Is it safe for a cat with diabetes mellitus to receive a general anesthetic?
Normally animals need to have an empty stomach before they are anesthetized. A diabetic cat that has not been fed needs far less insulin. Your veterinarian will advise you on how much insulin to give your cat before it is admitted, or he or she may wish to administer a reduced dose of insulin to your pet. Usually a diabetic cat is administered intravenous fluid therapy while under anesthesia. This hydrates the animal when it cannot drink on its own. Apart from needing a reduced amount of insulin and fluid therapy (which is also given to some non-diabetic animals undergoing anesthesia), your diabetic cat is not at any additional risk from anesthesia than any other healthy cat of the same age.
