Signs of diabetes in dogs
- Lethargy: If your dog is lethargic it could be a sign of diabetes. However, your dog’s lethargy could also be caused by any number of serious medical conditions. If your dog’s lethargy is persistent, you should take the dog to a veterinarian for a checkup.
- Excessive urination: Dogs with diabetes will exhibit excessive urination because their body is attempting to reduce excess blood sugar by expelling it in urine.
- Excessive water consumption: Dogs with diabetes will be extremely thirsty because the body needs to replace the liquids that it is losing because of the excessive urination.
Risk factors for diabetes in dogs
- Age: Diabetes is most common in middle age and older dogs.
- Genetics: There is a genetic component to diabetes and it is more like to occur in related animals.
- Breed: Certain breeds of dogs, such as Schnauzers, Poodles Westies and Pugs seem to be more susceptible to diabetes
- Weight: Overweight dogs are more likely to develop diabetes than normal weight dogs
- Sex: Female dogs seem to be more susceptible to diabetes than male dogs.
- Drugs: Certain drugs that are used to treat other medical conditions that your dog might have can cause diabetes.
Treatments
Diabetes in dogs with type 1 diabetes can be managed through insulin injections. Diabetes in dogs with type 2 diabetes can sometimes be managed through a restricted diet, but insulin injections may be required.
Signs of diabetes in cats
The signs of diabetes in cats are remarkably similar to those of a dog, and include, lethargy, frequent urination, excessive thirst, a large appetite and unexplained weight loss.
Risk Factors for diabetes in cats
The risk factors for diabetes in a cat are also similar to those of a dog. Factors that increase the risk for diabetes in cats include:
- Age: Diabetes is most common in middle age and older cats.
- Genetics: There is a genetic component to diabetes and it is more like to occur in related animals.
- Breed: Any breed of cat can get diabetes. Genetic predisposition to diabetes has been recognized in other animal species and recently Burmese cats have been found to be predisposed to the development of diabetes.
- Weight: Overweight cats are more susceptible to diabetes than normal weight cats Sex: Male cats are more susceptible to diabetes than female cats.
- Drugs: Certain drugs that are used to treat other medical conditions that your cat might have can cause diabetes.
Treatments
Diabetes in cats with type 1diabetes can be managed through insulin injections. Diabetes in cats with type 2 diabetes can sometimes be managed through a restricted diet, but insulin injections may be required.
If you carefully monitor your pets blood sugar levels, and give them treatments which will help them to maintain a healthy blood sugar level, they should be able to live a relatively long and healthy life.
Resources:
http://www.2ndchance.info/diabetes2.htm
