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my pet’s diabetes
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What is
diabetes?
During digestion food is broken down into components that can
be used by the body. Carbohydrates (starches) are converted into
sugars. Glucose is the most important sugar. After absorption into the
bloodstream, glucose provides the body’s cells with energy.
Glucose gets into cells through the actions of a hormone called insulin.
If there is a shortage of insulin, glucose stays in the bloodstream and
a condition known as diabetes mellitus develops.
Diabetes mellitus is basically a shortage of insulin. In some cases,
this is a relative shortage brought about by overproduction of other
hormones, which counteract the action of insulin.
Can your pet be cured of diabetes?
In general, diabetes mellitus is not curable but it is manageable.
With your help and the care of your veterinary surgeon, your pet can
lead a normal, healthy life. The keys to this are working with your
veterinary surgeon and maintaining a regular diet and exercise routine,
monitoring your dog’s or cat’s signs and treatment with Intervet’s
insulin, Caninsulin®.
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Diabetic pets can enjoy h
Insulin
Diagnosis
The hormone insulin that keeps your pet’s blood glucose
Signs like those of diabetes mellitus may also be seen in
normal is produced by special cells in the pancreas.
other diseases. Your veterinary surgeon will confirm the
In diabetic animals, these cells produce too little or no
diagnosis of diabetes in your pet by carrying out some
insulin. Diabetes is most common amongst intact bitches
examinations and tests, such as urine and blood tests.
and castrated male cats, but also can be seen in young
animals of either species or sex.
Other hormones
Symptoms of diabetes
The ovaries produce a hormone called progesterone
during the part of the female dog’s cycle that follows
Excessive glucose in your pet’s blood can exceed the
‘heat’. Progesterone has a negative influence on the
‘glucose threshold’ of the kidneys. When this happens
action of insulin. Bitches with diabetes should be
glucose is excreted in the urine. This results in extra
spayed as soon as possible to eliminate the progesterone
fluid loss from the body causing the animal to drink and
source. Products containing progesterone-like substances,
urinate more. Glucose, an important fuel (energy source)
such as those used to suppress heat, should be avoided
is being lost. So, a diabetic animal may eat more than
because they also counteract the action of insulin.
normal but lose weight. The most important signs of
diabetes mellitus in your pet are:
1. urinating too much
2. drinking too much water
3. increased appetite but losing weight
healthy, normal lives
Insulin administration
Treatment and monitoring
Your pet’s insulin supply can be restored by regular
Monitoring your pet is critical to managing its diabetes.
injections of Caninsulin. This is easy, takes very little
Your veterinary surgeon will use the information you
time and is not painful.
provide, along with other data, to design an effective
treatment programme for your pet. This process may
Starting Caninsulin therapy
include blood samples, sometimes taken throughout
a whole day, and other investigations.
Once stabilised on insulin, most diabetic dogs and cats
are able to lead a normal life. Your veterinary surgeon
Future adjustments
will provide you with the supplies and instructions you
need to care for your diabetic pet at home. You will learn
It is important to realise that diabetes is a constantly
how to administer insulin and monitor your pet’s
evolving disease. Although your diabetic pet may have
progress.
been stable for a long time, changes in dose may suddenly
be required. This is why it is important to continue to
Caninsulin treatment is tailored to suit each diabetic pet’s
monitor your pet’s progress – even after months or years
individual requirements. To begin with, your veterinary
of treatment – and consult
surgeon will establish a starting dose of Caninsulin for
your veterinary surgeon if
your pet based on its weight and possibly its blood
anything unusual occurs.
glucose level. Once a maintenance dose of Caninsulin
has been established, your pet’s signs will improve,
particularly its excessive thirst and need to urinate.
Storage and administration
1. Store the Caninsulin vial upright in the fridge.
2. Remove the Caninsulin from the fridge and mix it by
inverting the vial a few times.
3. Fill the insulin syringe with correct amount of Caninsulin.
4. Remove any air bubbles by tapping the syringe with your
finger and then press the plunger very gently.
5. Draw the skin gently upwards and make a small hollow
with your index finger.
6. Place the needle in this hollow and push it gently
through the skin. Release the skin.
7. Depress the syringe plunger steadily.
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Managing your pet’s diet and activity.
The daily dose of Caninsulin is adjusted to match
The activity level of your pet should remain unchanged
your pet’s daily energy requirements. So, your pet’s
and regular. If an animal is suddenly very active (e.g.
diet and activity are critical. Always feed your pet the
longer walks, excitement about visitors, etc.) it uses
same amount of the same food at the same time each
more glucose (energy). This can result in very low
day. Your veterinary surgeon will advise on a commercial
blood sugar levels. In fact, very low glucose levels
diet. Diets low in fat and with the right protein source
can deprive the brain of energy and your pet could
are favoured for most diabetic pets. Don’t worry if your
lose consciousness. If this happens, you will need
pet will not eat the special food. Although less ideal,
to administer glucose immediately (see “Be prepared
a diabetic pet can be fed other types of food.
for hypoglycaemia”).
