November is Pet Diabetes Awareness Month.

Diabetes in dogs and cats can occur at any age but it is most commonly seen in dogs between 4 - 14 years and in cats over 6 years of age. Obesity is a significant risk factor for developing diabetes. Dogs and cats may also develop other diseases that can result in diabetes or significantly affect their response to treatment for diabetes. The long term use of medications containing corticosteroids is also a risk factor for diabetes.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that can affect cats and dogs as well as apes, pigs, horses and humans. Diabetes cannot be cured but can be managed very effectively.
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when the body cannot use glucose (a type of sugar) normally. Glucose is the main source of energy for the body’s cells. The levels of glucose in the blood are controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is made in the pancreas.
As food passes through the intestines during digestion, sugars are absorbed from the food. The sugars are then moved into the cells that line the intestines and are converted into simple sugars including glucose. These sugars are then absorbed into the bloodstream and delivered to the body’s tissues and cells. Insulin is required for the transfer of glucose from the bloodstream to the cells. If there is not sufficient insulin or the body is unable to process it properly, glucose accumulates in high levels in the blood - a condition called hyperglycemia. This abnormal blood chemistry acts like poison and eventually causes multi-organ damage if untreated. This glucose in the bloodstream then overflows into the urine and draws large volumes of water with it. This is why diabetics often drink a lot of water and urinate more frequently.
When there is not enough glucose in the body’s cells to function normally, the tissues become starved for energy. This then causes the body to break down fat and muscle tissue which is then converted by the liver to sugar. This results in weight loss often seen in diabetic pets.

What are the signs of diabetes in pets?

Excessive drinking of water and urination
Weight loss
Decreased appetite or increased appetite
Cloudy eyes
Chronic or recurring infections (including skin and urinary infections)
Lack of energy
Vomiting

How is Diabetes diagnosed and treated?

Diagnosis is confirmed by your veterinarian after doing blood and urine tests on your pet. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, your vet will prescribe an initial dose and type of insulin for your pet which will be given by an injection under the skin. The vet will teach you how to give injections which are generally very well tolerated by animals.

Caring for Diabetic Pets

Diabetic dogs and cats will require lifelong treatment such as:

special diets - a high fiber diet is often recommended for dogs and a high protein and low carbohydrate diet is recommended for cats
owners should consider spaying female dogs diagnosed with diabetes
particularly in dogs, daily insulin injections. The key to managing diabetic pets is to keep their blood sugar near normal levels. Too high or too low levels can be life-threatening
maintaining regular insulin and feeding schedules each day
watch for signs of an insulin overdose such as weakness, seizures or tremors and loss of appetite

Uncontrolled Diabetes

Uncontrolled diabetes can have devastating effects on your pet including:

cataracts leading to blindness
enlarged liver
urinary tract infections
seizures
kidney failure
Ketoacidosis - a life threatening condition accompanied by rapid breathing, dehydration, lethargy, vomiting. Ketone testing sticks are needed to test your pet’s urine if any of these occur.

Diabetic pets have special needs, but can live long and healthy lives with the proper diagnosis, treatment and care.

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association