As with people, the incidence of diabetes in cats and dogs is increasing. Not so much of a problem in decades past, diabetes now affects as many as one in 50 of the animals, some statistics show, especially pudgy pets.
Dogs are often diagnosed with diabetes because the owner notices the dog has suddenly gone blind due to the rapid cataract development that often occurs in diabetic dogs.
Cats are often diagnosed with diabetes because the owner notices the cat has weak rear legs (often referred to as called diabetic neuropathy, ) or it is walking on its hocks.
Diabetes results when the body doesn't produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that processes glucose. As a result, the body's tissues cannot use glucose for energy, and the sugar builds up in the blood and urine.Veterinarians say that while obesity clearly is linked to diabetes in pets, it appears to contribute to the disease differently in cats and dogs.
Fat cats are prone to diabetes because they develop insulin resistance, meaning their bodies don't effectively use insulin. As a result, the pancreas pumps out more insulin as well as another hormone called amylin.
Risk Factors-
- OBESITY - both obese cats and dogs are at risk for developing type II diabetes. Cats over 15 pounds are at high risk.
- DIESTRUS in the unspayed female dog. The period of sexual inactivity after the female is receptive.
Symptoms:
— Drinks unusual amounts of water
— Urinates much more frequently
— Eats ravenously but still loses weight
- genetic
- infectious viral diseases
- immune-mediated destruction of the pancreatic beta cells
- pancreatitis
- drugs: glucocorticoids (steroids) and progestagens (reproductive hormones)
- predisposing diseases: hyperadrenocorticism, acromegaly
If you suspect that your pet has diabetes, consult your vet. It can often be easily managed.
For more information http://www.petdiabetes.org/
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