What Is Diabetes, and How Does It Affect Your Pet?
What Is Diabetes, and How Does It Affect Your Pet?
Diabetes mellitus is a disease that causes higher than normal blood sugar levels. Most of the food that we eat turns into glucose aka sugar, for the body to use for energy. A hormone called insulin that is made by the pancreas helps the glucose get into the cells. The body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use its own insulin as well as it should, which causes sugar to build up in your blood. Sadly, this disease doesn’t only affect people but also animals.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for diabetes. However, treatment options have improved and your pet can live a long, happy life.
Symptoms to watch out for:
· Drinks more water than usual
· Frequent urination
· Always hungry
· Cloudy eyes
· Less active and sleeps a lot
· Vomiting
The most important step to take care of your pet is noticing early signs of diabetes. They will have a better chance to live a longer, healthier life if you take them to the veterinarian in time.
Pets with diabetes will need a lifelong treatment including a special diet, lots of exercise, and in some cases insulin injections (typically for dogs). Diabetes is more likely to occur in overweight animals when access fat leads to insulin resistance that is why it is important to go on daily walks and keep your pet active. Going on walks will be good for you and your dog. It’s important to keep your pet’s blood sugar at a normal level, not too high and not too low.
Finding out that your four-legged friend has diabetes can be heart-breaking, but there are plenty of things you can do to help them. With the help of your veterinarian, planning and preparing their treatments can help them get back to their normal self. Managing your pet’s diabetes is not easy, it will take time and effort, but for their health and happiness, it’s well worth it.
Resources: https://usa.petdiabetesmonth.com/ https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/diabetes-pets#:~:text=Dogs%20and%20cats%20with%20diabetes,that%20can%20be%20life%2Dthreatening.