.
  
  Again, it is imperative that you work closely with your veterinarian when giving your cat vanadium to determine a safe dosage for your cat.
  
  

Considerations

• The majority of studies conducted using vanadium sulfate include dosages several thousand times the normal amount found in a cat's diet, which causes some scientists concern over possible toxic reactions. Vanadium sulfate is not recommended for long-term use because it has been shown to accumulate in the body.