Pets can get diabetes just like humans and, although it can’t be cured, it is possible to manage diabetes in pets to allow them to live long, happy lives.
What is Pet Diabetes?
Diabetes in pets is a condition that affects around 1% of dogs and cats. It is estimated that 1 in every 300 dogs are affected and 1 in every 200 cats are affected in the UK. Diabetes occurs when too little insulin is made by the body, or if the body is unable to use the insulin properly, having a negative effect on the concentration of glucose in the blood. When the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, very little glucose is passed through the blood stream to be used as energy in the organs and the body cannot function properly.
Without the glucose being converted into energy, the extra sugar is left in the blood stream, resulting in diabetes and the symptoms that go along with it.
What are the Symptoms?
Pet diabetes symptoms are similar to those seen in humans with diabetes. Symptoms that can be seen in both cats and dogs with diabetes include:
increased appetite while losing weight or decreased appetite
excessive thirst
excessive urination
unpleasant breath with a chemical smell
lethargy
thinning, dry, and dull fur
There are also some symptoms specific to hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar:
seizures
being unstable
weakness
sleepiness
dullness
restlessness
This is a potentially life-threatening situation and should be dealt with immediately, getting your pet to a vet as quickly as possible.
Feline Diabetes
Risk Factors in Cats
The risk of feline diabetes is increased due to a number of factors:
obesity and/or physical inactivity
middle/old age
neutered males
certain breeds: Burmese, Maine Coon, and Siamese
medications – some, such as steroids, can increase the risk of developing diabetes
If your cat fits into one of these categories, it is important to regularly take your pet to the vet for check-ups so that diabetes can be caught early.
Can Diabetes Lead to Other Health Problems in Cats?
It is common for cats with feline diabetes to develop other health problems, such as weakened hind legs. If the diabetes is not properly managed, high blood sugar levels can even lead to nerve damage, which causes general weakness and reduced muscle.
Will Diabetes Affect Your Cat’s Life Expectancy?
No. When feline diabetes is caught early and managed properly, your cat can live for the same length of time as it would have, had it not developed feline diabetes.
Canine Diabetes
Risk Factors in Dogs
The risk of canine diabetes is increased due to a number of factors:
middle/old age
un-spayed females
obesity and/or physical inactivity
certain breeds, for example:
Cocker Spaniel
Border Collie
Jack Russell
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Labrador
Yorkshire Terrier
West Highland Terrier
Cairn Terrier
Can Diabetes Lead to Other Health Problems in Dogs?
It is common for dogs with canine diabetes to develop other health problems. One of the most typical is cataracts, a condition that causes the lens of the eye to become cloudy resulting in blindness. Another is that they become more susceptible to getting infections, often in the urinary tract. Proper management of the blood sugar levels can help to prevent these health problems developing and therefore your dog can have a happier life.
Will Diabetes Affect Your Dog's Life Expectancy?
No. When canine diabetes is caught early and managed properly, your dog can live for the same length of time as it would have, had it not developed canine diabetes.
How Can Diabetes in Pets Be Managed?
There are 3 ways in which blood glucose levels can be controlled:
Insulin Injections
It is very likely that your vet will prescribe insulin for your cat or dog to manage their diabetes, whether it is type 1 or type 2. This will help to get the diabetes under control to reduce symptoms and reduce potential risks of developing other health problems. You can give insulin injections to your pet at home. This will usually occur twice a day, during or after mealtimes, but your vet will advise you on the right course for your pet.
Diet
It is important to carefully control the diet of a diabetic pet. This means avoiding foods with a high sugar content, often those with gravy, and a high carbohydrate content, and choosing foods with a high protein content. It is usually recommended to steer clear of dry foods as they often cannot be made without a high carbohydrate content, stick to canned food that is mostly protein.
If you have an overweight pet, it is probably best to feed them with a low-calorie diet to help them lose weight, but you should discuss this with your vet.
Exercise
Pet diabetes occurs often in overweight animals as the excess fat causes resistance to insulin. Therefore, it is important to take dogs for at least 2 walks per day, and to play with your cats (if they don’t go outside) to make sure they are getting plenty of exercise daily.
What Should You Monitor?
It is important to regularly monitor a pet with diabetes. You need to keep track of their weight, whether they are losing weight or gaining weight, keep track of their appetite, reduced or increased, and keep track of their water intake and how often they are urinating. This way, you can find out what is normal for your pet, and if there are any changes to this, you can take them to the vet for a check-up.
Finding out your pet has diabetes can be difficult, but when you learn how to properly manage and monitor your pets’ condition, and follow your vet’s valuable advice, your diabetic pet can continue to have a good quality of life for just as long as a completely healthy pet!
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