Diabetes in Pets: Everything Pet Owners Need to Know
Like humans and other mammals, your pet too can get diabetes. Rates of diabetes in pets like dogs and cats have increased significantly over the past couple of decades. For that reason, pet owners must know about pet diabetes, its causes, symptoms, treatment, and how to prevent and monitor this condition.
Pet Diabetes: What Is It?
Pet diabetes occurs when the animal cannot produce or utilize the available insulin. The naturally-occurring hormone is produced by the pancreas to help absorb glucose and regulate energy supply. In the event of insufficient insulin, sugar accumulates in the blood and spills into the urine, drawing large water volumes from the body. This explains why diabetic animals drink more water and pee frequently.
Pet diabetes falls under different categories.
Type 1 diabetes from the body's inability to produce enough insulin
Type 2 diabetes from the body's inability to respond to insulin
Type 3 diabetes from hormone-induced insulin resistance, typically a result of hormone-secreting tumors or pregnancy
Risk Profile for Pet Diabetes.
Which animals are most likely to get pet diabetes?
Age: Any cat or dog can get diabetes regardless of its age. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs between 4 and 14 are most susceptible. On the other hand, diabetes is more prevalent in older cats above six years.
Sex: Female dogs are twice as likely to get diabetes than male dogs. In cats, obese males face a greater risk than females.
Breeds: Although other dogs can get diabetes, breeds like Dachshunds, Miniature Poodles, Cairn Terriers, Schnauzers, and Beagles are at a higher risk. In cats, the Russian Blue, Burmese, Norwegian Forest Cat, Tonkinese, and Abyssinian are more predisposed to diabetes.
Weight: Overweight or obese animals are more likely to get diabetes. Per the 2022 State of U.S. Pet Obesity Report, the obesity rate stands at 59% and 61% in dogs and cats, respectively.
Pet Diabetes Symptoms
Your pet might be suffering from diabetes if they exhibit the following symptoms:
Increased urination
Increased thirst
Weight loss despite, and in some cases, increased appetite
Cloudy eyes, especially for dogs
Recurring conditions like skin and urinary infections
Lethargy due to low energy levels
Low blood sugar levels may present as weakness, staggering, or seizures
Pet Diabetes Causes and Diagnosis
There’s no single cause for pet diabetes. While some breeds are genetically predisposed to the condition, underlying medical issues such as pituitary disease, obesity, and adrenal diseases increase the risk of diabetes. Another possible cause is the prolonged use of steroids that disrupts glucose regulation.
Diagnosis involves tests to measure blood and urine sugar levels. Additional screening might also be necessary to check for changes in the kidney, liver, and pancreas. This may involve urine cultures to determine whether the bladder and kidneys are infected.
Pet Diabetes Treatment
Diabetes treatment is multi-faceted. It involves:
Insulin therapy: The vet will prescribe injectible insulin to regulate glucose levels. However, insulin preparations aren’t the same. Medications include Vetsulin, Caninsulin, Humalog, ProZinc, VetPen, Levemir, Lantus, and Novolin. The veterinarian will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each and prescribe the most appropriate treatment depending on cost, concentration, and action duration.
If you’re nervous about administering the injection, you can practice with a syringe and an orange until you’re confident enough. Remember, different pets require different syringes–make sure to get the type and size your vet recommends for more accurate and comfortable dosing.
Diet: Your vet will advise on calorie requirements depending on the pet’s activity level and weight. A diabetic diet should be rich in insoluble fiber to slow down digestion and prevent glucose spikes. Additionally, avoid sugary treats that can disrupt glucose levels.
Exercise: A consistent workout regimen increases the body’s responsiveness to insulin.
You can start with light exercises like walking and jogging–intense workouts cause blood sugar spikes resulting in dizziness and seizures. What’s more, avoid rugged terrain, seeing diabetic animals are more likely to sustain non-healing wounds. Feel free to ask the veterinarian about your pet’s exercise requirements and healthy weight range.
Monitoring: In addition to regular veterinary check-ups, monitor the pet's weight, appetite, and water intake, to determine the success of the treatment. Lack of regular assessments can lead to cataracts, diabetic ketoacidosis, urinary tract infections, nerve damage, and other complications.
Diabetes Prevention
While not all cases are preventable, you can lower your pet’s risk of getting diabetes. For starters, observe proper nutrition, and avoid high-sugar and high-fat foods that cause insulin resistance and obesity.
Physical activity also goes a long way in managing your pet’s weight–you can ask your vet for a meal and weight loss plan. Additionally, know your pet–be more vigilant if the breed is predisposed to diabetes.
A diabetes diagnosis for your pet can be troubling, but with proper treatment and management, your pet will enjoy a long, healthy life.
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