By Vet Katrina Ellams
Many people are aware of diabetes in humans, but did you know it can also affect dogs and cats? November is Pet Diabetes Month dedicated to spreading awareness of this condition.
Recent studies have shown that approximately 1 in 300 dogs and 1 in 200 cats have diabetes in the UK.
Diabetes mellitus occurs when an animal is unable to regulate their blood sugar levels. In the body blood glucose (sugar) should be regulated by the hormone insulin. There are two main types of diabetes that we see in pets: Type I, which is more common in dogs, occurs when the body produces insufficient insulin and type II which is more commonly seen in cats is when enough insulin is produced but the cells don’t respond.
It tends to occur in middle aged to older animals and is seen more frequently in female dogs and male cats, with some breeds also being predisposed. The most common clinical signs seen are increased urination and excessive thirst. An increased appetite accompanied by weight loss may also be seen, and is more common in cats.
Female dogs which have not been spayed can also get diabetes associated with the oestrus cycle, so any female dog with diabetes should be neutered. Obesity is a proven risk factor in cats, and keeping animals lean and regular exercise reduces the risk.
If diabetes is left uncontrolled it can be life threatening.
Treatment involves daily insulin injections which owners can be taught to administer once or twice daily. Another key part of treatment is to create a diet and exercise routine which remains consistent. There is also a new oral treatment option for diabetic cats available rather than injections.
It is important to bear in mind once a pet is diagnosed with diabetes, they usually require lifelong treatment and lifestyle adaptations to manage it.
We have had a few cases recently of pets having diabetes alongside another condition, which can be a reason for diabetes being difficult to control. Each animal requires different dosages for treatment and getting diabetes controlled can be a lengthy process and can prove frustrating at first.
However, there are new devices we can use for monitoring blood glucose levels which allow us a better understanding of what is happening to an animal’s blood glucose throughout the day so that we can tailor treatment accordingly.
If you think your pet may have some of the symptoms described, please speak to your vet.