Diabetes Mellitus
What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know

What is diabetes mellitus?

Diabetes is a complex disorder resulting from an inability of the pancreatic islet cells to secrete insulin.  This disorder causes a high blood glucose and increased glucose in the urine.  Clinical symptoms include increased urination, increased thirst, increased appetite, and weight loss.  Diabetes mellitus is a common disease of dogs and cats and can be fatal if incorrectly treated.

What is the treatment for diabetes mellitus?

Treatment for this disease is quite complex and requires close monitoring by owners and Veterinarians.  There are two main goals with treatment:

•Dietary Control
•Insulin Therapy

What is involved with dietary management?

Dietary management of diabetes mellitus is very different for dogs and cats.  In dogs, the main focus is to give dietary fiber.  Diets such as Hill Prescription W/D are recommended.  In cats, the focus of dietary management is to increase the protein content to greater than 50%.  A diet like Purina’s Prescription Feline D/M is the best choice.

When to feed a pet with diabetes is also important.  Most pets should be offered food morning and night (at the time they receive their insulin shot).  However, there should also be some food available to them during and throughout the day.

What is involved with insulin therapy?

There are many different types of insulin and your Veterinarian will determine the best one for your pet.  Some are dosed once daily and some are dosed twice daily.  All are administered subcutaneously using an insulin dosing syringe. 

How is my pet regulated?

Dogs and cats are both regulated by checking regular blood glucose levels.  When to test and how often to test your pet’s blood sugar will be determined by your Veterinarian.  It will vary from pet to pet.  It is critical that you follow the schedule as directed.

Your Veterinarian may tell you to give the morning insulin and bring your pet in for a blood glucose test so many hours after that injection.  The timing is important….so watch the clock!

What other testing is recommended?

Most Veterinarians will recommend a full blood profile to evaluate your pet for any underlying diseases.  Urinalysis to check for concurrent cystitis is often performed.  Once the pet is started on insulin, Fructosamine testing can assist with monitoring an adjusting the dosage.

Why did my pet need antibiotics when first diagnosed with diabetes?

Diabetic patients are prone to infections.  Bladder infections, skin infections, and upper respiratory infections are common.  Many Veterinarians will start pets on antibiotics as a precaution because trying to regulate a pet with an underlying infection can be difficult.

Learn more about diabetes mellitus…..Visit these great sites….

Learn more about the importance of dietary fiber for dogs with diabetes, click HERE
Excessive Thirst is one of the Most Common Symptoms of Diabetes
Have a Diabetic Cat.  Get more Information, Click HERE
Print the Winrock Animal Clinic Diabetes Worksheet HERE
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