PAH Blog

Diabetes Mellitus is a common endocrine disease in dogs and cats.  Glucose is needed by cells of the body for energy.  When you eat food, the glucose is absorbed from your intestines into your bloodstream where a constant level is kept.  To maintain this level of glucose, insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas) allows the cells to absorb and utlize the glucose.  In a diabetic there is not enough insulin.  This means the cells can not absorb glucose and therefore, glucose levels build up in the blood.

In humans, there are two types of diabetes.  Type 1 is where the pancreas produces no insulin at all and Type 2 is when the pancreas produces some insulin but not enough.  Virtually all dogs have Type 1 (insulin dependent diabetes) and they must be treated with insulin.  Most cats have Type 2 (non-insulin dependent diabetes).  This means for cats there is potential for the diabetes to actually resolve if the pancreas improves its insulin-secreting ability.  Insulin injections are needed to treat most diabetic cats, but for some cats, the situation is mild enough for oral medication and diet change to suffice.

The signs that owners usually notice in their diabetic animals are an increased thirst and urination (having accidents in the house), as well as an increased appetite with weight loss.  Some other sequela to diabetes are cataract formation in dogs and urinary tract infections in both dogs and cats.

Testing for diabetes is relatively easy.  Most basic blood profiles will show a dramatic increase in glucose levels, and urine tests may show glucose in the urine.  If the levels of glucose are only mildly to moderately elevated, fructosamine levels can be measured.  If this is elevated in addition to the other labwork and clinical signs, then a diagnosis of diabetes is highly likely.  Fructosamine levels show the average glucose concentrations over the last several weeks.

Once a diagnosis is made, an insulin type and amount will be decided on by the doctor.  There are many different types of insulin, but most animals will require a twice daily injection.  The insulin is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) with a small syringe and needle.  The owner needs to feel comfortable giving these injections before treatment can begin.  Most people are relatively surprised on how easy it can be to administer insulin.

Regulating the animal's diabetes can sometimes take several weeks to months in the begining.  The pet usually needs to come into the clinic for the day so a blood glucose curve can be performed.  After insulin is administered, blood samples will be taken throughout the day.  This shows how long the insulin is lasting, as well as the highest and lowest glucose concentrations.  Some at home monitoring may be required once the animal is regulated to make sure no changes need to be made.  If the dose is to low, the animal will revert to increased drinking, urination, and appetite.  If the dose is to high, the animal can become very weak, lethargic, and may not want to eat.

As well as insulin administration, a diet change may also be necessary for the animal.  For cats, a low carbohydrate and high protein diet is usually chosen.   These diets can promote some weight loss in a usually obese patient.  Dogs are usually fed a high fiber and low fat diet.   If it is not possible to change the pet’s diet, then regulation will just have to be worked out around whatever the pet will eat.

If you think your pet has any of these signs, please contact us right away to schedule an appointment.  There are other diseases that can mimic diabetes and so further testing may be needed if diabetes is ruled out.

-Dr. Tricia Trunek, DVM  View more about this blog »