Diabetes Mellitus

General Information:

Diabetes mellitus is a disease caused by a deficiency of insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, and is necessary for body tissues to use blood sugar. Without insulin, sugar remains in the blood and eventually passes into the urine. This causes increased urine production and thirst. Hunger increases because the body cannot use the sugar in the blood. As the disease progresses chemicals called ketones accumulate, resulting in vomiting and dehydration. Eventually coma and then death occurs in untreated animals.

Diabetes is not a curable disease, but with proper insulin administration, the disease can be controlled. In cats, diabetes can often be controlled through diet modification only.

Treatment Information:

1. Sugar Levels:
Blood and urine sugar must be monitored very carefully until your pet's condition is stabilized. Once your pet's insulin requirements are determined and blood-sugar levels are stabilized, only urine sugar needs to be monitored.

2. Insulin:
Follow your vet's instructions TO THE LETTER. If you have any problems whatsoever, contact your vet's office immediately.

3. Diet:
Feed a diet high in fiber and low in carbohydrates. Prescription diets are best. In some cases (cats especially) this may be all that is needed to control the condition.

4. Exercise:
Exercise decreases the need for insulin. For proper regulation, the amount of daily exercise must not vary.

5. Low blood-sugar reactions:
Occasionally insulin treatment may result in blood-sugar levels that are too low. This is most likely to happen 3-7 hours after insulin treatment, especially with strenuous exercise. Your pet may seem weak, tired or uncoordinated, or may have a seizure. Always keep a sugar-containing syrup (for example, Karo) handy to treat low sugar levels. If your pet has a seizure, rub the syrup on the gums and inside the lips. Do not try to force a convulsing animal to swallow the syrup. Take care to avoid being bitten. Call your vet's office as quickly as possible, even if your pet improves within a few minutes.

6. Hormones present during "heat" and pregnancy antagonize the effects of insulin. Diabetic females should be spayed as soon as their insulin levels are regulated.

7. Re-examination:
During the early weeks of treatment, several re-examinations may be necessary. Call your vet's office when questions or problems arise. Make sure you fully understand all aspects of home care.