Diabetes is a disorder caused by a deficiency of insulin, which is produced in the pancreas. It causes the level of sugar in the blood to become very high because insulin is needed to move sugar from the bloodstream into the tissues. While it can occur at any age, it is more common in middle-aged to older dogs and cats. Risk factors include obesity, recurring pancreatitis, older female dogs who are not spayed, Cushing’s disease, and long-term steroid use.
Other problems that can develop in diabetic patients include kidney failure, increased blood pressure, bacterial infections, cataracts in dogs that can lead to blindness, and neurological problems that can cause weakness and a low hind leg stance in cats. Signs that you may observe at home if your pet has diabetes include an increase in drinking, urinating, and eating. Weight loss, lethargy, blindness, decrease in grooming behavior and the decrease in jumping ability in cats can also be observed.
Your veterinarian can test your furry friend for diabetes with a simple blood test that checks the concentration of sugar in the blood. They can confirm by checking for sugar in the urine. At the same time as diagnosis, your vet will probably also want to test for a urinary tract infection and a life-threatening complication called diabetic ketoacidosis.
The goal of treatment is to decrease the clinical signs that the owner sees, prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and stabilize body weight. Diabetes is treated with insulin, given as injections every 12 hours at the same time as a meal. There are special prescription commercial diets for diabetics as well, which are generally lower in fat and higher in fiber to help stabilize glucose fluctuations. The diabetic patient must be monitored closely with glucose curves. A glucose curve is when the pet is dropped off at the vet clinic and blood glucose readings are done throughout the day. These are done weekly until the patient is well regulated, or the readings are no longer exceptionally high. Once regulated, they are done every 6-12 months or as needed based on your pet’s clinical signs (thirst and urination) and weight. These tests are important to make sure your pet is receiving the correct amount of insulin. Other issues such as resistance or increased tolerance of insulin or remission from diabetes in a cat are possible, so it is important to closely monitor all diabetic patients. Another test we may perform is a Fructosamine level. This gives the average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 weeks.
Diabetes Mellitus has a great prognosis if the owner is committed to treatment and long-term monitoring. Avoiding the chronic complications associated with the diabetic state is paramount to maintaining a good quality of life for these patients.