Pet Pointers: Diagnosing diabetes in pets
With the rise in obesity in pets comes an increase in diabetes. Today, how your vet diagnoses and treats diabetes in your pets in this edition of Pet Pointers.
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Diabetes is one of the most common diseases of the endocrine system where the blood's glucose level is too high. Blood always has some glucose in it, but too much glucose in the blood isn't healthy.
Signs your pet may be diabetic come on slowly. Look for excessive drinking and an increase in urination, loss of appetite, poor coat, weight loss, heavy breathing, cloudy eyes and weakness. Leaving diabetes untreated can cause liver and kidney damage, blindness, coma and death, which is why it is so important to schedule annual vet visits for your pet, especially as they grow older.
To diagnose diabetes in your pet accurately, your vet may want to hospitalize your pet and take a series of blood samples over the course of a few days.
Although there is no cure for diabetes, DVM Dr. Samantha Berge tells us the disease can be managed.
Treating a diabetic pet can be a challenge, taking blood glucose readings and giving shots may seem impossible to some pet parents, but your vet can coach you and help you be prepared to provide at home care for a diabetic pet.
If your pet has any signs of diabetes, talk to your vet so you can work together to provide the best care possible for your pet.