What is Diabetes Mellitus?

This month, with the help of Holly’s story, we would like to raise awareness about diabetes mellitus, a common endocrine disorder in our fury friends. Diabetes occurs when there is insufficient insulin production by the pancreas. This is type 1 diabetes and is most common in dogs. Insulin is required for the absorption of glucose. This insulin deficiency results in the inability to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells leading to a high blood glucose. It is treated by injecting the patient with insulin on a daily basis.

Pet diabetes occurs in both dogs and cats, however it is more common in dogs. Holly’s story will focus on canine diabetes though symptoms are very much the same in both species.

Diagnosis

Holly first presented to the clinic after her owners were concerned she was drinking and urinating more than often. Common symptoms of diabetes mellitus include:

• Increased drinking
• Increased urination
• Increased appetite and often weight loss despite this
• Lethargy
• Poor coat condition

Diabetes can occur at any stage but, most commonly it occurs from the age of 7 onward. Given Holly’s age and her excessive drinking and urination, these factors led our vet to believe she was a diabetic. A simple blood test during her visit revealed she had a blood glucose of 20mmol/L. The normal range for a dog is 3.0 to 5.0mmol/L. This value however can increase during either times of stress or after having a big meal so, to rule out these factors, Holly came for a second visit the next day. During this time her owner was able to obtain a urine sample. Our nurses ran a urinalysis test which revealed that Holly had an excessive amount of glucose in her urine. This, along with a second blood test with a reading of 28.1mmol/L confirmed that Holly was a diabetic.

Treatment

Unfortunately, diabetes cannot be cured but it can be treated so the patient can live a normal healthy life. The aim of treatment is to manage the clinical signs or symptoms. Treatment involves injecting the patient with insulin on a daily basis. A strict daily routine must be followed in regards to diet and exercise as these affect insulin requirements. The times at which insulin is injected must be at the same time each day also. For example, Holly needs to be injected twice daily with insulin. Her first injection of insulin is given just after her breakfast at approximately 7am. These set meal times are to avoid hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). She cannot be fed between these meal times as treats etc will cause her blood glucose to fluctuate. She is fed a special veterinary prescription diet specifically for diabetics. This diet is high in fibre and low in fat and ensures a slow release of glucose. Her daily exercise must be regular also as this too affects insulin requirements. Her second injection is given at 7pm just after her evening meal.  Although Holly’s daily routine is quite strict her owners adapted these times to suit their schedule too. It is important to find a plan that works for both you and your pet and our nurses were able to offer advise of a daily routine during nursing clinics. Understandably, the idea of having a diabetic pet cab be quite daunting at first. Once diagnosed, our nurses work together with the client and the patient to help them gain better understanding about the disease through diabetic nursing clinics.

A Regular Patient

These days Holly is a regular visitor to the hospital. She comes for her blood glucose curve, a series of blood tests carried out throughout the day to check if her insulin dose is correct for her. Both our vets and nurses love to make a fuss of her and enjoy seeing her wagging tail greet us as she comes to the door. Her brother Tyson also comes along for the day to keep her company. We look fordward to seeing them both very soon at Holly’s next visit!

Reasons why a pet becomes obese:

• Excessive calorie intake (over-eating)
• Lower metabolic rate due to neutering.
• Inappropriate use of snacks, treats and supplements (human treats and snacks)
• Lack of exercise
• Appetite-stimulating drug therapy ( e.g. steroid treatments)
• Social factors (e.g. multi-pet households)
• Decreased energy requirements e.g. Hypothyroid disease

The effects of Obesity:

Obesity decreases your pets quality of life and puts your pet at risk of one or more of the following:

• Shorter life span!
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Cardiovascular Disease – heart disease
• Degenerative Joint & Orthopaedic Disease (DJD)
• Joint Stress/musculoskeletal Pain
• Exercise intolerance
• Insulin resistance
• Glucose intolerance
• Increased surgical and anaesthetic complications
• Neurological disorders
• Respiratory problems
• Cancer and tumors
• Skin problems
• Premature aging
• Heat Intolerance
• Hypertension -high blood pressure
• Reproductive disorders
• Decreased quality of life
• Susceptibility to infections

 Does your pet have a weight problem?

If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the questions below, or if you think your pet is not at its optimum body condition, you may want to talk to us about a weight management program.

1. Do you have difficulty feeling your pet’s ribs?
2. Is there little or no ‘waist’?
3. Do you give your pet table scraps or leftovers?
4. Is your pet reluctant to exercise?
5. Does your pet seem to tire easily with activity?
6. Does your pet waddle when it walks?
7. Does your pet keep eating so long as there is food in the bowl?
8. Have you been told your pet is overweight?

Healthy snacks for your pet:

• Carrots (contain Beta-carotene and aid in weight loss in dogs)
• Cucumbers
• Celery
• Ice cubes (on a hot day)

Unhealthy snacks for your pet:

What a treat for your dog would be equivalent to in human snack terms!