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What is Diabetes Mellitus?
Diabetes Mellitus is a disease which causes
increased sugar levels in the blood of your pet. The most common cause
of Diabetes is lack of the hormone Insulin in the body. Insulin is made
by the pancreas and is responsible for allowing the body to use the
sugar that is derived from the food we eat. After a meal, much of our
diet is converted into pure sugar (glucose). This sugar stays in the
blood until the insulin "opens the gate" to allow it into the muscle
cells where it is used for fuel. Without insulin, the sugar stays in the
bloodstream and the body has to rely on other, less efficient fuels to
operate on. As a result, the pet tends to lose weight even though they
are very hungry. The increased amount of sugar in the bloodstream can
lead to mental confusion, increased risk of infection (especially
urinary tract) and cataracts. The other cause of Diabetes is resistance
to the effects of insulin in the body. This can occur when certain drugs
are in excess in the body, either from over production by the body or by
administration in the form of medicine. In pets, this type is far less
common than lack of insulin.
What are the symptoms of Diabetes?
The hallmark symptoms of Diabetes are:
The symptoms of this disease can be subtle,
and many owners never notice the early signs until the pet has lost
significant amounts of weight or becomes very ill!
Which animals can get Diabetes?
Both cats and dogs can get diabetes. Overweight animals are much more
likely to develop this disease as are older pets, especially animals
with a history of pancreatitis. Symptoms may worsen when pets go through
periods of stress, or during the estrus cycle as the reproductive
hormones and stress hormones antagonize the effects of insulin. In
addition, certain drugs such as cortisone and progestins may cause
diabetes in otherwise healthy animals.
Why do the some pets get so sick from Diabetes?
Most pets can handle high blood sugar for some time. However, using fats
as an alternative fuel source can lead to severe changes in the pH of
the blood. When the pH of the blood gets too acidic, the pets become
very ill. These pets require intensive care to get them through the
crisis, but will often times be able to be regulated on insulin.
Can Diabetes be prevented?
It is difficult to prevent diabetes. Maintaining proper weight and
avoiding offending drugs noted above are the best way to prevent this
disease.
How is Diabetes Treated?
In most cases, diabetes is treated by replacing the missing insulin.
This is done by injection as insulin can not be absorbed from the
stomach. The response to therapy is usually very rewarding. Most pets
need to take insulin for the remainder of their lives although in some
cases the need for insulin may resolve after underlying problems are
addressed such as obesity, administration of certain drugs that lead to
diabetes (cortisone, progestins).
Treatment Basics:
It important that you understand a few basic rules when treating your
diabetic pet:
In order for insulin to work, there must be "fuel" (food) to burn in
your pet. Otherwise, the blood sugar will go too low!
Therefore--Never give insulin if your pet won't eat!
If you make a mistake during the injection, (i.e. some goes on the floor
or on the skin,) NEVER GIVE A SECOND INJECTION. IF YOU DO, YOU RISK
OVERDOSING
Handle insulin properly--Never shake and
always refrigerate.
Know the sign of overdosage (low blood
sugar): Weakness Whining Dizziness Seizures
If any of these occur, give your pet a few teaspoons of kayro (corn
syrup)syrup (This will bring the blood sugar up quickly) Then feed a
small meal. Consult with the doctor before giving the next dose of
insulin. If you can not get in touch, reduce the amount of insulin by
1-2 units to be on the safe side.
Recheck blood sugar levels regularly. Diabetics' needs change over time,
and therefore the insulin dose must be adjusted. Once your pet is
regulated well, re-evaluations every 6-16 weeks are normal. At that time
we will check the blood sugar and evaluate the urine for signs of
infection.
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