Diabetes And Your Pet
Posted on: 6 January 2016
Like humans, your pet can potentially get diabetes, whether it's a bird, dog, cat or horse. Pets can have two types of diabetes. Type one mostly strikes young animals and is rare among animals. Type two is mostly acquired around middle age or late in life. If you are concerned about whether your pet has diabetes, more information about the condition is listed below.
Causes and symptoms:
In mammals, diabetes is a condition where the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin to metabolize carbohydrates. In birds, diabetes is caused by too much glucagon in the blood which causes blood sugar to be constantly elevated. In modern times, many pets are fed high-carbohydrate diets filled with grain that can cause blood sugars to rise quickly or remain too high for longer periods. In mammals, these diets, along with a lack of exercise, can cause obesity, another risk factor for the condition. Symptoms of diabetes are similar across all pet species, and they include increased thirst, lethargy, increased urination and a change in appetite. As the condition gets worse, some pets may have unexplained weight loss.
Standard medical treatment:
If your veterinarian has confirmed that your pet has diabetes, but it is not severe, he or she may try to manage it through increased exercise and a prescribed diet. Your pet will probably need to be hospitalized until its blood sugar has stabilized and your pet is responding to treatment. If your pet's condition is more severe, insulin shots may be prescribed. You will be shown how to administer the medication by your veterinarian. It may seem difficult to do so at first, but it becomes easier with practice. Some pets, such as cats and birds, respond well to oral medication.
Long-term maintenance:
Diabetes is a life-long condition and will need to be constantly monitored. Diabetic pets are at an increased risk of other conditions such as infection and cataracts. No matter if your pet is on insulin or not, diet will have to be strictly controlled. This means no more table scraps, high-carbohydrate kibble or sugary treats. Your veterinarian may request that you bring your pet in for more checkups, at least until the condition has been stabilized for a long period of time.
Diabetes can be a potentially life-threatening condition for any pet and it's important to get it diagnosed and treated early. Have your pet examined every year and bring your pet in if you see any diabetic symptoms.
Share