Diabetes and Your Pet

Filed in archive Information on November 6, 2008

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Robert Kirk

As World Diabetes Day approaches on November 14th, the leading pet health and Wellness site Webvet draws attention to the growing prevalence of the diabetes among cats and dogs.

Incurable, but treatable, diabetes today affects approximately one out of every 400 cats and dogs, most notably among middle aged pets. In dogs, it is more common in females and in certain breeds, including the keeshond, puli, miniature pinscher, and Cairn terrier. Male and female cats of all breeds can be affected and seem to be equally at risk, according to a recent Webvet report.

And as with humans, the most common factor driving the diabetes in pets is weight, with approximately 25 percent of all cats and dogs now classified as clinically obese.

The key, however, is early detection and treatment. Common signs and symptoms for pet owners to watch for include:

• Drinking a lot of water


• Urinating more than usual


• Increased appetite


• Weight loss


• Poorly healing wounds

Once diagnosed, treatment of diabetes includes:

• Diet, exercise and weight loss for extremely mild cases, though insulin injections are needed in most cases in order to keep blood glucose levels in the normal range


• A fixed, balanced diet, divided equally into morning and evening portions


• Removing snacks and table food from your pets diet as they interfere with the proper regulation of glucose levels


• Consistent exercise for your pet


• Checking your pet's urine glucose on a daily basis


• Regular visits to the veterinarian for blood glucose tests

To learn more about identifying warning signs, treatments and how to help pet owners proactively reduce their pets' diabetic risks, Webvet's team of experts are available for immediate comment.

For further information or speaking with a representative of WebVet, please contact Elina Reznik at 212-584-4326 or ereznik@5wpr.com.