What You Need to Know If Your Cat Has Diabetes Mellitus

What is Diabetes Mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus is a disease of the pancreas, a small organ located near the stomach. The pancreas has two different types of cells that have very different functions. One group of cells produces the enzymes necessary for proper digestion. The other group, called beta cells, produces the hormone insulin, which regulates the level of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream and controls the delivery of glucose to the tissues of the body. In simple terms, diabetes mellitus is caused by the failure of the pancreas to regulate blood sugar. The clinical signs of diabetes mellitus are related to elevated concentrations of blood glucose and the inability of the body to use glucose as an energy source. 

As with humans, there are two types of feline diabetes — insulin dependent, or type I, in which the body is no longer capable of producing any insulin, and non-insulin dependent, or type II, in which either the body can’t produce sufficient amounts of insulin, or the organs and tissues have become insulin-resistant, meaning that they need higher-than-normal amounts of insulin in order to properly process glucose. Occurrences of type I diabetes in cats is rare. Obesity is a predisposing factor in type II diabetes, which appears to be the most common type of diabetes in the cat.

How is Diabetes Mellitus Diagnosed?

Diabetes mellitus is diagnosed by the presence of the typical clinical signs (excess thirst, excess urination, excess appetite, and weight loss), a persistently high level of glucose in the blood, and the presence of glucose in the urine. The normal level of glucose in the blood is 80-120 mg/dl (4.4-6.6 mmol/L). It may rise to 250-300 mg/dl (13.6-16.5 mmol/L) following a large or high-calorie meal. However, diabetes is the only common disease that will cause the blood glucose level to rise above 400 mg/dl (22 mmol/L). Some diabetic cats will have a glucose level as high as 700-800 mg/dl (44 mmol/L), although most will be in the range of 400-600 mg/dl (22-33 mmol/L). To conserve glucose within the body, the kidneys do not filter glucose out of the bloodstream into the urine until an excessive level is reached. This means that cats with normal blood glucose levels will not have glucose in the urine. Diabetic cats, however, have excessive amounts of glucose in the blood, so it spills into the urine. Once blood glucose reaches 180 mg/dl or more, the excess is removed by the kidneys and enters the urine. This is why cats and people with diabetes mellitus have sugar in their urine (glucosuria).

Definitive confirmation of feline diabetes mellitus may require a specialized test called a serum fructosamine test.

Treatment

Many type II diabetic cats will respond to dietary changes—a low carbohydrate, high protein diet will allow adequate control for about 58% of cats. Of those still requiring insulin injections, being on this type of diet will help lower the dose of insulin needed to obtain control.

Chromium is a dietary supplement that may favor normalization of metabolism and is sometimes added into the regimen. Oral hypoglycemics are a class of drug often used for human diabetics. In cats, these drugs have variable efficacy and it can take up to a month to see improvement. A portion of cats do not respond and need insulin for relief. Most cats require longer acting insulin formulations, and sometimes, dose or formulation source may have to be adjusted before good control is achieved. A newer type of insulin called glargine is being used in a limited fashion but is not licensed for use in cats yet. Canned food is preferable to kibbles since making the kibble requires additional carbohydrates. Specific diets formulated by various pet food manufacturers, for example, provide excellent balance of protein and carbohydrates for afflicted cats.

Home monitoring of diabetic cats can be tailored to meet the needs of the particular patient, but recent evidence shows that using a small ear prick and a human glucose meter provides excellent blood glucose readings since the cat is less stressed in the home environment.

Make sure you know what to do if you administer insulin and the cat becomes weak and perhaps even collapses or has seizures. This can indicate low blood sugar and is an emergency. Karo syrup on the gums and a prompt trip to the veterinarian are indicated.

With proper care, a diabetic cat can live a relatively normal life.

High Blood Sugar in Dogs

What is High Blood Sugar?

A healthy dog has a blood glucose level ranging from 75 mg to 120 mg. A dog is diagnosed with high blood sugar, or as hyperglycemic, when it exhibits high blood glucose, or sugar above the normal range. Elevated blood sugar may be temporary, stress-induced (more common in cats), or a sign of a serious underlying disease such as pancreatitis or diabetes mellitus. High blood sugar is more common in female than male dogs, and is more likely to occur in older dogs.

