Warning Signs of Diabetes in Dogs and Cats

​It may come as a surprise to many people that cats and dogs can get diabetes.  Just like humans, dogs and cats produce insulin in the body to manage glucose in the bloodstream.  All mammals can develop diabetes when something goes wrong.

Warning Signs of Diabetes in Dogs and Cats
By Pierre Mouchette | Bits-n-Pieces

​In healthy mammals, glucose (blood sugar) is a simple sugar that provides the primary energy source.  When there is too much glucose in the bloodstream (hyperglycemia) or too little (hypoglycemia), the organism can experience dangerous health effects.  To prevent that, it is insulin's job to regulate those blood sugar levels.
But when insulin does not work right, glucose levels can get out of control and lead to diabetes.  Like humans, dogs and cats can get one of two types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes is when the pancreas does not create insulin, and type 2 diabetes is when the body no longer uses insulin properly (a state known as insulin resistance).  In both of these instances, the insulin problem allows blood glucose levels to increase to unhealthy levels.  However, the difference between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes in dogs and cats is not as straightforward as in humans.
 
Diabetes Symptoms
Your pet cannot tell you what they are feeling, so it is up to you to spot the signs of diabetes.  If your pet develops diabetes, you might notice the following symptoms, according to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation:

• A lack of appetite and weight loss
• And cloudy eyes (for dogs)
• Drinking a lot more water than usual
• Repeated infections, such as on the skin or in the urinary tract
• Urinating excessively

Visit your veterinarian immediately if you notice these symptoms.  Catching diabetes in dogs and cats early can prevent complications of diabetes and the progression of the disease, as well as improve treatment outcomes.  Diabetes in dogs and cats cannot be cured but can be managed.