By Kristi Skelton, LVT
Diabetes mellitus
is a disease that can affect both cats and dogs. The disease can cause
similar symptoms in
both species including increased appetite, weight loss, increased thirst, and
increased urination. These symptoms all
correspond to a lack of glucose in the body tissues.
When an animal
ingests glucose it travels from the bloodstream to the tissues and eventually
to the cells of the body via a transport hormone called insulin. If the pancreas is producing too little
insulin or no insulin at all the glucose remains trapped in the bloodstream where
it is filtered by the kidneys. In a
non-diabetic animal the kidneys will reabsorb the glucose found in the
bloodstream. However, in the diabetic
animal there is too much glucose to reabsorb and the extra is lost in the urine
along with excess water. This causes the
animal to urinate more and thus drink more.
If the tissues of
the body are not supplied with glucose the body goes into starvation mode. It begins to breakdown proteins, starches,
and fats as a source of energy. Fats are
broken down into ketones which can be used as an energy source in desperate
situations. Ketones are eventually excreted
in the urine. Even though the animal is
eating more than usual the body is not getting the required glucose it needs so
the breakdown of other energy sources, such as fat, cause significant weight
loss.
Along with
clinical symptoms the diabetic animal is diagnosed with blood tests and urine
tests which can show increased glucose levels and the presence of ketones. After a pet is diagnosed with diabetes it
must be carefully regulated and maintained for the lifetime of the animal.
If you have any question please contact Central Kentucky Veterinary Center 502-863-0868.
