Diabetes: An Overview

Currently there are two main types of diabetes mellitus diagnosed in pets. The two types of diabetes in pets are similar to humans, and include types 1 and 2.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is associated with the pancreas not being able to produce or secrete any insulin. Type 1 diabetes is dependent upon insulin injections for regulation of adequate blood sugar levels.

Type 2 diabetes is the condition associated with the pancreas not producing and secreting adequate amounts of insulin, or the body?s inability to properly use the insulin that is available. Type 2 diabetes is not insulin dependent, but can develop into type 1 diabetes over time if not treated.

Insulin: An Overview

Insulin is a hormone required by the body for the proper intake of glucose (sugar) into the cells where it can be utilized as energy. When insulin is not available, the cells will find other sources of stored energy, releasing toxins known as ketones into the bloodstream.

There are currently several types of insulin available derived from a variety of animals. Insulin is available in these types based on the speed of reaction including, long, intermediate, short and rapid. Insulin must be injected.

Diabetes: Overview of Symptoms

Diabetes is usually diagnosed from signs and symptoms noticed by attentive owners. These signs and symptoms typically include excessive hunger or loss of appetite, excessive thirst, excessive urination, unexplained weight loss, and change in breath smell. If the condition of diabetes is left untreated, further complications and symptoms can occur including weakness, seizures, sleepiness, restlessness, and unconsciousness or coma.

Diet

Diet plays a critical role in the both the regulation of the condition diabetes, in addition to its development. There is a strong correlation between overweight or obese pets and the development of diabetes.

Dietary intake is responsible for the digestion and absorption of sugars into the bloodstream. By limiting and regulating sugar intake to adequate amounts over time, the use of insulin may decrease over time. In the case of diabetes type 2, if your pet is overweight or obese, weight loss may eliminate the condition altogether.

Lifestyle: Exercise

Exercise also plays a critical role in not only the regulation of the diabetic condition, but also in the development. Again, obese or overweight animals are far more likely to develop diabetes than healthy weight pets.

Exercise is cause for sugar in the bloodstream to be utilized as energy by the cells, decreasing overall blood sugar levels naturally. Exercise is also good for strengthening of the cardiovascular system, promoting heart health.

Diabetes Management

Diabetes is not typically cause for the death of a pet, as it is manageable. Through the use of natural methods, insulin, diet, and exercise, it is possible to create an environment that maintains and regulates adequate amounts of blood sugar.

However, left untreated, diabetes is associated with several life threatening conditions, than can lead to coma and death. You must take responsibility for the health of your pet, just as you take care of your own.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21755451/

http://www.petdiabetes.org/faq.htm#types

This entry was posted on Monday, October 13th, 2008 at 4:46 pm and is filed under Blood Sugar Support. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.