Elevated blood glucose can occur transiently fairly often for various reasons (diet, stress, exertion, medications). Moderately elevated glucose can indicate infections (dental, kidneys, bladder, sepsis), inflammatory conditions (pancreatitis) and hormonal imbalances (Hyperadrenocorticism). However persistent high glucose levels in the blood is diagnostic of Diabetes Mellitus. High blood Sugar causes increased thirst and urination. See a veterinarian promptly if your dogs shows these symptoms.

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High Blood Sugar Average Cost

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Average Cost

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Symptoms of High Blood Sugar in Dogs

The warning signs for high blood sugar are varied. If your dog’s high blood sugar is temporary or the result of stress or medication, you may not see any symptoms. However, if it is the result of a serious disease, you will likely see some of the following:

• Wounds not healing; infections worsening
• Depression
• Enlarged liver
• Urinary tract or kidney infection
• Bloodshot eyes
• Cataracts
• Extreme fluctuation in weight, gaining or losing
• Obesity
• Hyperactivity
• Excessive thirst or hunger
• Increased frequency of urination
• Weight loss

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Causes of High Blood Sugar in Dogs

High blood sugar can indicate one of the following issues:

• Diabetes mellitus, caused by a loss of pancreatic beta cells, which leads to decreased production of insulin, rending the dog unable to process sugar sufficiently.
• Pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas, which can damage insulin-producing cells, inhibiting the dog’s ability to process sugar sufficiently.
• Hyperadrenocorticism: Excess levels of cortisol in the bloodstream, affecting the dog’s metabolic process.
• Reaction to certain medications such as corticosteroids.
• Having just eaten, or eaten human food with high sugar levels.
• Exertion, excitement, or stress.

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Diagnosis of High Blood Sugar in Dogs

If your dog shows any of the symptoms of high blood sugar, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. As there can be many causes of high blood sugar, be sure to disclose issues the veterinarian is not already aware of, such as recent infections, changes in diet, or any abnormalities that may help with the potentially difficult diagnosis. The veterinarian will conduct a comprehensive round of tests in order to identify if your dog has high blood sugar, and what is causing it. These include a blood sample to be analyzed for a complete blood count, which checks for abnormalities in red and white blood cell count as well as platelet and hemoglobin; and a chemical blood profile, which measures blood sugar, blood proteins, and electrolytes. If high blood sugar is the only abnormality, the veterinarian can determine it to be temporary rather than a sign of something more serious. A specific test measuring fructosamine can determine what the sugar levels have been doing over the previous few weeks. Further, the sample will be analyzed for elevated levels of certain enzymes that can indicate pancreatitis. Depending upon these findings, the veterinarian may or may not conduct x-rays and ultrasound to gain additional insight on the underlying cause.

Additionally, the veterinarian will conduct urinalysis, which can reveal elevated sugar levels, pus, bacteria, and ketone bodies, which in excess are evidence of diabetes mellitus.

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Treatment of High Blood Sugar in Dogs

Treatment will vary significantly depending upon the diagnosis.

• Diabetes mellitus will be treated with a combination of insulin and diet modification designed to optimize body weight.
• Pancreatitis will be treated through hospitalization, giving the dog analgesics, antiinflammatories and intravenous fluids for several days. While withholding oral fluids and food in order to allow to pancreas to reset was once advised, low fat nourishing food is now recommended as part of the initial treatment. Pancreatitis can be life threatening, however most dogs will recover without long-term consequences.
• Hyperadrenocorticism  will be treated with one of several drugs designed to lower the body’s production of cortisol. The veterinarian will prescribe the drug that best fits the severity of your dog’s condition. Most cases of hyperadrenocorticism are caused by a pituitary tumor. Fewer are caused by an adrenal gland tumor in which radiation or surgery may be necessary.
• For high blood sugar caused by reaction to medication, the use of the medication will be stopped if appropriate and an appropriate substitute will be found.
• For temporary causes such as just having eaten, having eaten a high-sugar meal, exertion, excitement or stress, no treatment is needed, and the blood sugar will return to normal. In the case of feeding inappropriate food or causing the dog excess stress, take action to ensure this does not happen again.

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Recovery of High Blood Sugar in Dogs

It is important to follow-up with the veterinarian in order to monitor blood sugar levels. However, frequency will vary depending upon your diagnosis. A diagnosis of diabetes mellitus will require in most cases, twice daily insulin injections and strict dietary changes, limiting the sugar intake and feeding high-protein, high-fiber, low-fat, and low-carbohydrate diet. Close monitoring of your dog’s blood glucose is critical to make sure the dose of insulin is correct. Consult the veterinarian about proper level of exercise for your dog’s body type and health, and work to maintain optimum body weight.

