Diabetes is a chronic disease caused by lack of insulin production by the pancreas. Glucose or blood sugar must interact with insulin to move from the bloodstream into body tissues where it’s used as the body’s main source of growth, energy and repair. In the past decade, veterinary medicine has seen the same increase in diabetes as human medicine. Diabetes affects one in 100 cats – approximately 800,000 cats in the U.S. – and one in 500 dogs. Pet obesity often leads to diabetes and results from indoor confinement, especially in the city, decreased physical activity, and feeding high carbohydrate foods.
Managing Diabetes At Home
Long-term success with diabetes in a pet depends on the pet owners’ thorough and complete understanding of the disease and its manifestations. Many factors beyond a veterinarian’s control can affect the animal’s blood glucose level, such as changes in activity, stress, and diet. Do not be discouraged; insulin requirements differ for each animal, and it may take time to find the correct dosage. In cats this is often a demanding task as their responses can be transient and deceptive. Listed below are a combination of factors that must be carried out at home to assist in the control of the disease.
Weight Loss and Diet Change
For cats a high protein, low carbohydrate diet is necessary as well as an adequate weight loss plan if obesity exists or diabetes is present. Animal General recommends the Purina DM formula or Hill’s M/D Prescription Diet for cats and Hill’s W/D Prescription Diet for dogs. Food should be offered twice a day at the same time and immediately prior to administering insulin. In dogs, a diet high in fiber and complex carbohydrates is preferred. Monitor your pet’s appetite. Ravenous eating can be a sign that blood glucose is too high and needs further adjustments.
Exercise
Exercise can be achieved with the use of throw and wiggle-jiggle toys for your dog or cat. Of course there is no substitute for a good walk or visit to the local run for your dog. Be consistent with your plan. Watch for lethargy, weakness, and depression.
Insulin
If insulin injections are required, your vet can instruct
you on how to accomplish this. It is a very simple procedure, and one that your pet will hardly notice. Oral hypoglycemic medications may be prescribed at first, but over time injections may be easier to administer. Insulin injections are always given after meals. Animal General highly recommends the video available at Cornell University’s Feline Health Center website for guidance in giving injections: http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/node/281
Glucose Level
Check your pet’s blood glucose at least once weekly
and log this information. You can learn to do this with a blood glucose meter or Keto-Diastix Reagent Strips. Keto-Diastix strips are a fast, convenient way of testing urine for the presence and concentration of glucose and ketones. Glucose levels on the strips should read between 100mg/dL and 250 mg/dL as a well-regulated diabetic always has a little bit of sugar in the urine.
Blood glucose curves are required to fine tune the insulin dose and achieve the best possible resolution. A curve is usually performed over 12-24 hours in the hospital.
Once your pet is on maintenance therapy and its condition is stabilized, blood work and blood pressure checks should occur every 4-6 months. Dazed behavior, excessive drinking, and increased urination are indications of heightened glucose level.
Indications for Additional Regulations
There are a number of clinical signs that may suggest a need for adjustment to your medical plan to ensure that your pet is properly regulated. These signals in a non-diabetic pet may foreshadow the onset of disease. These indicators are listed below. They are also mentioned in the text under the categories where they are most likely to occur. If you observe any of these signs in your pet, contact your veterinarian for an immediate consultation:
• Significant increase in thirst and fluid intake and increased urination.
• Failure to make it to the litter box or outdoors.
• Distinct change in appetite.
• Weight loss in the presence of voracious eating.
• Decreased activity, weakness, depression, lethargy.
• Change in gait or walking (walking on hocks).
• Poor coat.
• Increased bacterial infections, especially of theurinary tract.
Once animals have been stabilized on insulin, most are able to lead a happy, healthy life. Diabetes is a chronic disease that can be managed with close observation, dedication to a treatment plan, and good communication with your veterinarian. Thus armed you can be hopeful of many additional years with your companion animal.
Special thanks to Sally Yang, DVM for her assistance with this article.