Did you know that dogs and cats can suffer from diabetes? It is in fact one of the most common diseases in our faithful companions over the age of seven, although diabetes can also be diagnosed in young animals.
Type 1 diabetes, present in 99% of diabetic dogs, occurs when the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas is insufficient to allow the body's cells to absorb the blood sugar (glucose) which then accumulates in the blood (hyperglycemia) thus causing several effects on the animal suffering from it. Type 2 diabetes, present in approximately 30% of diabetic cats, occurs when there is resistance to insulin by the body's cells. This resistance does not allow insulin to do its job and also results in an increase in blood sugar.
When the sugar carried by the blood cannot be adequately absorbed by the diabetic animal, the latter will always be hungry but, even if it eats more than normal, it will still lose weight. The high blood sugar level will exceed the filtration capacity of the kidneys and the sugar will end up in the urine. To dilute this sugary urine, the diabetic animal will drink a large amount of water and, as a result, produce a large amount of urine. It is also common for a diabetic animal to escape into the house even though it has been clean for years.
The 4 main clinical signs of diabetes include:
• increased water consumption
• increased amount of urine produced
• weight loss
• increased appetite
Risk factors:
• Obesity
• Heat period in older females
• Chronic cortisone use
• Chronic pancreatitis
If your veterinarian suspects diabetes, a blood and urine test will be recommended. High blood sugar and the presence of sugar in the urine will confirm the diagnosis. If no treatment is given to a diabetic animal, the body's attempt to manage the high sugar level will produce ketone bodies (glucose breakdown products) in the blood, which will inevitably lead to a diabetic coma and ultimately death. Given their sugary blood, diabetics are also more prone to infections.
It is therefore important to identify and treat diabetes quickly, especially since early action will facilitate treatment and may provide more therapeutic options. Indeed, in some cases, the use of specialized food may be sufficient to treat diabetes. However, for the majority of cases, insulin injections are necessary to effectively manage the condition. Oral hypoglycemics generally have disappointing results. Your veterinarian will be able to discuss with you the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment and will suggest the most appropriate one for your pet's needs.
Once the treatment has started, the work has only just begun! Monitoring a diabetic patient is indeed essential for the success of the treatment. It is necessary to ensure that the amount of insulin used is adequate and safe. At home, the owner of a diabetic pet will notice, if the treatment is effective, a decrease in the amount of urine produced, a decrease in the amount of water consumed and stability or weight gain.
To adjust the insulin dosage, your veterinarian will make a blood sugar curve (several blood sugar measurements taken over 24 hours) to ensure that the sugar level is adequate throughout the day. Once the right insulin dosage has been found, regular monitoring by your veterinarian will be recommended every 3 to 6 months because adjustments are often necessary, particularly during the first year of therapy. In some cases, there may even be a complete remission of diabetes leading to the cessation of treatment.
Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, avoiding obesity and promoting exercise and a good diet will help you reduce the risk of developing diabetes. As such, the good lifestyle habits advocated for humans are also useful for our 4-legged friends!!