Covering Everything You Need To Know About Diabetes In Pets And The Month-Long Holiday That Raises Awareness About It
One of the most common and most dangerous health conditions affecting pets today is diabetes. Studies reported by VetSource show that 1 in 300 dogs will get diabetes in their lifetime. Additionally, these studies also showed that 1 in 230 cats will also develop diabetes in their lifetime. To help raise awareness about diabetes in pets, the entire month of November is celebrated as National Pet Diabetes Month. In this article, we will discuss what diabetes is, how it happens to our pets, how to avoid it, and how to get involved with this important pet-themed holiday.
Diabetes defined
The Definition Of Diabetes
Diabetes can be defined, according to the C.D.C. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), as a chronic health condition that directly impacts how the body processes food into energy. Normally, the body breaks down any consumed food into a sugar called glucose. Then, glucose is released into the bloodstream. As the blood sugar goes up, the pancreas releases insulin. Insulin is very important because it acts like a key which allows blood sugar into the cells for use as energy.
Unfortunately, pets with diabetes can’t produce or utilize insulin properly. As a result, this prevents the conversion of food into energy. When there is a lack of insulin or when cells stop responding to insulin, too much blood sugar stays in the bloodstream. This can cause serious health complications including vision problems, heart disease, and kidney disease. In short, diabetes halts the entire process of the body converting food into sustainable energy.
Is Diabetes Treatable?
Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for diabetes. Thankfully, there are ways to treat and manage diabetes. The key to managing diabetes is to carefully monitor your insulin levels. This can easily be done through routine insulin injections. Since the body can’t produce insulin properly on its own, insulin injections are the best way to help reintroduce insulin into the body. The amount of insulin needed will vary depending on the severity of the diabetes.
The good news is that insulin injections are fairly easy to administer to your pets. The syringes have very tiny needles, so it won’t hurt your pet. There are measurements marked and displayed on the outside of the syringe, so it’s easy to determine how much insulin you are giving. Also, it’s very important to feed your pet before giving them insulin injections to prevent blood sugar spikes. Click here for more information on how to properly administer insulin to your pets.
A dog & owner going for a walk
Best Ways To Prevent Diabetes
Diabetes is not curable. However, it is preventable. The best way to avoid developing diabetes is to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. This includes keeping a healthy diet and engaging in routine exercise.
As for pets, the quality and quantity of their food is essential for avoiding diabetes. We suggest paying close attention to the nutrition of your pets’ food. This can easily be done by reading the label of your pets’ food to see exactly what they’re eating. For more specific information about pet nutrition labels, click here.
Additionally, your pet should also maintain an active lifestyle to help prevent diabetes. Both dogs and cats need daily exercise and/or stimulation in order to stay healthy and happy. Therefore, we recommend taking your dog for daily walks and giving your cat some extra playtime on a routine basis.
Hire A Pet Sitter Today!
A big part of World Rabies Day focuses on the health & well-being of our pets. But, pets need more than just medical care to be happy. They also need stimulation and social interaction too. The best way to keep your pets happy and sociable is to hire a pet sitter! Long Island Pet Services is the best place to turn to for professional, quality pet sitting services. We offer a wide variety of services including dog walking, drop-in visits, overnight stays, pet taxi, and more! Click here to become a client today or give us a call at 516-247-6976. We look forward to hearing from you!
