FOR YOUR PeT CommonConditions include the following: include following: the can but they of disease, on stage the depending vary may signs Clinical obviously ill. animal an make to before for it awhile begins exist can in ? Clinical the Diabetes Are Signs of What of is generally required to control this illness. have 1 type diabetes mellitus. Lifelong administration enough to serve the body’s needs. Most diabetic dogs when the is producing some insulin, but not or insulin, use available to unable effectively are cells develop “,” meaning that they “relative insulin deficiency”; it occurs whenthe body’s called been (more has humans) and common cats in Type diabetes 2 insulin. enough doesn’tmake pancreas when the dependent” occurs diabetes) use availableglucoseto insulin take from the blood. enough or insulin when the body’s are unable cells to mellitus develops when the doesn’tpancreas make their metabolism and other functions. Diabetes () sugar take from the blood and use it for body’s to the permits cells Insulin pancreas. the in hormone produced and releasedcells by specialized inability to either or make whichuse insulin, is a body’s by the caused illness an is mellitus Diabetes Mellitus? Diabetes Is What • • • Canine Diabetes Mellitus necessary for the rest of your ’s your life. of rest the for necessary are veterinarian your by and home at monitoring regular and therapy However, insulin regulated. well is diabetes their once lives happy active, live dogs Many dog. your for right is dosage insulin the that ensure help to recommended be may tests urine and blood periodic begins, diabetes for treatment After needs. its serve to insulin enough make to fails body the meaning 1, type mellitus diabetes have dogs diabetic Most • • mellitus (referred to as “insulin (referred “insulin Type to as mellitus 1 diabetes Increased drinking and urination and drinking Increased Urinary accidents in the house the in accidents Urinary

a diagnosis: diagnosis: a confirm help to tests these of some recommend may your veterinarian examination, physical athorough performing at home.observed After been have urinating, and/or drinking increased as such signs, clinical suspicious any if diabetes your dog has that suspect may Your veterinarian Diagnosed? Diabetes Is How • • • • • • • • level indicates where blood the indicates level fructosamine theAdditionally,glucose the bloodlevel. affect that other factors and due to stress to change of blood level, the glucose but likely it less is levelfructosamine is therefore a close estimation The to glucose. securely very binds blood that CBC (complete blood count) and chemistry chemistry and count) blood (complete CBC Increase or decrease in appetite in or decrease Increase (tiredness) Lethargy Weight loss Fructosamine diabetes. adog has if urine the (glucose) in show of presence the sugar Urinalysis diabetes. with occur can that level, or other changes blood sugar profilemayshow elevated an dehydration, andchemistry TheCBC pet’s systems. organ to provide about blood information the testing initial during together performed commonly profile : When a pet is ill, these tests are are tests these ill, is apet : When : Evaluation of a urine sample may : Evaluation of aurine : Fructosamine is aprotein is the in : Fructosamine

Common Conditions

sugar levels have been during the previous 2 to accurate records. This will help you to avoid forgetting 3 weeks. In a dog with diabetes, the blood to give insulin to your pet and allows you to track sugar levels are usually high for long periods of your pet’s treatment. time, which would be reflected by an increased After treatment begins, periodic blood and urine fructosamine level. tests are generally recommended. This helps ensure that the insulin dosage is right for your dog. Your dog’s How Is Diabetes Treated? weight, appetite, drinking and urination, and attitude Because dogs tend to have type 1 diabetes mellitus, at home can all provide useful information that helps insulin injections are generally started at diagnosis determine if his or her diabetes is being well managed. and continued for the rest of the pet’s life. Your Your veterinarian will consider all of these factors when veterinarian may also recommend dietary changes making recommendations for continued management. to help control your dog’s diabetes. It is very helpful Many dogs live active, happy lives once their diabetes to write a medication schedule for your pet on the is well regulated. However, insulin therapy and regular calendar, including the date and time that the medi- monitoring at home and by your veterinarian are cation needs to be administered, and to maintain necessary for the rest of your dog’s life. FOR YOUR PeT © 2011 Vetstreet Inc. Created and peer-reviewed by Vetlearn. Brought to you by Vetstreet. Vetlearn grants permission to individual veterinary clinics to print and distribute this handout for the purposes of client education. Posting on an external website without written permission from Vetlearn is a violation of copyright laws.