By Rhonda Baillargeon, LVT
This month we will talk about diabetes in dogs and cats in honor of national pet diabetes month. Diabetes is a result of the body’s not being able to use glucose normally. Glucose is one of the sugars utilized for energy. Insulin is the substance required to get the glucose from the bloodstream into the cells. If there is not enough insulin available, the excess glucose overflows into the urine and is eliminated with the animal’s urine. Meanwhile the body is not getting enough glucose for the energy required for normal bodily functions, causing a state of starvation. When this happens, the body breaks down fat and muscle tissue to satisfy its energy requirements.
As a result of this condition, dogs and cats will drink a lot of water and need to urinate more frequently than usual. This is because the body is trying to flush out the excess glucose in the urine. They may have an increased appetite but seem to be losing weight as a result of the metabolic starvation that is occurring. Sometimes, there will be a decreased appetite because the pancreas (the organ creating insulin) is inflamed causing nausea. Often there will be recurrent infections, especially urinary tract infections. This is because the excess glucose in the urine is an ideal food source for bacteria. Often with dogs, there will be cloudy eyes and sometimes glaucoma.
The veterinarian will diagnose diabetes based on the clinical signs the pet’s mom or dad describes in addition to blood and urine tests showing increased levels of glucose in the blood and the urine. Occasionally, there are other diseases contributing to diabetes or affecting the pet’s response to treatment for diabetes.
The first step in treating diabetes is feeding a good diet. The veterinarian will recommend a diet specifically for that pet. Sometimes the diabetes can be controlled by diet alone, but usually insulin is required. For dog and cats, insulin is given by injection, usually twice daily. It is not difficult to learn to give injections at home, but it does take practice. Most pets tolerate the injections well because a very small needle is used. Regular monitoring will be required to make sure the fur baby is getting the correct dosage of insulin. Many pets can live long and well when their diabetes is well-managed by committed family members.
