AN overweight diabetic cat has lost a fifth of its bodyweight and has gone into remission for his diabetes after being put on a special diet.

 Rachel Fortescue, 53 of Frating, contacted the Royal Veterinary College after she noticed some changes in her cat, Lester’s, behaviour.

 She said: “Last year, we noticed he was starting to drink and pee more which is something to watch out for in older cats as he’s 13.

“We went on holiday in October and Lester’s cattery commented on his behaviour as well which is when we took him to the vet.

“The vet did some blood tests and they came back showing his glucose levels were high indicating diabetes.”

Rachel’s son Jonathan, 25, is also a veterinarian who received his qualifications at the Royal Veterinary College. He informed Rachel of the college’s diabetic remission trial.

Rachel’s vet contacted the world famous college and was recommended a brand of insulin to use on Lester.

She added: “Lester had insulin shots twice a day and was put on a diabetic diet, he then undertook a glucose curve test at the vet.

“These tests were sent off to the Royal Veterinary College and within a week they had Lester on a diabetic remission trial, within four weeks of the trial he was in remission.”

Lester’s new diet is now in keeping with the Royal Veterinary College’s high fibre diet as part of his diabetic food management programme.

Rachel says Lester has been transformed into a whole new cat, running around with Rachel’s other cats instead of keeping to himself.

Rachel advises cat owners to see the vet as soon as they see changes in their cats because remission is more common if the issue is caught early.