November is National Pet Diabetes Prevention Month

| Print | By Jo Singer | November 10, 2009 10:02 AM

The month of November is targeted as National Pet Diabetes Prevention month. Since this is a serious and complicated condition which affects many pets, it is very helpful for pet owners to learn to recognize the symptoms, to become familiar with the causes, what measures can be taken to prevent the disease and how it is treated.

golden-retriever-diabetes.JPGDiabetes is a condition in which the body lacks insulin. This may occur when the pancreas cannot produce sufficient insulin, or when the body cells are resistant to it. Glucose or sugar is carried by the hormone insulin for the body's use, and without it the body cannot use glucose, so it remains in the blood stream causing high blood glucose. The disease is often referred to as "Sugar Diabetes" or more correctly called, Type I or II diabetes, or diabetes mellitus.

What are some of the causes of diabetes? Obesity and lack of exercise are the main causes of diabetes in both humans and pets. Since overfeeding, giving too many treats and failing to provide sufficient exercise to keep pets at a healthy weight, we are the ones who are, for the most part, responsible for causing this condition. Feeding our pets the proper diet based on their weight, size and age and the amount of daily exercise we provide them can make a huge difference.

What are the symptoms of Diabetes in pets? In the early stages of the disease, pets may show little or any symptoms, so annual veterinary checkups, including blood and urine tests are essential. Pets may start exhibiting symptoms of Diabetes such as excessive thirst, frequent urination and urinary tract infections, sudden weight gain or loss, increased appetite, or total lack of appetite, weakness, muscle atrophy and poor coat condition. In dogs, cataracts may appear, and in cats the hind legs may become weak and the cat may start walking with a wobbly gait.

How is Diabetes treated? A medication such as Glipizide, in felines, helps to stimulate the pancreas's production of insulin release or reduces the production of glucose. Dogs generally have type1 diabetes, so oral hypoglycemic drugs are not as effective. If the pancreas is not working at all, these drugs are ineffective. Daily insulin shots may be prescribed by the veterinarian. While the diagnosis can be frightening to owners who may become intimidated by the thought of having to inject their pets, veterinarians are skilled in teaching clients how to do perform this life saving measure. Special diets may be recommended as well.

Keeping our pets "fit and trim", providing regular veterinary care in addition to feeding the most appropriate diet and limiting those treats, are the most effective ways to keep diabetes at bay.
For more information about diabetes in pets, visit http://www.2ndchance.info/diabetes2.htm

Have you ever had a pet with diabetes? Please share some of your experiences in a comment.

RELATED TOPICS: Diabetes (1) , Health (24) , pets (4)



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Comments (3)

Vicki November 10, 2009 1:02 PM

My sister had a dog with diabetes. She could not afford the treatment for her and had to have her euthanized. It was a very sad situation, but many people have pets with it and do not know it. If your dog is overweight, get it checked.

Dee November 17, 2009 7:06 PM

My Turkish Van is dabetic and on insulin for 2 years now. Began at the 8yrs old with symptoms of lethargy, then would take a few steps and lay down, unable to rouse him. Unusual for a high stung cat. ER visit showed levels nearing 600 and had to be kept at the clinic for care. Had a scare this weekend when his levels dropped too low. When checked at 4 p.m. it was 32, immediately gave him Karo syrup, 1 hr later it was 45. Syptoms were strange. wandering around aimlessly, trying to go thru obstacles rather than around them. Eyes were completely dilated. Head bobbed like Stevie Wonder when I petted him. Had I not opened the window on that nice warm day, I wouldn't have seen him act this way. By 1:30 a.m. level had risen to 379. All I can figure is the 3 units of old inulin was much weaker than the 3 units of new, and the new made his levels drop. Blood testing is probably the most difficult for pet owners to learn.

Jessy November 22, 2009 10:26 AM

My poky was just Dig. with Diabetes 2 weeks tomorrow... having to get the shots every 12 hours.. will be taking him back tomorrow to see if the leval is what they need for him... have found that the morning shot has caused him to shiver abit after... but the evening one does'nt. so dont know if its just his fear or that its the shot.. Pokey is atleast 96%blind... but he finds his way around.
he keeps up the other's as if he could see.

Glenn December 17, 2009 8:42 AM
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I had a dog on insulin for 7 years. She was 14 when she died. Home testing and a good diet kept her in very good health until the end.u000aI have a cat with diabetes. With a tight regulation protocol (diabeticcatcare.com) and proper feeding she was tightly regulated within days of diagnosis and was in remission 2 months later: this involved a diet change, home testing with a human glucose meter and insulin injected as required, not a fixed schedule. This approach worked very well. She has not needed insulin for over 2 years now. The most important lesson to learn is that diet is the most important lesson for us to learn. cats and dogs should eat what they are supposed to eat, not what is convenient for us to feed them (i.e. kibble).

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