By Dr. Johnathan Pierce
Happy Easter!
Diabetes is a disease that we commonly associate with people, however, did you know that your canine and feline pets can develop this disease? Diabetes mellitus is the most common form of diabetes and is characterized by a persistent increase in blood sugar, due to the lack of or resistance to insulin.
So, what is insulin? It is a hormone (produced in the pancreas) that is responsible for telling the cells of the body when to burn sugar for energy. Think of the sugar as someone knocking at the cell’s door, waiting to come in. This door is always locked and needs insulin to act as the key to open it. If the door cannot be unlocked, then the sugar waits in the blood stream and never gets absorbed.
As the sugar builds up in the system, it will be released into the urine as excess and waste. This is what causes the very characteristic insatiable thirst and urination. Water follows the sugar out into the urine in very large amounts, increasing the pets desire to drink to replace the losses.
Because the body is having such a difficult time absorbing the sugar it will start to seek out other non-sugar sources of fuel such as fat and protein, causing weight loss. This can start to accelerate as the diabetes worsens. The more fat reserves are broken down, waste products, called ketones, can build up. This is what causes diabetic keto acidosis (DKA). This can result in vomiting, lethargy, or inappetence and requires emergency intervention and possibly hospitalization. Whenever diabetes goes unchecked, the sugar can cause cataract formation. Sugar is absorbed into the lenses of the eyes, where it is changed into sorbitol. The sorbitol crystallizes, increasing the opacity and density (whitening / bluing) of the lenses, creating cataracts.
Early warning signs are increased thirst and urination. If you notice these, or any vomiting, lethargy, and change in appetite, please take your pet to your veterinarian.
Island Life Animal Hospital
Dr. Danielle Gallo
Dr. Johnathan Pierce
5901 Sun Blvd., Suite 107
Saint Petersburg, FL 33715
727-289-3776
islandlifeanimalhospital.vet