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Diabetes Info
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Diabetes Blog Topics
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Dr. Michael Dym
Holistic & Conventional Veterinarian
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"Over 19 years of caring for
the well-being of pets"
Visit his Ask the Vet blog.
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Diabetes in Dogs and Cats
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What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is an illness caused when sugar cannot enter the cells. The cells must use other sources of energy and consume fat and muscle proteins to make that energy. Using fat for energy releases ketone byproducts that create a dangerous condition where the acids in the body are too high (metabolic acidosis). With high acids, the brain doesn't function and your pet can lapse into a coma. In addition, your pet's body is harmed by the free radicals released as fat and proteins are consumed. Blood vessels, nerves, eyes, heart, and kidneys are often damaged.
Can Pets with Diabetes Develop Secondary Health Problems?
Yes. Diabetic dogs and cats are at a higher risk of being predisposed to comas, cataracts, blindness, bladder infection, nerve deterioration, paralysis, gangrene, and kidney disease.
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Diabetes in pets may cause death if left untreated.
Diet is a significant factor in causing and in treating diabetes.
How insulin is given affects how quickly and how long it works.
Some pets need insulin for a period, then recover and no longer need it.
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What's the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes in Dogs and Cats?
Pets with Type 1 diabetes require insulin injections, but those with Type 2 diabetes do not need insulin. Instead, Type 2 diabetes is controlled with diet, weight loss, and oral medication. Dogs with diabetes (Type 1) must be treated with insulin. Cats develop both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and can be treated with insulin or an oral diabetes medication. The tendency to develop Type 2 diabetes is inherited so that many in the same family develop it. Type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity.
In humans, Type 1 diabetes is called juvenile diabetes; Type 2 diabetes is called maturity-onset diabetes.
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Max's Tip: Feeding a high-protein, high-fiber diet benefits pets with diabetes because this diabetes diet lowers blood sugar concentrations by 15-20%. |
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