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Home » Long Term Weight Loss » Diabetes affects dogs and cats as well – Red Bluff Daily News

According to the 2020 National Diabetes Statistics Report (https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/index.html), it is estimated that 34.2 million Americans, just over 1 in 10, have diabetes and that 88 million adults, approximately 1 in 3, are prediabetic. However, humans are not the only ones affected. According to the 2016 State of Pet Health Report, it is estimated that 1 in every 300 dogs and 1 in 230 cats will develop diabetes during their lifetime. Merck Animal Health, in conjunction with other Pet Care Alliance Partners, has designated November as Pet Diabetes Month (https://usa.petdiabetesmonth.com/), to raise awareness and help educate pet owners about diabetes in our furry friends.

Very simply, diabetes is a condition that occurs when the body cannot use glucose normally. This sugar is the main source of energy for the bodys cells. The pancreas produces a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells. With diabetes, the body either does not make enough insulin, or it cannot use its own insulin as well as it should. Without the necessary insulin, the sugar cannot get into the cells. As a result, the cells of the body are starved, and the body is stimulated to produce more and more glucose. The excess sugar that is produced overflows into the urine and draws large volumes of water with it. It is why diabetic humans and pets often drink more water and urinate more frequently and in larger amounts. Left untreated, the body will break down fat in a futile attempt to feed the starving cells. The resultant products (ketones) from the fat breakdown and poison the body, resulting in vomiting, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances. Like humans, diabetes in pets can result in heart disease, blindness, and kidney failure. Left untreated, diabetes can be fatal.

Noticing possible signs of diabetes is an important beginning step in rapid diagnosis and early treatment. If you see any of the following symptoms, your pet should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Pets will usually sleep more and are more lethargic (lacking energy and mental alertness) during the day. Dogs can have cloudy eyes. There is an increased whiteness of the lens of the eye, because of cataracts. While both dogs and cats can have poor skin conditions like excessive dandruff or oily hair, a cats hair may thin. Pets may also exhibit three additional symptoms: polydipsia (excessive thirst and fluid intake); polyuria (increased urination); and polyphagia (excessive hunger and eating). Weight loss, even though there is an increased appetite, might also indicate the pet has diabetes. Other indicative signs of diabetes are chronic or recurring infections.

Risk factors for diabetes include advanced age, genetic predisposition, breed, and obesity. Diabetes can occur at any age, however dogs are usually 4-14 years old and cats are typically 8-13 years old. Diabetes occurs in female dogs twice as often as the males. Obesity is a significant risk factor for development of diabetes and according to theAssociation for Pet Obesity Prevention (https://petobesityprevention.org) pet obesity is on the rise with 55.8% of dogs and 59.5% of cats in the U.S. being classified as overweight or obese. In addition, as pets age they may also develop other diseases that can result in diabetes or could significantly affect their response to treatment for diabetes, including overactivity of the adrenal gland in dogs (hyperadrenocorticsm) or overactivity of the thyroid gland in cats (hyperthyroidism), pancreatitis, heart disease, kidney disease, urinary tract infections and skin infections. The long-term use of medications containing corticosteroids is also a risk factor for diabetes.

Type I diabetes occurs when the cells in the pancreas do not function properly or at all, and therefore do not produce insulin. Type II diabetes occurs when some of the cells in the pancreas function, but the amount of insulin is not enough, as well as a phenomenon called insulin resistance, where cells do not let the insulin affect them. Middle-aged to older pets that are overweight or obese are at a higher risk of developing Type II diabetes. Because genetics plays an important role in Type I diabetes, there is little that can be done to prevent this type of diabetes but, by maintaining your pets overall health through regular checkups, exercise, and an appropriate diet, you can help prevent Type II diabetes from developing in your pet.

While there is no cure for pet diabetes, there are ways to successfully manage the disease if you follow your veterinarians instructions. Depending on the type of diabetes that the pet has, his diabetic management may include insulin injections, regulation of diet, and the incorporation of an exercise regimen. Once the pets diabetes is properly managed, the prognosis is good, although regular trips to the veterinarian for monitoring of blood and urine glucose levels is essential. However, if left undiagnosed and untreated, diabetes will lead to life-threatening complications.

Additional information can be found at The American Veterinary Medical Association (https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/diabetes-pets) and Merck Animal Health (https://usa.petdiabetesmonth.com/). In addition, for those who would like to learn more about diabetes in general, the American Diabetes Association (https://www.diabetes.org/) has a wealth of information.

Ronnie Casey has been volunteering with the Tehama County Animal Care Center since relocating in 2011. A retired R.N., she strives to help animals in need within Tehama county. She can be reached atrmcredbluff@gmail.com.

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Diabetes affects dogs and cats as well - Red Bluff Daily News

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Home » Long Term Weight Loss » Diabetes affects dogs and cats as well – Red Bluff Daily News