Common Symptoms of Diabetes in Pets: What to Watch Out

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is an endocrine disorder that affects the metabolism of glucose, or blood sugar.

In pets with diabetes:

● Their bodies may either fail to produce enough insulin (common in canines),

● Or their bodies may not respond effectively to the insulin they produce (common in felines).

Both scenarios lead to an excess of sugar in the pet's bloodstream, which can cause issues with the kidneys, eyes, skin, and other body systems. If left untreated or poorly managed, diabetes can impact all of a pet's organ systems and lead to fatal consequences.

Common Symptoms

Early symptoms of diabetes in cats and dogs include increased frequency of urination, excessive thirst, increased appetite, unexplained weight loss, and lethargy.

In more severe cases, symptoms may include decreased appetite, cataracts (in dogs), vomiting, dehydration, weakness, abnormal gait, and muscle atrophy (indicative of nerve damage).

Diagnosis and Treatment

Veterinarians can diagnose diabetes in pets through blood and urine tests. They may also test for thyroid levels, progesterone levels (in dogs), or detect feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus in cats.

● Weight loss can improve diabetes in some overweight cats. Maintaining your pet's health is crucial.

● Feeding your pet twice a day, spaced 12 hours apart, can provide the necessary calories and help maintain stable blood sugar levels and regulate insulin.

● Athome care includes regularly monitoring your pet's blood sugar levels, checking for glucose and ketones in their urine, and recording their weight.

When obtaining insulin prescriptions for your pet from a retail pharmacy (not a veterinary clinic), ensure that the insulin type you receive matches the prescription from your veterinarian. Some insulin types are not suitable for diabetic pets.

● Always use the correct size and type of syringe to accurately administer insulin doses; insulin overdose can lead to seizures, coma, or death.

Preventing Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting middleaged and older pets.

Help prevent diabetes by keeping your pet at an ideal weight, controlling their food intake, and providing opportunities for exercise.

Discuss the best dietary options for your pet's specific health needs and activity level with your veterinarian.

Your pet should have at least one annual checkup to assess health issues. And given how quickly health conditions can change, older pets should see their veterinarian twice a year.