Diabetes

How are Dogs and Cats Affected?

By:  Michael Lamping, DVM

            If you are wondering why your pet is dramatically losing weight despite a strong appetite, you may want to keep reading.  Like humans, adult cats and dogs can develop diabetes, with some similar risk factors and symptoms.  The differences, however, are significant.  For one, the complications from this condition are generally less severe for animals and so the intervals for monitoring the blood glucose (sugar) levels are more relaxed.  Secondly, underlying conditions can pre-dispose dogs and cats to type II diabetes, allowing for cure of the diabetes if the underlying disease is manageable.

            Many of my diabetic patients are cats, though dogs are certainly just as capable of acquiring the disease.  As I mentioned above the symptoms can be perplexing (contradictory) at times, such that you may not think anything was wrong.  I remember an owner bringing in her cat for a wellness visit recently.  She became aware of the symptoms only after we noticed some weight loss and began asking specific questions about water intake, urine volume, energy level, and appetite.  We decided to do a urinalysis and blood glucose test and had a diagnosis 15 minutes later.  Fortunately, she is doing well, especially after changing her diet to aid in nutritional management and weight loss.  Obesity is one of the risk factors in cats.  Pancreatitis (a disease of the pancreas) can also bring on diabetes.

            Many of my patients require administration of insulin to regulate their diabetes.  Insulin allows the cells of the body to take in and utilize the glucose from the bloodstream.  This lowers the blood glucose levels.  Without treatment, diabetes can progress to cause complications such as cataracts in dogs, urinary tract infections, severe weight loss, and nerve damage.  Affected animals drink excessive amounts of water and have to urinate large amounts as well.