diabetes on FOUR LEGS

Did you know that it’s possible for cats and dogs to be diagnosed with diabetes?

If you’ve recently noticed your cat or dog has excessive thirst and urination, tiredness or a lack of energy, and even weight loss – despite normal or increased appetite – they may have diabetes.

Visit your vet, who can confirm if this is due to diabetes by testing for high levels of glucose in the bloodstream (hyperglycaemia) and/or a presence of glucose in the urine (glycosuria).

Diabetes mellitus is categorised, similarly to humans, by type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 ➤

(non-insulin dependent). Type 1 is most common in dogs, where there is a total or near-complete destruction of the body’s beta cells, and requires insulin injections to stabilise their blood glucose levels. Type 2 identifies some remaining insulinproducing cells, and although seen in both cats and dogs, it is more common in cats.

“Lifestyle factors such as those that predispose people to type 2 have a role in diabetes in cats, in particular obesity and a sedentary lifestyle,” says Dr Linda Fleeman, of Animal Diabetes Australia. “There is some evidence that diabetes in dogs is sometimes due to an immune disorder.”

Unlike humans, there’s no clear cause behind diabetes in our pets, but numerous factors – such as age, breed, presence of other diseases, weight and physical activity – can contribute.

Our furry friends are unable to

tell us when they feel sick or if there’s something wrong so they’re relying on you to notice any changes in their health and routine. As their owner, you will need to be financially and personally committed to your pet, as their health is fully reliant on you maintaining responsibility for consistent food supply, insulin injections, close management and more. ■