Pets develop many of the same health conditions as humans, even if those conditions don't always express themselves in exactly the same ways. Diabetes, a failure in the body's ability to control its blood sugar levels, serves as a prime example, affecting
one out of every 300 dogs and one out of every 230 cats.
Although diabetes can present serious symptoms and complications, it can also respond to timely veterinary treatment and preventive measures. The more you know about this problem, the more effectively you can protect your pet against this condition. Check out these answers to frequently asked questions about pet diabetes.
What Does Diabetes Involve?
Diabetes involves poor control over the level of glucose (the sugar derived from foods) in an animal's bloodstream. Normally, the pancreas produces insulin to remove excess glucose and maintain stable blood sugar. When this system fails, blood sugar levels mild swing upward (hyperglycemia) or downward (hypoglycemia).
In diabetes, either the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to manage blood sugar levels, or the body doesn't respond properly to the insulin produced. These conditions take the forms of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in humans. However, the line between these two forms becomes less distinct in pet diabetes.
What Factors Raise a Pet's Risk for Diabetes?
Age ranks as a leading risk factor in pet diabetes development. Diabetes can sometimes strike younger pets, but it more commonly appears in middle age or later. Veterinarians usually diagnose diabetes in dogs between the ages of
seven and ten. In cats, the disease usually appears after the age of six.
Certain breeds of animals have a higher genetic risk for diabetes. Examples among dogs include Golden and Labrador Retrievers, Beagles, Dachshunds, Feline examples include Maine Coon, Burmese, and Siamese cats. Obesity and untreated underlying diseases can also affect your pet's diabetes risk.
What Symptoms Might Indicate That Your Pet Has Diabetes?
Early-stage diabetes may not present any noticeable symptoms. As the condition progresses, your pet may seem thirstier than usual, drinking more water and passing more urine as a result. Some pets may eat less; if they eat well, they may lose significant weight. You may also notice weakness and loss of muscle mass.
Some diabetes symptoms affect one type of pet more frequently than another. For example, dogs with diabetes have a greater chance of developing cataracts from the disease than cats do, while cats more frequently develop nerve problems that affect their stance and mobility. If your pet shows such symptoms, schedule a veterinary examination.
How Do Veterinarians Diagnose and Treat Diabetes?
Veterinarians use a combination of internal and external diagnostic methods to confirm a case of pet diabetes. In addition to noting obvious changes such as weight loss, cataracts, or increased thirst, your veterinarian will analyze blood and urine samples for signs of unusually high or low blood sugar.
Most diabetic pets need to receive regular injections of insulin to keep their blood sugar stable. Your veterinarian can show you how to administer this simple injection at home. You'll also need to check your pet's glucose levels at home, with more thorough checks conducted at your veterinarian's office every few months.
Your pet's diabetes management plan may also include lifestyle and dietary changes. For example, exercise can help reverse any obesity or muscle weakness associated with your pet's condition. A prescription diet can aid weight loss while also helping to regulate the amount of sugar that hits your pet's bloodstream.
What Can You to Reduce Your Pet's Diabetes Risk?
If your pet doesn't yet have diabetes, you can take steps to minimize its risk of developing the condition. Regular exercise and a healthy, balanced diet (with appropriate portion sizes) can remove obesity as a factor. Periodic wellness checks allow your veterinarian to watch your pet's health closely and make recommendations as needed.
When you have questions and concerns about diabetes or any other condition that might affect your pet, count on Pet Medical Center of Vero Beach to provide answers and treatment.
Contact us today to schedule a veterinary exam.
