Most people are surprised to learn that dogs and cats can be diagnosed with diabetes mellitus too. Although we know that human diabetes is not exactly the same as diabetes in pets, there are many similarities in how the disease is diagnosed, monitored, and treated in our furry friends.
Diabetic pets, just like many humans, usually need carefully timed daily insulin injections. However, our four-legged friends are totally dependent on us for all their care, from monitoring their appetite, catching hypoglycaemic symptoms early, and giving insulin.
Our pets give us lots of unconditional love, so it’s fitting that when they need us most that we step up to help them out. Let’s take a closer look at how we can help manage diabetes in our pets…
The Role of Your Veterinarian
Good management of your pet’s diabetes requires commitment and co-ordinated care from both you and your veterinary team, you can’t do this alone.
Most stable diabetic pets will need a veterinary recheck at least every 3-6 months. The veterinarian will perform a physical examination and record the pet’s body weight. They may want to perform a blood glucose curve, measure fructosamine, and check the pet’s hematology and biochemistry levels too. Additional tests may include urinalysis, thyroid levels (cats), and blood pressure.
Diabetic pets that are showing signs of being unstable, such as weight loss, increased drinking or increased urinating, will need to be assessed more regularly. Older dogs and cats need more regular examinations to help them stay healthy, as they are more likely to suffer from age-related diseases or conditions which may complicate their diabetes.
Diet and Exercise
Making some changes in your diabetic pet’s diet and exercise levels can really improve their quality of life. If your pet is overweight, it may benefit from a reduced-calorie diet and slowly increasing exercise.
In fact, it isn’t uncommon for diabetic cats to go into diabetic remission if started on appropriate insulin therapy within 6 months of diagnosis and fed a low-carbohydrate diet. One study, looking at diabetic cats managed by diplomats of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners found an average remission rate of 26%, meaning they no longer required insulin injections for 4 weeks or more.
Feeding your pet a tasty diet that is nutritionally balanced, is important to help reduce fluctuations in blood glucose levels and help maintain a healthy weight. There are even some specially formulated “prescription” diets for diabetic dogs and cats.
Let’s look at some specific diet and exercise tips for your diabetic pet:
Dogs
- Feed two set meals per day of a consistent portion, at consistent times.
- Feed a high-fiber diet.
- Daily exercise is recommended.
- Your veterinarian can provide an appropriate exercise program for your dog, depending on his weight, age and any other underlying conditions.
Cats
- Feed two set meals per day of a consistent portion, at consistent times.
- Feed a high-protein (>40% protein), low carbohydrate (<12%) diet.
- Canned food is preferred over dry food.
- Free-choice/ad-lib feeding may be accepted if the cat’s eating habits cannot be changed (some cats prefer to graze throughout the day, and struggle to change).
- Your veterinarian can advise if an exercise plan is appropriate for your cat- they can often be encouraged to exercise using a variety of cat toys.
Glucose Monitoring at Home
It is becoming increasingly common for owners to regularly monitor their pet’s glucose levels at home. This is especially useful for cats, who can experience a dramatic increase in blood glucose levels when stressed, and vet visits are usually very stressful events.
Your vet team can advise you on the best way to collect samples at home- you want this to be as stress-free as possible for both you and your pet.
- Blood Test
A glucose blood test can be completed with a portable glucometer or glucose blood test strips. To get an accurate glucose reading you need to use a glucometer specifically calibrated for cats or dogs, as a human glucometer will give inaccurate results. Blood is most commonly collected in your pet’s inner earflap, but other possible sites include the lip, tail, elbow callous or food pads.
- Urine Test
It is easy to check your pet’s urine for glucose and ketones. This isn’t as accurate as measuring the blood glucose levels but is an easy to do test that may be beneficial for some pets.
- Continuous Glucose Monitoring
A relatively new option is the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, which are designed for human use, but can sometimes be adapted for use in pets. These are prescribed and implanted by a vet, and worn on the pet’s skin to measure and record the levels of blood glucose over a number of days. Ask your veterinarian if a CGM device is an option for your pet.
Keeping A Daily Log
Keeping a daily log for your pet is a great way to keep track of its diabetes. It can help you and your veterinarian quickly spot any subtle changes that might be a sign that your pet needs a change in insulin dose or that there are other underlying medical problems (e.g. urinary tract infection, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism).
Common things to keep track of include:
- Food: The time, type of food and amount given. Also, note if the food wasn’t eaten.
- Insulin: The time, dose and location of the insulin injection.
- Thirst: Owners should note if their pet has a normal or increased thirst. Some owners also carefully measure and record their pet’s overall intake of water each day.
- Other observations: Note any changes in behavior such as possible signs of low blood glucose (e.g. lethargy, sleepiness, abnormal gait, weakness, tremors, or seizures), or any obvious signs of illness such as vomiting or diarrhea.
Recording Your Results Using Diabetes:M
Recording your pet’s daily observations and results is the best way to properly track and manage his diabetes. The Diabetes:M app offers you an easy way to keep all your pet’s information in one place, and a simple way to analyse and understand your four-legged friend’s results.
You can even send detailed reports to your own veterinarian, so they can keep up-to-date with your pet’s progress. It also offers you a convenient reminder system, so you can set one-off or recurring reminders to help keep you on top of your pet’s schedule.
Final Thoughts
We know it can be a daunting prospect to have a diabetic pet that totally relies on you. The Diabetes:M app can help you achieve the best care for your pet, making it easy for you to keep track of all the things that matter and share the results easily with your veterinarian. The good news is that with the right treatment and consistent monitoring, your beloved best friend can continue to have a long, happy and healthy life.
Margarita graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2011, earning a Bachelor in Veterinary Science with distinction. She worked in small animal and equine practice for a few years, before choosing to focus solely on companion animals. Over the years she has developed a special interest in small animal internal medicine, and she now works as a freelance veterinarian. Her interests outside of work include traveling, writing and volunteering.
