Pet diabetes something to watch for

Their habits change — they seem drowsy or stop playing and eating — and it’s obvious your critter isn’t feeling well, but the question is, how bad it is and what needs to be done.

Having an animal become sick can be a frightening experience for pet owners, mostly because our pets can’t communicate what they’re experiencing or need and it’s often difficult to put their symptoms into relatable context.

Add to that the revelation at the veterinarian’s office that a beloved companion animal has a condition that will require long-term or lifelong care and the situation can begin to feel even more unsettling — compounded by the guilty realization that it might have been prevented, or at the very least, anticipated.

Originally intended as a public awareness campaign to educate about human diabetes, November has come to be known as National Pet Diabetes Month.

Of great concern in the world of animal health, as pet obesity continues to rise — 2016 figures from Pet Obesity Prevention indicates more than half pet dogs and cats are either overweight or obese — so too does the number of pets with diabetes.

Some pets are predisposed to diabetes based on gender, for example female dogs and male cats seem to be most prone. Likewise, several breeds including Siamese cats and miniature pinschers, schnauzers, poodles, beagles and others also have higher likelihood of developing the condition.

However excessive weight, obesity, diet and other lifestyle factors can contribute too.

A condition that generally surfaces in the mid-late years for most pets, diabetes not only impacts quality of life, if left untreated, it can result in death.

Diabetes occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or when something in the body prevents the body from using the insulin it does produce. A hormone produced by the pancreas to move glucose, or sugar, into the cells of the body, when insulin is interfered with or too low, the body responds by producing more sugar to compensate, however, unable to enter the cells, the extra sugar causes problems.

Meanwhile, the body continues to try and compensate for the lack of sugars by breaking down fat, which can result in the body essentially being poisoned from within.

A pet, as with humans who live with diabetes, can have a quality life as long as treatments are faithfully maintained.

Treatment generally includes insulin injections twice a day and lifestyle changes such as high-protein diets and weight loss and, in some cat cases, depending on the type of diabetes, the condition enters into remission. For others, dogs included, once diabetes begins, treatments and lifestyle changes are a daily reality for the remainder of their lives.

According to the Pet Health Network, symptoms of diabetes in pets include: Excessive thirst and/or urination; weight loss (especially in the back while remaining overweight); increased hunger and/or whiteness in the lens of the eyes; blindness; weakness; lethargy and poor skin or coat condition.

Seeking veterinary care at the first signs of illness can greatly improve the effectiveness of treatment.

Sometimes genetics has the upper hand, but there are also times we can control the future.

Especially as we enter into the season of food indulgence, it’s good to remember ours and our pets’ health are not just things we're responsible for, but things we might have more of a say in than we realize.

Sharna Johnson is always searching for ponies. You can reach her at: [email protected]