Caring for a Dog or a Cat with Diabetes

You have noticed your dog or cat drinks a lot more water than he used to. He may urinate frequently. He might vomit or have diarrhea. Your cat may also have a change of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, or general weakness. Your dog may have cataracts. Your pet might have diabetes, and you should take him to a veterinarian. Your animal might have something else wrong with him, however, and only your veterinarian can tell you for sure. Diabetes occurs more frequently in female dogs, than male dogs, and male cats, than female cats.

Thomas Schermerhorn, of the College of Veterinary Medicine, as reported on the website, www.mediarelations.k-state.edu, said that dogs and cats are just as susceptible as humans to diabetes. Often, however it isn't until "pets have made an accident in the house, or lose weight….that owners come in." Schermerhorn said the blood and urine tests for dogs and cats in diabetes are straightforward.

The types of diabetes dogs and cats can vary, but are similar to the disease in humans, according to Schermerhorn. Dogs with diabetes most often have a type that resembles that of Type I diabetes in humans, or Juvenile diabetes. Cats, on the other hand, often have a type of the disease that resembles Type II diabetes, which is linked to obesity in humans.

It might take years to find a cure through clinical and laboratory research.

Schermerhorn says that until a cure is found, diabetes in dogs and cats can be treated in a similar manner to diabetes in humans.

Schermerhorn says that dogs and cats will often get injections for their diabetes at home. At first, he said the owners will be afraid, but they will learn to give the treatment.

Diabetes is a disease of the pancreas. It affects the ability of the body to control sugar levels. The pancreas creates insulin, which keeps blood sugar levels balanced.

Glucose, the sugar in the body, is produced from the breaking down of starches and carbohydrates. Glucose is absorbed through the wall of the digestive tract and passes into the bloodstream.