Cats and dogs can get diabetes just as people do! The disease is a result of a faulty pancreas, which leads to lack of insulin. Without insulin, blood sugar and urine sugar levels get very high. This causes many symptoms and many possible complications.

The common symptoms of diabetes in a pet include:

· Frequent urination (sometimes uncontrollable-Cats may disregard the litter box)

· Excessive drinking

· Eating more than usual

· Losing weight

· Lethargic, decreased activity

· Cats may lose their coats' luster

· Peculiar breath odor

The possible complications of diabetes in a pet include kidney problems, heart disease, and blindness. Diabetes can even be fatal for your pet.

Early Detection Is Key

The best thing you can do is to watch for symptoms. The earlier diabetes is detected, the easier it will be to control. Early detection also lessens the chance of the complications from diabetes. Detection is very simple and can be done by the veterinarian. There are also home tests available from some pet outlets.

Sometimes it can be managed with diet alone. Diets high in fiber are recommended for diabetic pets to help keep blood sugar levels even. Most of the time insulin treatment is needed. At first this is a scary thought for many pet owners because it is an injectable drug.

Bear in mind that insulin is injected into the tissue just below the skin. It does not go directly into the blood. The injection process is really quite simple. With a little training virtually any pet owner can do it.

Michelle Herbert Thomas, PharmD, CDE

Clinical Director, Richmond Apothecaries, Inc