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Diabetes Mellitus is a disease that can effect both cats and dogs . It is a condition in which the pancreas cells have been damaged and aren't able to produce a hormone needed in the process to feed the cells of the body.
When a healthy pet eats; food is broken down and glucose (sugar) travels in the blood around the body to the cells to give them energy/food. Insulin is the (key) hormone that 'unlocks' the door to the cells and allows the sugar to enter. The pancreas is the factory that produces the hormone Insulin. In a diabetic patient the 'factory' has gone on strike and is only producing a small amount of keys (insulin) or the body is not recognizing it is there. If all the doors of the cells are locked the cells begin to starve and sugar will travel (unused) through the bloodstream. When there is so much glucose flowing in the blood (not going into the cells that need it) the body tries to flush it out by increasing drinking and urination |
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What are the common signs?
- Increased drinking
- Increased Urination
- Increased appetite
- Weight loss
- Muscle wasting (sunken looking)
- lethargy
- seizures
- diabetic neurophathy (cat walks on its back hocks instead of feet)
- Cataracts in dogs
- Overweight cats or dogs
- certain breeds:
- Bichon, Miniature schnauzer, Samoyed, Toy Poodle, Yorkshire terrier, Burnese cats are just some examples
- Patients that have been on certain medications such as steroids
- Genetics have been proven to play a role in a patients risk of diabetes
| Understanding Diabetes - Alphatrak |
