With proper monitoring, treatment, diet, and exercise, diabetic pets can lead long and happy lives.
March 1, 2022
HSLM proudly accepts pet surrenders regardless of health issues, age or other factors. We are dedicated to providing pet owners with a safe and judgement-free environment when they can no longer care for their pets.
Recently we have had several diabetic pets surrendered to our shelter. When this occurs, the pet is promptly taken to a local Veterinary Clinic to get bloodwork done as well as a glucose curves testing (tracks the blood glucose level over the course of a day to see how it changes).
The daily in-shelter care requires monitoring of blood glucose levels (with a poke to the ear to get a sample of blood) along with insulin injections and special diabetic meals.
It’s estimated that 1 in every 300 dogs and 1 in 230 cats will develop diabetes during their lifetime — and those statistics keep rising.
Keeping pets at a healthy weight can help with prevention, but a variety of other factors play into whether a pet might develop diabetes. Another risk factor is age (middle-age and senior pets are more likely to develop diabetes). Female dogs and neutered male cats are also more prone to diabetes.
Noticing the early signs of diabetes is vital. If you see any of the following signs, your pet should be examined by a veterinarian:
Excessive water drinking and increased urination
Weight loss, even though there may be an increased appetite
Decreased appetite
Cloudy eyes (especially in dogs)
Chronic or recurring infections (including skin infections and urinary infections)
If diabetes is left untreated, dogs can develop ketoacidosis, cataracts, and kidney disease. Diabetic cats are susceptible to chronic pancreatitis, ketoacidosis, and nerve degeneration.
Although caring for a diabetic pet is typically more expensive and time-consuming, with proper monitoring, treatment, diet, and exercise, diabetic pets can lead long and happy lives.
Please make a donation TODAY to help us continue providing veterinary care for shelter pets with health-related issues!