Save $5 on Glucose testing by mentioning this article! Diabetes in Cats Diabetes mellitus, the clinical name for “sugar diabetes,” is a disease that affects the level of glucose, or sugar, in your cat’s blood. Diabetes results from a shortage of insulin or when the body has trouble properly using the insulin it has made.  Insulin affects the way your cat’s body uses food. When your cat eats, food is broken down into very small components that the body can use. One component, carbohydrate, is converted into several types of sugars, including glucose. Glucose is absorbed from the intestines into the blood. Once in the bloodstream, glucose travels to cells where it can be absorbed and used for fuel — if insulin is present. Without insulin, glucose can’t enter cells and builds up to potentially poisonous levels in the bloodstream. So your cat may act hungry all the time and eat constantly, but still be malnourished because its cells can’t absorb glucose.  The most common type of diabetes in cats is Type II diabetes, which is much like Type II diabetes in people. This form of diabetes occurs when a cat’s cells stop responding to insulin produced by the pancreas. Some cats with Type II diabetes must take insulin injections. Your veterinarian will recommend the most appropriate treatment for your cat’s diabetes type.

Who is at Risk?

Approximately one cat in every 200 develops diabetes and, according to experts, that number is expected to increase. Diabetes has been diagnosed in cats of all ages, genders and breeds. It frequently affects older cats, especially neutered males.

 Experts believe feline diabetes results from several different factors. Key risk factors for diabetes in cats include:

• Genetic tendencies (predisposition)
• Other insulin-resistant disorders or diseases, such as chronic pancreatitis or hyperthyroidism
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Indoor lifestyle

If you feel your cat is at risk for developing diabetes, consider having your pet tested once a year during a regular examination.

Diagnosis and Detection

Diabetes is one of many diseases that can affect your cat and can cause visible changes in behavior and other signs. That’s why it’s important your cat be thoroughly examined by a veterinarian at least once a year or more frequently as your veterinarian advises.

 Knowing the signs of diabetes is the first step in protecting your cat’s health. If any of these statements describes your pet, speak with your veterinarian about the possibility of diabetes:

• Drinks more water than usual (polydipsia)
• Urinates more frequently, produces more urine per day or has “accidents” outside the litter box (polyuria)
• Always acts hungry (polyphagia), but maintains or loses weight
• Is less active or sleeps more (lethargic)
• Has thinning, dry and dull hair

When evaluating your cat for diabetes, your veterinarian may ask about these signs and will check your cat’s general health to rule out the possibility of other diseases or infections.

A sample of your cat’s urine may be tested first for the presence of glucose, ketones and/or a urinary tract infection. If glucose is present in your cat’s urine, the veterinarian also will want to determine your cat’s blood glucose level. If the blood glucose level is consistently higher than normal, your cat’s pancreas may not be secreting enough insulin or your cat’s body is “resistant” to the insulin being produced. Regardless of the cause for increased blood sugar, your pet is suffering from diabetes mellitus.

A diabetes diagnosis is considered definite when glucose is found at a persistently high level in blood and in urine.

Managing Diabetes

Your cat has been diagnosed with diabetes, so now it’s time to learn how to care for your diabetic pet. Although diabetes can’t be cured, the disease can be successfully managed with daily insulin injections (if needed) and changes in diet. And successful diabetes management means your cat can lead a happy, healthy and active life.

Controlling feline diabetes often requires daily insulin injections to restore your diabetic cat’s insulin level and manage blood glucose levels. Your veterinarian may suggest an insulin product specifically for cats, a human insulin product or an oral hypoglycemic medication, depending on your cat’s needs. Each diabetic cat’s insulin requirement is different, so you will need to work with your veterinarian to find the correct dose for your pet. It may even be necessary for your cat to stay at the veterinary clinic for a few days so your veterinarian can closely monitor your cat’s response to insulin.

Some diabetic cats no longer need insulin after a few weeks or months of treatment, a condition known as clinical remission. However, remission does not mean your cat’s diabetes has been cured. Care must still be taken with your cat’s diet and lifestyle.

If your cat does need daily insulin injections, you’ll need to learn how to administer them. At first you may be nervous or even afraid to give your cat an injection. You’re not alone. Many pet owners are anxious about giving injections, but it’s easier than you think and you’ll quickly learn how to handle daily injections with little stress for your pet or for you.

Monitoring your cat’s blood glucose level is an important part of diabetes management. Because each diabetic pet is different, your veterinarian will need to help you determine which monitoring device — such as urine strips or blood glucose meters — will work best for you and your cat.

 Diet plays a vital role in helping to keep your cat’s diabetes regulated. Ideally, your cat should be fed the same amount of food at the same time(s) every day. Some cats prefer eating small amounts throughout the day. If your cat prefers to eat small, frequent meals, your veterinarian probably will not try to change it.

 Cats require high levels of dietary protein and are uniquely able to use protein for energy. A high-protein, low-carbohydrate food is ideal for a diabetic cat.

