{"id":941,"date":"2020-11-20T11:30:15","date_gmt":"2020-11-20T11:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bowmanvet.com\/?p=941"},"modified":"2021-08-18T11:50:32","modified_gmt":"2021-08-18T18:50:32","slug":"diabetes-in-pets-successfully-controlled-when-caught-and-treated-early-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bowmanvet.com\/blog\/diabetes-in-pets-successfully-controlled-when-caught-and-treated-early-on\/","title":{"rendered":"Diabetes in Pets: Successfully Controlled When Caught and Treated Early On"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Auburn,<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Directly following a carbohydrate-rich meal, the digestive system breaks food down into glucose, the main source of energy for the body\u2019s cells. Glucose is absorbed in the gut making blood sugar levels rise. The pancreas responds to these changes by producing the important hormone insulin.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diabetes in pets occurs when the pancreas either doesn\u2019t produce enough insulin (Type 1) or the body\u2019s cells don\u2019t respond properly to the amount of insulin secreted (Type 2). The effects of untreated diabetes can be extremely dangerous to long term health. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Your Pet\u2019s Blood Sugar<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most cats and dogs suffer from Type 2 Diabetes, or Diabetes mellitus (also known as sugar diabetes, referring to the lack of blood sugar regulation). In this disease, glucose is prevented from entering the cells. It builds up in the bloodstream and then dilutes urine. This process makes cats or dogs feel the urgent need to urinate more frequently, but it also <\/span>makes them more thirsty.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Items at Play<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When the body cannot respond appropriately to insulin, glucose levels are thrown off balance. Since appetite is controlled by glucose levels in the brain, pets with diabetes will behave as if they aren\u2019t satisfied by their meal and ask for more food than normal. Because diabetes causes a loss of muscle mass they will appear underweight, prompting owners to potentially overfeed their pet. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Too much glucose in a pet\u2019s bloodstream over an extended period of time can cause dangerous symptoms and <\/span>long term health consequences<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Classic Symptoms of Pet Diabetes<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is essential that pet owners watch their pet\u2019s behavior closely. The following symptoms of diabetes in pets should <\/span>never be overlooked<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n