Diabetes is characterized by too much glucose in the blood, and not enough in tissue cells. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that enables glucose (blood sugar) to enter tissue cells. If there isn’t enough insulin produced, or the cells don’t respond to it properly, the cells will not absorb enough glucose to function correctly. The result is a condition called diabetes.
High levels of sugar in the blood can result in a variety of symptoms, including increased thirst and urination, increased appetite, weight loss, and lethargy (weakness). If left untreated (or a pet is not regulating properly with treatment), long term side effects include loss of muscle and body condition (bones that should not be visible are), recurrent urinary tract infections, cataracts, and a condition called diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage from the excess sugar in the blood. It primarily affects the rear limbs. You may notice your pet standing on his/her hocks instead of feet, slipping when walking, having difficulty getting up/down, and/or walking in a crouch. It can eventually result in loss of bowel and bladder control.
There are two types of diabetes that can affect your pets. Type I is the most common in dogs, and occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin. Type II is more commonly seen in cats, and it occurs when the tissue cells aren’t responding properly to insulin. When the blood sugar stays high, the insulin producing cells in the pancreas may tire out and quit producing insulin. If this is caught early, and the causes of insulin resistance addressed (i.e. obesity), this type of diabetes may be reversible.
Diabetes is treated with a combination of insulin injections (once or twice daily under the skin), and a diet suited to the needs of a diabetic animal. Your veterinarian will instruct you on how much insulin to give, how to give it, and what the best food is for your pet. The goal of treatment is to regulate the amount of sugar in the blood in order to minimize or prevent symptoms and complications. As previously stated, with early detection and tight control, this condition may be reversible in cats.
Monitoring your pet’s condition closely is the key to regulation and preventing long term side effects. At Effingham Animal Hospital, we recommend checking your pet’s blood sugar at home using a monitor designed specifically for pets. Using a human monitor will result in inaccurate readings. Stress can affect glucose levels, so checks done in a hospital situation is not ideal. It may not reflect how a pet is regulating in their home environment where they’re more relaxed. These “glucose curves” should be done quarterly, and involve checking your pet’s sugar every couple of hours throughout the day. Your veterinarian should be called with results. Changes to dosing may be made depending on these readings and your pet’s behavior (i.e if he/she’s drinking/urinating habits have changed, etc).
In addition, your pet should have regular labwork done to check for urinary tract infection (common in diabetic patients), monitor organ function, and look at red/white cell counts. Your diabetic pet (and all pets) should be given a thorough physical exam by your veterinarian every 6-12 months. It’s a good idea to keep a diary of your pet’s glucose readings and any changes in behavior/symptoms.
If your pet has prolonged symptoms of poor regulation (i.e excess thirst/urination), loss of appetite, lethargy, or vomiting, it should be promptly reported to your veterinarian. Your pet may have a systemic infection or disease preventing them from responding to their insulin. This can lead to a severe and life threatening condition called ketoacidosis.
We hope this post was interesting and informative. Please read this article for further information. If you have questions about your pet, please visit our contact page for the best methods to reach us.
