Basic Diabetes Information For Your Pet

Humans aren t the only animals who can get diabetes. Dogs and cats can get diabetes as well. Most owners of diabetic pets find this out at the exact moment they are told their beloved pet has diabetes. And, jut like in humans, diabetes in pets come in two types.

Type I Diabetes

Here is some pet diabetes information about the rarer Type I diabetes:

Younger animals get it
It is not preventable
It is controllable
Type I diabetes is when the body just can t make enough insulin to keep the body healthy.
This is potentially lethal unless you and your vet help your pet. It will NOT go away on it s own

Type II Diabetes

When people think of diabetes information, they tend to think of getting information for Type II diabetes, which happens for the same reasons in pets as in people.

Older animals get it
Overweight animals usually get it
It is preventable by keeping your pet fit and trim
This occurs when there is too much fat to make the naturally producing insulin of the body be any good
It is controllable
This is potentially lethal unless you and your vet help your pet. It will NOT go away on its own.

What s Up With Fluffy And Fido?

Although they can t use words, cats and dogs have very clear ways of communicating when they need to go to the vet. If your pet exhibits these signs, call your vet. Getting the diabetes information your pet needs sooner rather than later can make all of the difference:

Constantly at the water bowl and therefore, constantly peeing. The diabetes is making your pet dehydrated, despite drinking.
Great appetite, but looses weight. If your pet is normally a picky eater and this happens, call the vet at once

How Can They Tell?

When diabetes is suspected, your cat or dog will be given tests to determine if they do indeed have diabetes, and which type it is. This is so your pet can be treated effectively. The tests that give your vet the diabetes information he or she needs are usually urine and blood tests. Please note when you first noticed your pet s alarming behavior, as that is also diabetes information he or she needs to know.

Odds are you will have to give insulin shots to your pet twice a day for the rest of the pet s life, as well as always carry insulin with you at all times. Even if you normally faint at the sight of needles, you will soon learn to give an injection. You won t have any other choice.