Diabetes

Recently I read a statistic about diabetes. It said that there has been a 900% rise in diabetes cases in pets since 2011 in cats and dogs in a 5 year study on 5000 animals ( by Animal Friends Insurance's). Now this seems like an astonishing figure to me. So I thought can our pets get both types of diabetes and what are the symptoms. So I did a bit of research and here is what I found. 

Can pets get both types of diabetes:

The short answer is yes. Many of our pets can get diabetes from sheep to horses to cats and dogs they can all get diabetes. This is both types of diabetes type 1 and 2 meaning that their bodies can't get the glucose from their food into their body cells. 

Symptoms:

Some of the symptoms you can look for if you feel you pet has diabetes are: 

• Weight loss ( but increased appetite)

• excessive thirst and urination 

• breakdown of body fat 

• lower appetite 

• pungent breath (chemical smell) 

How to tell if your pet is experiencing hypoglycaemia:

• seizure 

•wobbliness 

• weakness

• dullness

• sleepiness

• restlessness 

• coma 

If you feel this is happening to your pet don't leave them overnight because it can lead to dangerous health problems. Blindness in dogs or nerve damage and hind-end weakness in cats. 

Treatment:

Insulin is normally the treatment for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Owners should talk to their vets about the best way to prepare insulin and how much is needed. The insulin should be kept in the fridge and mixed before use by rolling not shaking. Clip hair where the injection is going to be made. Monitor pets glucose levels. With proper treatment a pet can live a normal healthy life. 

Prevention:

Feed animals with diabetes on dry or canned food. Make sure to exercise the animals every day because having a obese pet can increase their risk of getting diabetes because the excess fat can cause insulin resistance. 

I hope this helps. I understand not many people will read this but I feel that this matter is important for all of our pets health.