Did you know cats and dogs get diabetes?

JESSY, a lovable, fluffy Yorkshire terrier, was just three years old when she started appearing out of sorts. Worried about her worsening condition, Jessy’s humans took her to the veterinarian, where they received a surprising diagnosis: Jessy had diabetes.

According to Dr Tarryn Dent, Business Unit Lead, Companion Animals, at global animal health company, Zoetis South Africa: “One typically thinks of diabetes as a human condition, but statistics suggest one in every 308 dogs will develop the disease, with female dogs being most at risk. And for cats, the stats are a little higher: one in 230. Neutered cats appear to have an increased risk.”

What is diabetes in pets?

Dr Dent explains, “When your pet eats, the food gets digested to release glucose, which is what cells use for energy,” explains Dr Dent. “The act of eating triggers your pet’s pancreas to start producing insulin, a hormone that binds to special receptors in their cells and acts like a key that allows glucose to enter the cell, so it can be used for energy.”

Just like humans, cats and dogs get diabetes when their pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it produces enough but their body doesn’t respond to insulin properly.

There are two types of diabetes in cats and dogs:

Type 1 diabetes: More common in dogs, this is the type of diabetes where your pet’s pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.

Type 2 diabetes: This type of diabetes is where your pet’s pancreas produces insulin, but their cells don’t respond to insulin properly. It’s more common in cats.

Signs of diabetes in dogs and cats

Diabetes is a serious condition in dogs and cats that, left untreated, can lead to complications such as blindness, nerve damage and organ failure. While there’s no cure, it can be managed to lower your pet’s risk of complications and allow them to enjoy a happy life. So, the earlier you pick it up, the better.

Look out for these signs:

• Weakness or tiredness: Is your cat lying around when they would usually want to play? Does your dog get tired five minutes into a walk or seem reluctant to go in the first place?

• Extreme thirst: Are you having to fill their water bowl more often?

• Frequent urination: Is your pet waking you to go out at night when they used to sleep through? Or are they going out more often than before?

• Increased appetite: Has your pet food bill gone up? Is your dog or cat sitting by their empty food bowl after they just polished off a big helping?

• Weight loss: Is your pet looking thinner even though they’re eating well?

Any of these signs could be a red flag and should be run past your veterinarian.

Diagnosing and managing diabetes in dogs and cats

There are various tests your veterinarian can run if they suspect your dog or cat may have diabetes. Most of them involve taking a blood or urine sample. In some cases, your veterinarian may also want to examine your cat or dog’s internal organs with an x-ray or ultrasound.

If your pet is diagnosed with diabetes, try not to feel like there’s no hope. Diabetes in dogs and cats can be managed, especially if it’s caught early. And there’s plenty you can do at home to help make life easier for your pet.

• Exercise: Make sure your pet gets regular exercise to lower their blood glucose levels.
• Diet: Feed your pet healthy, veterinarian-approved food and don’t give them treats from the dinner table.
• Stress: Anxiety can affect your dog or cat’s blood glucose levels. As far as possible, avoid triggers that make them anxious, like being left alone at home for a long time.
• Regular testing: You can test your pet’s blood glucose levels using an at-home testing kit, like Zoetis’ animal specific glucometer (Alphatrak). It only takes a tiny blood sample and is easy to use.
• Injections: Your pet may need insulin injections. Your veterinarian can show you how to do this at home, so your pet doesn’t have to go through the stress of frequent veterinarian visits.

Once they knew what they were dealing with, Jessy’s humans learnt to manage her condition with a healthy diet, and at-home injections. She enjoyed a happy, active life, filled with love and plenty of tail wags.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE