What is Pet Diabetes?

Pet diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a condition where the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone needed to transfer glucose (blood sugar) into cells and produce energy. Lack of insulin leaves chronically high glucose levels in the blood, which causes diabetes and can lead to liver and kidney problems. That’s why diagnosis and treatment from our veterinarian in Wayne is crucial.

Regular pet wellness visits are the best way to catch diabetes early. Pets with diabetes typically require treatment and disease management throughout their lives. If your pet has diabetes, be sure to visit your Wayne vet often and schedule an extra visit if you should notice any changes in your pet’s behavior or energy level.

Risk Factors for Pet Diabetes

Older, overweight cats are the most likely to develop diabetes. Diabetes occurs somewhat less often in dogs, hamsters, other small mammals and birds. Diabetes in reptiles is fairly unlikely.

Besides species, the following factors make diabetes more likely to occur in your pet:

  • Obesity
  • Lack of exercise
  • Unhealthy diet
  • Genetics, heredity
  • Pancreatic inflammation
  • Hormone therapy
  • Immune disorders

Symptoms of Diabetes in Pets

Animals with diabetes must break down fat for energy, which is more difficult than breaking down sugar, and results in weight loss.

Diabetes symptoms in pets generally include:

  • Increasing thirst and hunger
  • More frequent urination
  • Weight loss, while eating normally
  • Cataracts (in dogs only)
  • Weakness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Depression
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Ketoacidosis (This means waste products are accumulating in the blood and it is an emergency. Symptoms are the sudden, severe appearance of the above symptoms. See your vet in Wayne immediately.)

How Your Vet Manages Diabetes in Pets

Pet diabetes is not yet curable, but with proper veterinary care, your pet will enjoy a very comfortable life. Your vet in Wayne can develop a plan to keep the condition under control with proper exercise and certain diet changes or restrictions. If necessary, our vet will determine the best type of insulin to treat your pet’s diabetes and help prevent complications. Dogs are more likely to require insulin injections, while cats may require short-term injections and may then often be managed with a specialized diet. Pets should see the veterinarian in Wayne regularly to have their blood sugar tested and medication adjusted if necessary.

Contact Radnor Veterinary Hospital for Diabetes Diagnosis and Treatment

If your pet needs a checkup, or shows symptoms of diabetes, visit our veterinary hospital for an exam. We will evaluate your pet for signs of diabetes, conduct blood testing to confirm the diagnosis and create a custom treatment plan. Radnor Veterinary Hospital cares for pets with diabetes in Wayne, Bala Cynwyd, Bryn Mawr, King of Prussia, Villanova, Norristown, Paoli, Plymouth Meeting and surrounding areas of PA. Call us at 610-687-1550.