In addition to dietary guidelines, strictly follow all of the veterinarian’s advice. In the case of diabetes, pancreatitis and hyperadrenocorticism, rechecks and follow-up blood tests by your veterinarian are very important to monitor your dog’s recovery in order to catch possible re-emergence of symptoms or drug side effects.

High blood sugar could lead to serious medical conditions like diabetes. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs.

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Consequences of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Why is high blood sugar dangerous?

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

September 17, 2020
ifoucare editorial

In the early stages of type 2 diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes often ask, “Why take medication, control my blood sugar, and adjust my diet when I feel good?” You may not realize all the dangers that hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) creates, but uncontrolled type 2 diabetes shortens life expectancy and provokes serious disorders in the functioning of many internal organs ¹ .

Why is high blood sugar dangerous?

The biggest threat is patients’ lack of understanding of how high blood sugar affects health. Complicating the situation is the fact that you can feel satisfactory with a blood glucose level of up to 11.1 mmol / l, while the norm is 3.3–5.5 mmol / l. However, constantly elevated sugar levels lead to serious consequences, which are based on damage to blood vessels and nerve fibers.

Damage to blood vessels

The main cause of damage to medium and large vessels in diabetes mellitus (macroangiopathy) is atherosclerosis ² , which can lead to heart attack, stroke and gangrene of the lower extremities. Changes in small vessels (microangiopathy) develop along a more complex path, leading to the transformation of the capillary wall. The most striking symptoms of microangiopathies are impaired kidney function and vision problems.

Damage to nerve fibers

Diabetic neuropathy refers to changes in the nerve fibers responsible for sensation. Over time, they begin to perceive signals from tissues worse.

Diabetic neuropathy occurs in 65% of patients with a disease history of more than 10 years ³ . It develops mainly in the extremities, especially in the feet and hands. Numerous symptoms indicate damage to the nerve fibers: tingling in the arms and legs, increased sensitivity to touch, pain, numbness of the limbs, and weakness. Severe neuropathy threatens with a complete loss of sensitivity: sensations of pain from cuts, calluses or circulatory disorders disappear.

Consequences of type 2 diabetes

kidney disease

According to the American Diabetes Association, kidney disease is the most common complication of type 2 diabetes ⁴ . Due to microangiopathy, the kidneys filter the blood worse. The consequences of this are devastating; in order to purify the blood of metabolic products (metabolism), which are usually excreted in the urine, patients may need hemodialysis (artificial kidney machine).

vision problems

Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the small vessels of the retina, the part of the eye that receives light impulses. Over time, this leads to deterioration of vision ⁵ , which, as a rule, manifests itself in the later stages of the disease. Left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness.

Heart diseases

High blood glucose itself damages the heart over time ⁶ and changes the properties of blood: it becomes thicker. Against the background of type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis is actively progressing, which, among other things, affects the increase in blood pressure. These factors provoke a heart attack – the death of a section of the heart muscle due to a lack of oxygen (ischemia). The danger also lies in the fact that neuropathy increases the likelihood of painless forms of acute ischemia ⁶ .

Stroke

The described vascular changes, combined with active atherosclerotic lesions characteristic of type 2 diabetes mellitus, lead to narrowing of the cerebral arteries, which sooner or later ends in acute cerebrovascular accident, better known as a stroke ⁷ .

diabetic foot syndrome

A complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus that is difficult to treat is diabetic foot syndrome, the result of damage to vessels of various sizes, neuropathy, and changes in the bones and joints of the foot. At first, the disease, as a rule, is expressed in various sensitivity disorders: burning sensation, tingling, numbness, etc. Over time, foot deformity is added to these symptoms, ulcers appear. Without treatment, the disease progresses quite rapidly and can lead to limb loss.

Sleep apnea and heavy snoring

When overweight or obese, the patient has an initial tendency to sleep apnea. With type 2 diabetes, the problem only gets worse. Constant pauses in breathing that last up to 20 seconds or more lead to the fact that the body suffers from hypoxia (lack of oxygen), and this harms the brain, heart and all body cells. In the morning the patient feels tired and lethargic, he is distracted and irritable. It increases stress levels and worsens the course of the disease ⁸ increases the risk of complications.

How to avoid complications

In order to avoid complications or minimize them, it is necessary to visit your doctor regularly, monitor your blood sugar level with a glucometer daily, follow the recommendations of an endocrinologist and not refuse treatment. With good blood glucose control, you can live a healthy, long and happy life without complications.

