November is designated as National Pet Diabetes Month. It should be a reminder to all of us of the growing prevalence of diabetes in dogs and cats.

What is Type I and Type II Diabetes?

Type I Diabetes is when the body does not make enough insulin (a hormone produced from the pancreas) and therefore requires life-long insulin therapy (delivered via a syringe twice a day). This is most commonly seen in dogs. Once a dog becomes a diabetic, they are a diabetic for life.

Type II Diabetes is when the body has some insulin being produced from the pancreas, but it is an inadequate amount or something is interfering with its ability to be used by the body. This is most often seen in cats. Therefore, your cat may need insulin injections for a few months, not necessarily for life.

With diabetes, the body does not have enough insulin to push sugar (glucose) into the cells of the body. As a result, the cells of the body are starved, and the body is stimulated to produce more and more glucose. However, without insulin in the body (or being delivered by syringe) the sugar can’t enter the cells. The excess sugar produced by the body results in signs of excessive thirst and urination. Untreated, the body develops diabetic complications where it breaks down fat in an attempt to feed the starving cells. This condition then becomes life threatening.

Oral medications do not work well in dogs and cats, and therefore insulin injections by syringe twice daily are needed.

Watch for these signs of Diabetes in your pet:

Excessive thirst
Excessive urination
Weight loss even though there may be an Increased appetite
Blindness
Weakness
Lethargy
Poor skin condition ( excessive dandruff or oily hair coat)
Increased whiteness of the lens of the eye caused by cataracts

If you notice any of these symptoms, visit your veterinarian immediately. The sooner diabetes is diagnosed, the sooner it can be treated before any serious complications arise.

With supportive care, the prognosis of your diabetic pet is fair to good, although it does require frequent trips to the veterinarian to regulate blood sugar levels and dedicated pet owners who can give the injections.

Vet Care tips for Diabetic Pets

Make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise. Keep daily exercise/walks consistent to maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Feed your pet low-fat meals and treats. Commercial brands canned or dry are generally low in fat, but read the labels and look for low carb and high fibre.
Consider giving your dog raw or cooked vegetables such as broccoli, string beans, cauliflower, or cucumber slices. Vegetables make excellent diabetic dog treats.
Time their meals consistently each day to prevent dips in blood sugar levels.
Avoid overfeeding or giving table scraps. If you can’t easily feel each rib, the best gift you can offer your dog is weight loss. Fresh vegetables can be used when reducing their kibble amount. Some commercial dog brands produce diabetic-specific food as well.
Learn to monitor your pet’s glucose levels at home with a portable glucometer or glucose blood test strips.

With the right treatment and consistent monitoring, your beloved best friend can continue to have a long, happy and healthy life.