The 3 Ps

Want to know what Mary Tyler Moore and  Patti LaBelle have in common with my neighbor's 7 year-old cat? Not sure? Well ....they all have Diabetes.

Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce any (or not enough) insulin necessary to regulate the body's blood sugar levels correctly. It can cause major health problems, complications with other illnesses, and in some extreme cases, even death. November is American Diabetes Month and it's important for pet owners to know that their pets can have diabetes just like people. (for more information visit Dr. Ruth MacPhee at www.mycathasdiabetes.com)

Recent studies show that  approximately 1 in every 300 dogs, and 1 in every 200 cats have diabetes (Type 2). Fortunately, just as with people, there are many effective ways to manage a pet's diabetes by working closely with a family veterinarian. There are some obvious symptoms that come with diabetes. Doctors in human and veterinary medicine advise people to look for "The 3 Ps):

        1. Polydipsia: excessive thirst

        2. Polyphagia: excessive eating

        3. Polyuria: excessive urinating

These, along with weight loss and lethargy are important signs which could indicate diabetes and it's essential to take the pet to a qualified veterinarian. Do any of you have (or had) a pet with diabetes? What else should people know about this disease? Please let us know.  (photo from bigstockphoto.com)

--Dana

Related articles you might find helpful:

8 Tips for Making Decisions for Your Pet

ClayPaws® Prints are Cherished Links to Pets

Comments

[Susan]

Good to know what to look for! Thanks for posting!

[turtlecookie]

If I feed my pets good quality pet food, do I reduce their risks of diabetes? Is there some way I should be supplementing them to prevent this disease? How important is exercise to the prevention of diabetes in dogs and cats?

Turtlecookie

[Dana]

Hi Turtlecookie,
Please remember that I am not a veterinarian, but my opinion is yes...good nutrition and exercise is just as important for our pets as it is for us. That of course, cannot guarantee that an animal will not develop diabetes. If you are truly concerned, it's a good idea to talk it over with your veterinarian and express your concerns and get his/her recommendations. Thanks for your interest!