Mission animal Clinic diabetes

Mission Animal Clinic and Diabetes

Located in the San Fernando Valley, 16907 San Fernando Mission Blvd. Granada Hills Ca, 818-363-8143

DIABETES MELLITUS

Diabetes Mellitus is a disease process characterized by a decreased tolerance to carbohydrates (sugars), due to a deficiency of INSULIN. Insulin is a hormone secreted by special cells in the pancreas which is responsible for the proper metabolism of all body tissues. Without proper insulin levels, serious changes occur within the body that leads to coma and death. It is a common problem in both cats and dogs. Certain breeds such as terriers, poodles, cocker spaniels, and dachshunds are more frequently affected.

Although the exact cause of Diabetes Mellitus is not known, several factors are known to be involved including genetics, diet, obesity, age, and complications from injury and illness.

Despite extensive research (especially in the field of human medicine), there is no known cure. Therefore, once it has been diagnosed, all medical attempts are to control the disease. This involves daily administration of insulin for the remainder of the pet’s life.

The oral form of insulin is NOT effective in animals. Once properly regulated, the majority of diabetic pets can maintain normal lives.

Home care involves daily administration of insulin and feeding a well-regulated high quality diet. A high-protein, low-carbohydrate commercial food (preferably canned food) should be fed at a CONSTANT time and quantity level.

The amount of food ingested will affect the amount of insulin required.

The diabetic pet should be fed twice daily, or in small multiple feedings to coincide with the peak insulin levels (8-l0 hours after injection when using NPH Insulin). Constant moderate exercise is important to properly maintain the daily insulin requirement.

For female diabetic pets, Ovariohysterectomy (spaying) should be performed as soon as possible due to complicated interactions between insulin and the female hormones secreted by the ovaries.

During the first few weeks of treatment, several consultations and tests are necessary to properly regulate the patient to insulin therapy. Changes in insulin dosage, frequency of injection, diet, or exercise may be required.

Notify the clinic if any of the following complications occur:

1. You are unable to administer the medication as directed.

2. Your pet develops weakness or fatigue after exercise, begins to shake or tremble, or seems mentally confused. This may result from refusal to eat, sudden vigorous exercise, or from vomiting of the evening meal. Excessive insulin dosage may also cause these problems. Giving several tablespoons of corn syrup or honey may control the low blood sugar episodes.

3. Your pet experiences difficult breathing, weakness, depression, or will not eat.

4. Your pet develops diarrhea or vomits.

DIABETES THERAPY

There is NO cure for Diabetes. Treatment will be required for the rest of the pet’s life. It is important you understand your role in therapy to insure success.

HOME CARE:

1. EXERCISE:

Allow your pet to determine how active he/she will be. The important key to remember is to be consistent every day. Heavy exercise affects blood sugar and insulin requirements. If you allow your pet to run around for many hours over the weekend when he/she normally sleeps all day, you may find it extremely difficult and frustrating to determine the correct insulin dosage from day to day. On the other hand, consistent amounts of exercise make this task much easier to accomplish.

2. DIET:

Normally, the body monitors the amount of sugar in the blood at each moment and determines how much insulin the pancreas should produce. Since you can only “guess” the amount of blood sugar based upon urine glucose measurements, you carefully regulate how much sugar your pet receives. This is where most pet owners have the greatest problem.

Your pet should receive a small meal (1/3 daily amount) in the morning and the main meal 6-8 hours later. There absolutely cannot be any snacks, biscuits, or people food at other times.

If you waver or deviate from this feeding regimen, you may internally upset your pet by failing to regulate the blood sugar. Adherence to this program will make controlling your pet’s disease that much more rewarding. You may feed your pet any type of dog food that is a complete and balanced diet

3. URINE TEST:

Every morning you should test your pet’s urine using the test strips provided. If your pet is a male dog, this is very simple because of his urinating habits. For a female dog, you may find it useful to fashion a long stick with a small cup on the end, to “catch” a urine sample as she squats. There are two pads on the stick. The top one measures glucose and is the most important. Use the color code on the bottle and read out the amount of glucose (after 30 seconds). The bottom pad measures ketones. If this pad ever changes color after 15 seconds, it is not an emergency but you should notify the doctor. If you find that the glucose pad is consistently 3-4%, notify your doctor. For cats, placing some saran wrap in the litter box facilitates saving some urine for testing. Home test strips for urine are not accurate. Urine must be tested at the clinic.