Can My Pet Get Type 2 Diabetes?
Yes. Pets can get both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is often called juvenile onset diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes. These pet?s bodies do not produce any insulin, and pets will require a regular insulin injection. Type 2 diabetes, also called adult onset or non-insulin dependent, is not as common as type 1. In these pets, the insulin responds too slowly to increasing blood glucose levels, and then overreacts by producing way too much insulin. The body often doesn?t react to the insulin as it should.
Can My Pet Live With Type 2 Diabetes?
Your pet will be able to manage just fine with some help from you. While you may not need to perform daily insulin injections on your pet, you will need to closely monitor your pet. Your pet may need supplemental insulin or periodic injections to keep it healthy. So long as you keep the diabetes under control, there?s no reason to expect serious long term health problems. However, the key to living with diabetes is regular maintenance of the disease; managing the disease is the only way to prevent further health complications. Your vet will recommend a special diet, monitoring food intake for weight control, and medication.
Signs of Diabetes
You may not know right away if your pet has diabetes. You might notice them acting strangely, seeming tired more than usual or drinking and eating more, but still losing weight. These are all signs of diabetes, and also common warning signs of a pet?s illness. Since your pet cannot tell you specifically what is wrong, you need to always be aware of their behavior, and be on the lookout for odd or abnormal activities.
Common signs of diabetes include:
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Increased hunger
- Weight loss or gain
- Fatigue
- Decreased mobility
- Cataracts
- Depression or anxiety
- Vomiting or diarrhea
Complications of Diabetes
Diabetes can have long term health complications. However, vets cannot stress enough that the easiest way to treat these health complications is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. Be aware of your pet?s behavior, and be sure to call your vet with any concerns. Nerve damage from diabetes may cause muscle deterioration and weakness, so if you notice your pet is unable to run, jump or play as they used to, call the vet.
Another common sign of diabetes is cataracts, which appear as cloudy areas in the eye. This can cause blindness if not treated properly. Other complications of diabetes include kidney and liver disease, gingivitis, gastrointestinal problems, and urinary tract infections.
With appropriate care, you can expect your diabetic pet will live a full, happy life.
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1328&articleid=199
http://www.health.ri.gov/disease/diabetes/pets.php