What is diabetes mellitus?
Diabetes mellitus is a medical condition resulting in an excessive amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. This is caused by a deficiency of insulin, which is a hormone secreted by the pancreas, a small but vital organ located near the stomach. It has two types of cells. One group of cells produces the enzymes necessary for proper digestion. The other group, called beta-cells, produces the hormone insulin. Simply put, diabetes mellitus is a failure of the pancreatic beta cells to produce insulin and properly regulate blood sugar levels.
Why is insulin so important?
The role of insulin is much like that of a gatekeeper: it stands at the surface of body cells and opens the door, allowing glucose to leave the blood stream and pass inside the cells. Glucose is a vital substance that provides much of the energy needed for life, and it must work inside the cells. Without an adequate amount of insulin, glucose is unable to get into the cells. It accumulates in the blood, setting in motion a series of events that can ultimately prove fatal.
When insulin levels are low, the cells become starved for a source of energy. In response to this, the body starts breaking down stores of fat and protein to use as an alternative energy source. Now the pet eats more, so we have weight loss in a pet with a ravenous appetite. The body tries to eliminate the excess glucose by excreting it in the urine. Glucose (blood sugar) attracts water resulting in the production of a large amount of urine. To avoid dehydration, the pet drinks more and more water. Thus, we have the four classical signs of diabetes:
1. Weight loss
2. Increased water consumption
3. Increased appetite
4. Increased urination
Diabetes mellitus affects an estimated one in two hundred cats, and is seen more frequently in overweight and middle to old-age cats and is more common in males than females. It also affects dogs, an estimated one in four hundred fifty and is more common in females.
How is diabetes mellitus diagnosed?
The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is made based on clinical signs, persistently elevated blood glucose concentration and the presence of glucose in the urine. However, a diagnosis of diabetes cannot be made on a single blood and urine sample as other conditions, like stress, may also cause a rise in glucose levels. Therefore confirmation of diabetes may require more than one blood sample collected over a period of one to five days.
What is involved in treatment?
Consistency is vital to proper management of the diabetic pet. Your pet needs consistent administration of medication, timely feedings, and a stable, stress-free lifestyle. To best achieve this, it is preferred that your pet live exclusively indoors. Although that is not essential, indoor living removes many uncontrollable variables that can disrupt regulation. Some animals may require insulin, or a special diet. Your veterinarian will design a plan specifically for your pet. Diabetes requires routine monitoring, but with proper care is a very manageable disease.
Prevention
The best way to treat diabetes is to try and prevent it. For both dogs and cats a quality diet and proper weight management is key. Keeping your pet the proper size along with regular wellness checkups with your veterinarian can detect disease early.