Dogs
Cats
Caninsulin is formulated in such a way that, after the
Diabetic cats must be fed regularly. Some cats prefer
insulin is absorbed from the injection site, there are
eating small amounts throughout the day. If this is
two peaks of insulin activity. Diabetic dogs are usually
your cat’s habit, your veterinary surgeon probably will
fed at least twice daily – once to ensure that they are
not try to change it. Many cats simply refuse to eat
feeling well and able to eat and once to make sure
different food. If your diabetic cat will not eat the diet
they have enough glucose available to match the
prescribed, your veterinary surgeon will advise you on
insulin they have been given. To ensure a uniform
another suitable diet. If your cat is overweight,
diet, it is preferable to use commercial diets only.
your veterinary surgeon will advise a weight
However tempting, never give your pet any titbits or
management programme to help reduce its weight
treats unless these have been approved as suitable for
gradually. Weight loss will make your cat’s diabetes
a diabetic dog by your veterinary surgeon. This will
easier to manage.
require the co-operation of your family and friends too!
Be prepared for hypoglycaemia.
One of the most important complications seen in diabetic
What to do if you see these signs
pets on insulin treatment is an unduly low blood glucose
level, called “hypoglycaemia”. Situations where this may
1. Provide food immediately
occur include:
2. If your pet refuses to eat or cannot eat, administer
Your cat has diabetes mellitus.
It’s not alone. An estimated 1 out
a glucose source as quickly as possible. Always keep
1. If your pet has received its usual dose of insulin
a ready source of glucose to make a solution quickly,
but has not eaten its normal quantity of food.
for example glucose powder which can be mixed with
2. If your pet has been abnormally active, leading to
of 500 cats develops diabetes. It
an abnormally high use of energy (glucose).
3. If your pet has received too much insulin for its
occurs most often in elderly cats,
current needs.
Your dog has diabetes mellitus.
It’s not alone. An estimated
tap water. Give one gram of glucose per kilogram body
weight. Administer the solution very carefully,
1 in 500 dogs develops diabetes.
particularly if your pet is unable to swallow properly
or is unconscious. Make sure the solution does not
It occurs most often in middle-aged
go down the wrong way. If your pet is unconscious or
especially neutered males. With
insulin therapy and diet you can
Although hypoglycaemia is not a frequent complication,
unable to swallow, rub the glucose solution onto the
it is important for you to know what to do. If the blood
gums and especially under the tongue. Watch your
sugar level is too low, the brain does not receive enough
glucose. This can lead to a potentially fatal situation.
successfully manage your cat’s
trembling or shivering, unusual movements or behaviour,
loss of consciousness (coma) and unusual quietness or
will help to make this possible
bitches. With insulin therapy, diet
fingers to avoid an accidental bite.
3. As soon as your pet shows signs of recovery, feed it
a small amount of its normal food. Watch your pet
Watch out for these important signs: restlessness,
health. Your veterinary surgeon
sleepiness.
to older dogs, especially intact
and exercise you can successfully
closely for several hours to make sure that the signs do
not return and feed small amounts of food regularly.
manage your dog’s health. Your
4. If your pet’s condition worsens or
veterinary surgeon will help to
you are unsure, telephone your
veterinary surgeon immediately.
make this possible with Caninsulin.
with Caninsulin.
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I
Get more information about Caninsulin online
Visit the Caninsulin website for owners of diabetic pets at
www.pet-diabetes.com
www.pet-diabetes.com
Notes from your veterinary surgeon about your pet’s diabetes treatment:
DOSE
DIET
REMARKS
What you will need to treat diabetes
1. Caninsulin (insulin for dogs and cats)
2. Insulin syringes 40 IU (International Units)
3. Complete commercial food
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4. Glucose source for emergencies
5. A place to record your pet’s progress (signs of diabetes, weight)
6. Home monitoring equipment, if advised by your veterinary surgeon
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Your veterinary surgeon’s contact details
Intervet International bv • P.O. box 31 • 5830 AA Boxmeer • The Netherlands
Phone: +31 485 587600 • Fax: +31 485 577333 • E-mail: [email protected] • www.intervet.com
060050 No part of this brochure may be reproduced in any form without written permission from Intervet International.
EXERCISE
manage
my pet’s diabetes