Diabetes Mellitus
What
is diabetes mellitus?
Diabetes mellitus occurs when the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin.
Insulin is required for the body to efficiently use sugars, fats and proteins.
Diabetes most commonly occurs in middle age to older dogs and cats, but occasionally
occurs in young animals. When diabetes occurs in young animals, it is often
genetic and may occur in related animals. Diabetes mellitus occurs more commonly
in female dogs and in male cats.
What can predispose my pet to diabetes?
Certain conditions predispose a dog or cat to developing diabetes.
Animals that are overweight or those with inflammation of the pancreas are
predisposed to developing diabetes. Some drugs can interfere with insulin,
leading to diabetes.
What are the effects on the body of
insufficient insulin?
The body needs insulin to use sugar, fat and protein from the
diet for energy. Without insulin, sugar accumulates in the blood and spills
into the urine. Sugar in the urine causes the pet to pass large amounts of
urine and to drink lots of water. Levels of sugar in the brain control appetite.
Without insulin, the brain becomes sugar deprived and the animal is constantly
hungry, yet they may lose weight due to improper use of nutrients from the
diet. Untreated diabetic pets are more likely to develop infections and commonly
get bladder, kidney, or skin infections. Diabetic dogs, and rarely cats, can
develop cataracts in the eyes. Cataracts are caused by the accumulation of
water in the lens and can lead to blindness. Fat accumulates in the liver
of animals with diabetes. Less common signs of diabetes are weakness or abnormal
gait due to nerve or muscle dysfunction. There are two major forms of diabetes
in the dog and cat: 1) uncomplicated diabetes and 2) diabetes with ketoacidosis.
Pets with uncomplicated diabetes may have the signs just described but are
not extremely ill. Diabetic pets with ketoacidosis are very ill and may be
vomiting and depressed.
How
can my vet diagnose diabetes in my pet?
The diagnosis of diabetes
is made by finding a large increase in blood sugar and a large amount of sugar
in the urine. Animals, especially cats, stressed by having a blood sample
drawn, can have a temporary increase in blood sugar, but there is no sugar
in the urine. A blood screen of other organs is obtained to look for changes
in the liver, kidney and pancreas. A urine sample may be cultured to look
for infection of the kidneys or bladder. Diabetic patients with ketoacidosis
may have an elevation of waste products that are normally removed by the kidneys.
Can
diabetes be treated?
Yes but the treatment is
different for patients with uncomplicated diabetes and those with ketoacidosis.
Ketoacidotic diabetics are treated with intravenous fluids and rapid acting
insulin. This treatment is continued until the pet is no longer vomiting and
is eating, then the treatment is the same as for uncomplicated diabetes.
Diabetes is managed long term by the use of insulin once or twice a day. Some diabetic cats can be treated with oral medications instead of insulin injections, but the oral medications are rarely effective in the dog. Treating a diabetic animal takes commitment and effort but is usually rewarding and most animals respond well to treatment. We will often look at your pets diet and lifestyle and advise you on changes that could make the diabetes easier to control or even go into remission with time.
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