Does my pet have diabetes? Everything you need to know about the condition!
Diabetes, a condition that affects both humans and animals, has become increasingly common in pets, especially dogs and cats, in recent years. This condition, often simply referred to as "sugar diabetes", is a complex metabolic disorder that affects the body's ability to regulate glucose effectively. Let’s delve deeper into what diabetes in pets entails, from the basic principles to its treatment and management.
What is diabetes in pets?
Diabetes in pets, similar to diabetes in humans, is characterised by an abnormally high blood sugar level (hyperglycaemia) due to insulin deficiency (type 1 diabetes) or insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes). Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, regulates the uptake of glucose by body cells. In type 1 diabetes, insufficient insulin is produced, while in type 2, body cells do not respond to insulin as they should.
Although pet diabetes mainly affects dogs and cats, other animals, such as rabbits and ferrets, can also be affected, but it is less common.
Symptoms of diabetes in pets
Recognising the symptoms of diabetes in pets is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Excessive urination (polyuria)
- Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy and weakness
- Poor coat condition
- Poor wound healing
Possible causes of diabetes in your pet
The causes of diabetes in pets are complex and can vary depending on the type of diabetes and the species of animal. In dogs, two main causes of diabetes are identified:
Type 1 diabetes, often associated with an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
Type 2 diabetes, in which the body's cells do not respond to insulin as they should, often due to obesity, genetic predisposition, or other underlying health problems.
In cats, Type 2 diabetes is the most common form. Risk factors include obesity, lack of exercise, genetic predisposition and age.
It’s also important to know that diabetes is more common in unspayed females than in males, and in cats, the onset of diabetes can sometimes be reversible if the cat's weight is brought back to normal.
How do we make the diagnosis?
An accurate diagnosis of diabetes in pets requires a thorough physical examination and tests. Blood tests are used to measure blood glucose levels, along with other parameters such as fructosamine. Fructosamine provides an average blood sugar level over a period of two to three weeks and can be especially useful in cats, whose blood sugar levels can be affected by stress. Based on the test results, a diagnosis can be made and further treatment can be discussed with your vet.
Treatment and management of diabetes in pets
Treatment of diabetes in pets focuses on stabilising blood sugar levels and preventing complications. This often involves a combination of medication, diet, exercise and regular monitoring.
Insulin injections are often necessary in both dogs and cats with diabetes. These injections are usually administered twice a day, with a specific dose determined by the vet based on several factors, including the severity of the diabetes, the animal's weight and response to the treatment.
Specialised diet food for pets with diabetes may also be recommended. This food is formulated to help regulate blood sugar levels and may include low carbohydrate and fat content, along with a high fibre content.
In addition, regular exercise is essential for diabetes management in pets, as it can help improve insulin sensitivity and promote weight loss if needed.
Tips for pet parents from veterinarian Vermeulen
For owners of pets with diabetes, it is crucial to maintain regular contact with their veterinarian and to closely monitor any changes in their pet’s behaviour or health. This includes keeping an eye on food intake, water consumption, urination, and overall wellbeing.
It is also advisable to carry out annual preventive health checks, especially in older pets, to detect and treat early signs of disease, including diabetes.
Finally, it can be useful to learn more about diabetes and its treatment by, for example, discussions with the vet.
We can thus conclude that diabetes in pets is a complex condition that requires careful monitoring, treatment and management. With good cooperation between pet parents and veterinarians, along with a dedicated approach to treatment and care, pets with diabetes can lead a good quality of life.
In a nutshell
Diabetes in pets, similar to diabetes in humans, is characterised by an abnormally high blood sugar level (hyperglycaemia) due to insulin deficiency (type 1 diabetes) or insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes).
It is crucial to recognise the symptoms of diabetes in pets, such as excessive urination, thirst, weight loss, loss of appetite, lethargy, poor coat condition and poor wound healing, for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Diabetes in pets has complex causes: type 1 in dogs due to autoimmune reaction, type 2 often due to insulin resistance caused by obesity. In cats, mostly type 2, linked to obesity and genetics, sometimes reversible with weight loss.