The text is for informational purposes and cannot replace a visit to the doctor. Specialist consultation is required.

References

1. Galstyan G.R. Chronic complications of diabetes mellitus: etiopathogenesis, clinic, treatment. breast cancer. 2002; 27: 1266 URL: https://www.rmj.ru/articles/endokrinologiya/Hronicheskie_osloghneniya_saharnogo_diabeta_etiopatogenez_klinika_lechenie/ (date of access: 24.09.2019)

2. Lukyanchikov V.S., Zvereva I.V. Pathogenesis and prevention of vascular complications in metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus. breast cancer. 2009; 10: 717. URL: https://www.rmj.ru/articles/endokrinologiya/Patogenez_i_profilaktika_sosudistyh_osloghneniy_pri_metabolicheskom_sindrome_i_saharnom_diabete_2_tipa/ (date of access: 24.09.2019)

3. Kotov S.V., Rudakova I.G., Isakova E.V., Volchenkova T.V. Diabetic neuropathy: variety of clinical forms (lecture). breast cancer. Medical review. 2017; 11:822-830.

4. Kidneys in diabetes (Nephropathy). American Diabetes Association: https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/complications/kidney-disease-nephropathy

5. Shadrichev F.E. Diabetic retinopathy (opinion of an ophthalmologist). Diabetes. 2008; 3: 8-11 URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/diabeticheskaya-retinopatiya-vzglyad-oftalmologa (date of access: 24.09.2019).

6. Alexandrov A.A., Bondarenko I.Z., Kukharenko S.S. Diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease: the search for a solution. Diabetes. 2005; 3. URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/saharnyy-diabet-i-ishemicheskaya-bolezn-serdtsa-poiski-resheniya (date of access: 09/24/2019).

7. Chernov V.F. Diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for stroke. Neurosurgery and neurology of Kazakhstan. 2010; 3 (20): 18. URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/saharnyy-diabet-kak-faktor-riska-insulta (date of access: 24.09.2019).

8. Misnikova I.V. Sleep apnea in endocrine pathology. Almanac of Clinical Medicine. 2016 April-May; 44 (4): 493–500 doi: 10.18786/2072-0505-2016-44-4-493-500

Approximately 500 children in the Krasnoyarsk Territory are diagnosed with diabetes mellitus

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Diabetes mellitus is widespread in the world, according to the International Diabetes Federation, about 200 million people suffer from this disease, among them children make up about 1%. In Russia, more than 24 thousand children are sick with diabetes. In the Krasnoyarsk Territory, about 500 children and adolescents are being treated for type 1 diabetes. Every year, endocrinologists identify about 50 newly ill people.

In the regional clinical children’s hospital in the department of gastroendocrinology there is a school for patients with diabetes. Endocrinologists explain in detail to their patients, as well as their parents, what diabetes mellitus is characterized by, how, having such a diagnosis, you need to eat right, how to use a glucometer, with which you can control blood sugar levels, and what to do if blood sugar is sharp rose.

Diabetes develops due to lack of insulin in the human body. For this reason, glucose, which a person consumes as part of any carbohydrate product, cannot penetrate into the cells of organs and tissues in order to give the body the necessary energy for life. Traditionally, specialists distinguish several variants of diabetes mellitus, but two of them are most common – the first and second types.

In type 1 diabetes , the pancreas stops producing insulin for a number of reasons. This variant of diabetes is especially typical for children and adolescents. As a rule, such patients are annually examined and treated within the walls of the regional clinical children’s hospital. Four times a year, blood is taken from such children to study the level of glycated hemoglobin, in fact, in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization. glycated hemoglobin analysis is the most necessary and effective method in diagnosing diabetes mellitus. Also, patients with a diagnosis of diabetes need to control blood sugar levels up to eight times a day before and after meals.

Treatment of children with type 1 diabetes is carried out only with insulin preparations, which the patient should receive daily instead of the hormone that is absent from him, throughout his life. To do this, insulin pump therapy is used in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, when a device the size of a cell phone injects insulin according to a program specified for a particular child, and the injection catheter is constantly in the subcutaneous tissue and is changed every 3 days. This saves the patient from daily multiple injections, and allows him to most accurately select the dose of insulin. Insulin pumps are expensive, but in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, thanks to an ongoing charity program, more than 120 children have already received an insulin pump for free.

Experts predict that with the development of medical technology, it is possible that in the near future the life of people with diabetes will become easier and better if remote-controlled pumps, without catheters, etc.