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Diabetes
mellitus, or DM, occurs in an estimated one out of every
500 dogs and one out of every 400 cats.
DM
usually occurs in middle-aged dogs (6 to 9 years) with
females being three times more likely to develop the
condition than males.
The most
commonly affected breeds include German shepherd dogs,
schnauzers, beagles, poodles, golden retrievers, and
keeshonds.
There is
no breed predisposition among cats, but castrated males
are more commonly affected. DM has been diagnosed in
cats of all ages, but typically occurs in older cats.
The cells
of the body use a sugar known as glucose for food.
Glucose can only be absorbed and utilized by the cells
in the presence of insulin, a hormone produced by the
pancreas.
If
insulin is not available to move glucose into the cells
it accumulates in the bloodstream creating a condition
called hyperglycemia.
Most dogs
and 5-20 percent of cats are affected by Type I or
"insulin dependent" diabetes, a condition
where the pancreas produces no insulin at all.
The
remaining 80-95 percent of cats will suffer from Type II
or "non-insulin dependent" diabetes, a
condition where the pancreas produces some insulin, but
not enough.
The most
commonly seen signs of DM in cats and dogs include
excessive drinking, excessive urination, excessive
eating, weight loss or weight gain, and dehydration.
In cats
the rear legs may become weak or wobbly (due to nerve
damage). In dogs, vision problems and cataracts may
become apparent.
To
diagnose DM your veterinarian we use a complete blood
count, serum chemistry and urinalysis.
These
tests will be used to confirm a persistent fasting
hyperglycemia and identify concurrent infections.
The goals
of treatment are to reduce or eliminate the signs
associated with persistent hyperglycemia and to prevent
cataracts, nerve damage and other diabetic
complications.
This
means a low carbohydrate diet for cats and a high-fiber,
moderate carbohydrate diet for dogs. Numerous
prescription diets are available. Insulin injections
will probably need to be given once or twice a day.
Although this may seem daunting at first, most people do
quite well with just a little practice.
Cats and
dogs may be treated with animal insulin or with human
synthetic insulin.
The type
of insulin used will vary between pets and may require
some experimentation.
If left
untreated diabetes is life threatening. However, early
diagnosis and treatment may prevent nerve damage,
blindness, and even lead to remission in many cats.
Because
early diagnosis is so important, our hospital offers
wellness blood testing during yearly exams. As always,
if you have any questions or concerns contact your
veterinarian.
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