Tips on Diabetes In Dogs and Cats
You probably know someone with diabetes mellitus, a disease characterized by abnormally high blood sugar (glucose) levels. In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated 830 million cases in people worldwide. Diabetes also is a common disease of dogs and cats, and it’s our focus for this month.
Diabetes mellitus occurs because either (1) the body is not producing enough insulin or (2) the body cannot respond appropriately to insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and is usually released in response to high blood sugar, as occurs immediately following a meal. Insulin takes sugar, or glucose, from the blood and brings it into the body’s cells to be used for energy. Dogs diagnosed with diabetes are usually unable to make enough insulin due to damage to the cells in the pancreas that make the hormone. Diabetic cats often are producing insulin but an underlying disease—often obesity—lessens the effect of this hormone. This condition is called insulin resistance.
What Are The Clinical Signs of Diabetes In Dogs And Cats?
When do we suspect a pet might be diabetic? The most common clinical signs of diabetes in dogs and cats are as follows:
- Excessive urination and thirst: When glucose levels are elevated, this sugar enters the urine. Fluid follows sugar, creating a diuretic effect and resulting in excessive urination. Increased water intake occurs to compensate for increased fluid loss.
- Weight loss: Failure to get glucose out of the blood and into the cells where it can be used is, essentially, a form of starvation. Many diabetic pets will have a voracious appetite, but they simply can’t maintain weight because they’re burning fat to meet their body’s energy demands.
How Is Diabetes In Dogs And Cats Diagnosed?
If your veterinarian suspects diabetes mellitus based on clinical signs and exam findings, he or she will recommend blood work and evaluation of the urine (urinalysis). Diabetes is diagnosed based on high levels of glucose in both the blood and the urine. Other tests may be needed to look for complications associated with diabetes. One such complication is a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (also known as DKA). DKA develops when diabetes has gone undetected long enough that the body has burned an excessive amount of fat. The metabolism of fat leads to the development of ketones. These ketones, in turn, acidify the blood, resulting in a host of complications, including lethargy, gastrointestinal upset, and worsening insulin resistance. DKA patients often require hospitalization and intensive care.
What’s The Treatment For Diabetes In Dogs And Cats?
If your dog is diagnosed with diabetes, insulin therapy and dietary management will be prescribed. Insulin is given as an injection, typically twice daily. There are a variety of insulin types that can be prescribed, including Vetsulin, Humulin-N, Novolin-N, and others. Which one is used will likely depend on your veterinarian’s clinical experiences with each, the availability of insulin, and the cost of insulin. In diabetic dogs, it’s important that a good quality diet is fed consistently as two equal meals 12 hours apart to coincide with the twice daily administration of insulin. There are prescription diets available that are ideal in the management of diabetes, including Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d.
If your cat is diagnosed with diabetes, there may be an alternative to insulin therapy. If your cat is diabetic but has no other significant health issues, an oral medication can be prescribed in lieu of insulin injections. Senvelgo (velagliflozin) and Bexacat (bexagliflozin) are in a class of drugs called SGLT2 inhibitors. They help the body eliminate excess blood glucose in the urine. These medications cannot be used in dogs. However, there are still many cats for whom insulin therapy is the best choice. In cats, ProZinc and Lantus are commonly used. We typically recommend a high-protein, low carbohydrate diet like Purina DM for diabetic cats.
Ongoing Management and Monitoring of Diabetic Patients
Regardless of the treatment path chosen, diabetic patients need regular monitoring. Weight and clinical signs will be tracked. Glucose levels also need to be evaluated. Sometimes, this is done at home with a glucometer or a continuous glucose monitor. A glucometer measures blood glucose using a small drop of blood, most commonly collected from the ear tip or a toe pad. A continuous glucose monitor is a sensor that is applied to the skin and continuously monitors glucose levels, reporting those results to a smartphone app or a dedicated electronic reader. Both strategies also can be used in the clinic to assess how well your pet is responding to treatment. Other tests, including fructosamine, urinalysis, and evaluation for blood ketones also may be needed, depending on the patient. Your veterinarian will provide specific monitoring instructions.
Many diabetic dogs—but not cats—will develop cataracts. Cataract surgery can be performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist, restoring vision in these patients.
What Should I Do If I Suspect My Dog Or Cat Is Diabetic?
If your dog or cat shows symptoms consistent with diabetes, contact us to schedule an appointment. Weight loss and excessive urination/thirst aren’t specific to diabetes, and another disease process could certainly be present. A discussion of clinical signs, a good physical exam, and comprehensive lab work should go a long way toward determining the correct course of action for your pet.
Need Help With Diabetes In Dogs Or Cats In Your Household? Contact Alford Avenue Veterinary Hospital, in Hoover, Alabama – for an appointment to get your pet’s blood sugar on track.