Every pet parent should know that
his or her beloved animal are also susceptible to common health conditions like
diabetes and during the month of November, it is time you learn about the
disease. Diabetes is a prevalent condition that's diagnosed in over 30 million
adults and children in the United States, with over 86 million Americans being
at risk for developing it. Originally, National Diabetes Month was aimed to
raise awareness of this growing health concern, but it has been expanded, as
November is also National Pet Diabetes Month.
Since pet diabetes causes a great
concern as the rates of the disease are on the rise, it's important to
understand the condition as it could affect the health of your pet. In fact, Merck Animal Health reports that 1
in 200 cars and 1 in 500 dogs can develop diabetes due to certain lifestyle
factors and some breeds are more prone to the condition than others are. For instance,
German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Pugs, Burmese cats and a few other breeds
have observed higher
rates of diabetes onset. Nonetheless, cats and dogs of any breed are at
risk but you can help your furry friend by learning more about the condition.
Types of Pet Diabetes
Pet diabetes comes in two
different forms and the first one is referred to as type 1, which means that
your pet cannot produce insulin. The second form of diabetes is type 2, which
means your pet can produce diabetes but the body is not properly processing it.
In short, both types revolve around the production and usage of insulin that is
a naturally forming hormone made in the pancreas. When there is a problem with
insulin production or glucose absorption, the cells in the body cannot use the glucose
they need for nutrients, which typically provides them with the energy they
require to function properly. When this happens, the cells are starved of
nutrition and blood sugar levels rise to dangerously heights.
Type 2 diabetes is more common of
the two forms, but they both result in similar symptoms. Your pet may be
excessively thirsty or hungry, they may frequently urinate, they might be
constantly tired or lethargic and they could develop poor skin like oily coats
or dandruff. On top of that, some pets may lose weight suddenly even if they
are eating more often. Also, keep in mind that female pets are more likely to
develop diabetes than males. Additionally, onset of diabetes generally occurs
in cats around 8 to 13 years old and dogs may develop it between the ages of 7
to 9 years old.
It's important that you know the
signs and symptoms of pet diabetes because the sooner you can point it out, the
sooner your vet can develop a plan to treat it. It may come in the form of cat
or dog
medications, new diet restrictions and other treatment regimens to help you
manage their condition. Additionally, obesity is a big risk factor when it
comes to diabetes and if you can get control of your pets' weight now, you can help
decrease the chances of onset. Keep this information in mind and spread the
news of National Pet Diabetes Month to other pet parents!
