November is Diabetes Month

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus, the clinical name for “sugar diabetes,” is a disease that affects the level of glucose, or sugar, in your dog or cat's blood. Diabetes results when the body makes too little insulin or doesn’t process insulin properly. Insulin affects how your dog or cat's body uses food.

Did you know?

Diabetes is one of the most common endocrine diseases found in cats. Approximately 1 cat in 200 and 1 dog in 500 develops diabetes and that number is expected to increase.

The most common type of diabetes in cats is Type II, 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.

Diabetes typically occurs when dogs are in between 4 to 14 years of age. Un-spayed female dogs are twice as likely as males to suffer from diabetes.

A diabetic dog may want to eat constantly, but will be malnourished because its cells can't absorb glucose.

With consistent, effective treatment, lifestyle adjustments, and adequate monitoring, a diabetic animal should have the same life expectancy as a nondiabetic animal of the same age.



Signs of Diabetes

• Drinks more water than usual (polydypsia)
• Urinates more than usual,has "accidents" in house (polyuria)
• Always acts hungry (polyphagia), but maintains or looses weight
• Is less active or sleeps more (lethargic)
• Has thining, dry and dull hair

Who is at Risk 

Risk factors for diabetes in cats include:

• Genetic tendencies 
• Insulin- resistant disorders or diseases (pancreatitis, hyperthyroidism)
• Obesity
• Physical Inactivity
• Indoor lifestyle

Risk factors for diabetes in dogs include:

• Middle aged to older dogs 
• Un-spayed females
• Genetic tendencies
• Obesity

My dog may be diabetic, Now what??

Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to determine if diabetes could be a concern. 

Information obtained at  petdiabetesmonth.com