 Overall, a palatable and nutritious diet that minimizes fluctuations in blood glucose and helps your cat maintain a healthy weight is important for managing diabetes. Your veterinarian can recommend a diet that’s best suited to the needs of your cat.

 Regular veterinary checkups help identify changes in your pet’s condition. Diabetes can affect a cat differently over time, even after a long period of stability. While you may feel confident in your ability to care for your diabetic cat, visiting your veterinarian regularly will help you to successfully manage the disease over time.

Diabetes in Dogs

Diabetes mellitus, the clinical name for “sugar diabetes,” is a disease that affects the level of glucose, or sugar, in your dog’s blood. Diabetes results when the dog’s body makes too little insulin or doesn’t process insulin properly. Insulin affects how your dog’s body uses food. When your dog eats, food is broken down into very small components its body can use. One component, carbohydrate, is converted into several types of simple sugars, including glucose. Glucose is absorbed from the intestines into the blood, then travels to cells throughout the body. Inside cells, insulin helps turn glucose into fuel. If there’s too little insulin available, glucose can’t enter cells and can build up to poisonous levels in the bloodstream. As a result, a diabetic dog may want to eat constantly, but will be malnourished because its cells can’t absorb glucose.

Who is at Risk?

Approximately one in 500 dogs develops diabetes and that number is on the rise. While any dog can develop diabetes, it frequently affects middle-aged to older dogs, especially unspayed females.

 The primary cause of canine diabetes is largely unknown, but experts suggest that genetics may play a role. Overweight dogs also are at risk for developing diabetes. If you feel your dog is at risk for developing diabetes, consider having your pet tested once a year during a regular veterinary examination.

Diagnosis and Detection

Diabetes is one of many diseases that can affect your dog and can cause visible changes in behavior and other signs. That’s why it is important that your dog be thoroughly examined by a veterinarian at least once a year or more frequently as your veterinarian advises.

 Knowing the signs of diabetes is the first step in protecting your dog’s health. If any of these statements describes your pet, speak with your veterinarian about the possibility of diabetes:

• Drinks more water than usual (polydipsia)
• Urinates more frequently, produces more urine per day or has “accidents” in the house (polyuria)
• Always acts hungry (polyphagia), but maintains or loses weight
• Is less active or sleeps more (lethargic)
• Has cloudy eyes
• Has thinning, dry and dull hair

When evaluating your dog for diabetes, your veterinarian may ask about these signs and will check your dog’s general health to rule out the possibility of other diseases or infections. And your veterinarian will test your dog’s urine for the presence of glucose and ketones and measure your dog’s blood glucose level. A diabetes diagnosis only becomes definite when glucose is found at a persistently high level in blood and is detected in urine.

Your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, so now it’s time to learn how to care for your diabetic pet. Although diabetes can’t be cured, the disease can be successfully managed with daily insulin injections and changes in diet and lifestyle. And successful diabetes management means your dog can lead a happy, healthy, active life.

 Managing Diabetes

Controlling canine diabetes often requires daily insulin injections to restore your diabetic dog’s insulin level and manage blood glucose levels. Depending on your dog’s needs, your veterinarian may suggest an insulin product specifically for dogs or a human insulin product. Each diabetic dog’s insulin requirement is different, so you will need to work with your veterinarian to find the correct dose for your pet. It may even be necessary for your dog to stay at the veterinary clinic for a few days so your veterinarian can closely monitor his or her insulin needs.

 You will need to learn how to administer your pet’s insulin. At first you may be nervous or even afraid to give your dog an injection. You’re not alone. Many pet owners are anxious about giving injections, but it’s easier than you think and you’ll quickly learn how to handle daily injections with little stress for your pet or for you.

 Monitoring your dog’s blood glucose level is an important part of diabetes management. Because each diabetic pet is different, your veterinarian will need to help you determine which monitoring device — such as urine strips or blood glucose meters — will work best for you and your dog.

 Diet plays a vital role in helping to keep your dog’s diabetes regulated. Ideally, your dog should be fed exactly the same diet every day and at the same time(s) of day.

 A diabetic dog’s diet includes complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber to help slow absorption of glucose from the digestive system. It also usually has a low fat content.

Overall, a palatable and nutritious diet that minimizes fluctuations in blood glucose and helps your dog maintain a healthy weight is important for managing diabetes. Your veterinarian can recommend a diet that’s best suited to the needs of your dog.

 Exercise helps keep pets active, healthy and happy. But for diabetic dogs, exercise needs to be regulated because activity affects your dog’s blood glucose levels. It’s best to create a consistent exercise routine for your diabetic dog to ensure he or she isn’t getting too little or too much exercise.

If you’re concerned about the amount of exercise your diabetic dog needs, ask your veterinarian.

Regular veterinary checkups help identify changes in your pet’s condition. Diabetes can affect a dog differently over time, even after a long period of stability. While you may feel confident in your ability to care for your diabetic dog, visiting your veterinarian regularly will help you to successfully manage the disease over time.

All from www.petdiabetesmonth.com