Preventing And Treating Diabetes In Pets

When we think of diabetes, the family pet is probably not what comes to mind. Unfortunately, this serious condition is on the rise, in both humans and pets. Current statistics show that roughly 1 in 500 pet dogs and cats in the U.S. suffer from diabetes.

Diabetes in pets can lead to a host of serious health complications for them, it’s important for pet owners to learn all they can about the signs of this disease, as well as how to prevent it.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is essentially a disease of the pancreas that occurs when the body either does not make enough insulin or is unable to respond to the available insulin properly. Both scenarios, whether inadequate insulin levels in the blood or insulin resistance, mean that the organs and muscles aren’t able to convert glucose to energy. This influx of extra glucose in the body is where the trouble begins.

Signs And Symptoms Of Diabetes In Pets

Because of the buildup of glucose in the bloodstream, animals with diabetes may experience the following:

• Increased thirst (often excessive)
• Increased appetite (early on in the disease)
• Increased urination, sometimes with accidents
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite (as the disease progresses)
• Lethargy
• Pungent, or sweet smelling breath
• Overall weakness
• Vomiting/dehydration
• Urinary tract infections
• Cataracts (in dogs)

Diabetes in pets is diagnosed using a combination of symptoms along with a consistently high blood glucose level and the presence of glucose in the urine. If your pet is experiencing any of the above symptoms, give us a call right away.

Who Is At Risk?

Adult and senior male cats are at an increased risk for diabetes, as are female and senior dogs. Any overweight or obese pet has a much higher chance of developing the disease, but there are also certain breeds (such as dachshunds, poodles, and Samoyeds) that are genetically predisposed.

Treatment And Prognosis

Diabetes in pets cannot be “cured”, but the symptoms can be effectively managed with a combination of medication and lifestyle changes.

Daily glucose injections and other medications may seem overwhelming in the beginning, but we can help you to incorporate these into your daily pet care routine.

Preventing Diabetes In Pets

While the true cause of diabetes remains largely unknown, and almost certainly varies from pet to pet, we do know that obesity is a major risk factor. Commit to a healthy lifestyle for your pet with the following tips:

• Maintain a healthy weight for your pet
• Provide your pet with a high quality, nutritious diet
• Encourage an active lifestyle
• Keep all of your pet’s wellness appointments
• Follow up with any routine screenings recommended by your veterinarian

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, our pets will still wind up with the diabetes. Thankfully, most pets respond very well to treatment, especially when the disease is caught early. Your team at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital is here to help! Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns about diabetes in pets.