November is National Pet Diabetes Month! Diabetes is a very dangerous disease for both people and pets. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon in our furry friends. A local Marietta, GA vet discusses pet diabetes below.
Basics
Diabetes mellitus in pets, as with humans, is associated with the way the body produces insulin. When your dog or cat eats, the glucose in their food is transferred into their cells, which use it as fuel. Insulin is critical for this process. If your four-legged friend doesn’t produce the proper amount insulin he needs, his blood sugar will spike but his fuels will essentially be running on empty. Or, if he produces too much, his blood sugar will drop. This is extremely dangerous, and can cause severe issues, including comas.
Risks
While pets can develop diabetes at any time, it’s most common in older dogs and cats. Obesity will increase your furry pal’s risk, as can several other factors, including hormones, medication, genetics, and certain illnesses. Gestational diabetes is also not uncommon. Ask your vet for more information.
Warning Signs
Keep an eye out for signs that could be indicative of diabetes. One thing to watch for is excessive thirst, which may be accompanied by excessive urination and/or potty accidents. Other red flags include weight loss and sweet-smelling breath. Your fuzzy friend may also get extremely hungry, and may pull out all the stops with begging theatrics. More severe signs include vomiting, anorexia, weakness, disorientation, clumsy or erratic strides, respiratory distress, seizure, and collapse. Contact your vet immediately if you notice any of these issues.
Care
Caring for a diabetic pet may be easier than you think. One of the most important things is making sure that your four-legged friend is eating a proper diet. Your vet may recommend a low-fat diet, and/or a specific food. You’ll also need to pay attention to portion control. The good thing here is that, because Fido and Fluffy can’t feed themselves, this is something you can easily control. Some pets may need daily insulin injections. (Don’t worry: once you’ve gotten used to this, you may find that it only takes a minute.) Aside from that, just make sure that your furry buddy is getting enough exercise and is visiting their vet regularly.
Do you want to learn more about diabetes in pets? Contact us, your local Marietta, GA animal clinic, today!
