Just like people, cats and dogs develop diabetes. Dogs are more commonly affected by human type 1 diabetes and are always insulin dependent. Cats are more like overweight individuals who develop the disease due to being overweight and decreased insulin sensitivity.
While they are managed in similar ways, cats caught early on and treated appropriately may be able to go into remission with dietary adjustments and weight loss. Dogs, being insulin dependent, will not go into remission.
While some cats can go into remission, the majority will continue to require insulin. Diabetes can be managed, but in most cases, it is for life. If you, as their person, work closely with your veterinarian, you can likely achieve a good quality of life for your animal companion.
Insulin type:
- Cats do well with insulins such as Glargine and PZI
- Dogs often respond better to Vetsulin
Diet:
- Dogs do well with high fiber diets (talk to your veterinarian for further recommendations)
- Cats do better with high protein diets and low carbohydrate diets
Diagnosing is the first step. Early signs often are:
- Increased appetite
- Increased drinking
- Lots of urinating
- Weight loss
More serious forms of diabetes include Diabetic ketoacidosis or DKA, This is where the insulin levels are so low or receptors for insulin so poor, that the blood glucose (sugar) cannot be absorbed into the cells and the body uses another pathway to create nutrients for him or herself – they start utilizing their own muscle and tissue to get glucose absorbed. These products created by the body are called ketones.
The development and progression of Ketones suggests the disease is progressing further and serios life-threatening events can occur.
With some commitment and time, you can get your animal companion to a state where the blood sugar numbers are stable, no ketones develop and symptoms such as weight loss, increased appetite and thirst are no longer present. This route, while not fun, is doable and can create years more like this,
If you have any or all of the mentioned symptoms, please bring them to a veterinarian to help diagnose what’s been occurring. summited is a treatment, it will be life log, If it seems overwhelming, well, it’s because in the beginning, you will make mistakes, which is why we’re here to help.
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