Diabetes is not a human condition, but it is quite common in older pets as well, and with the changing lifestyle it can strike any domestic animal at any stage of time. Sadly, the number of pets being diagnosed with diabetes is increasing year after year due to greater reliance on manufactured convenience food. Diabetes in pets occurs when the pet’s body can’t consume glucose normally or does not make enough. Thankfully, these condition is now manageable.
Managing The Diet
Managing the pet’s diet is the most important thing that you can do to manage the condition and improve it. Studies continue to give different ideas, that a high fiber, low-fat diet is the most suitable diet for managing diabetes. One of the reasons for this is fiber slows down the entrance of sugar in the blood and helps your pet feel full so that he is less likely to overeat.
Enough Exercise
Regular exercise is most crucial for diabetic pets for getting relief from symptoms and getting their blood sugar levels under control. It is recommended not to push your pet too much. Instead, build a moderate level of exercise routine that the pet can sustain without too much exertion. The length and degree of intensity of exercise should remain the same each day, as long or vigorous sessions could result in blood sugar levels dropping rapidly.
Monitor Weight
The two tips mentioned above, are the biggest contributors to weight management. As obesity is the major cause of pet health problems including diabetes, it is important to do your best to reduce the weight of your obese pet or manage the weight that is currently in the healthy weight range. This help in reducing diabetes symptoms, but also helps in eliminating the condition altogether.
Monitor Blood Sugars
Regularly monitor your pet’s blood sugar to identify and potentially avoid dangerous fluctuations in his blood sugar levels before that can negatively affect your pet’s health. There are various tools available in the market that you can use to monitor them, such as blood glucose meters and ketone test strips for his urine. If the results of regular tests start to incline towards high or low, you have time to take swift action that could save him from a serious medical emergency.
Supplements
Sometimes diabetes can have a negative effect on the pet’s eyesight. More than 75% of dogs with diabetes have changes to develop cataracts, which is the clouding of the natural lens of the eye, often within 9 months of the diabetes diagnosis. Many animals even undergo cataract surgery, in order to slow or reduce the risk of ocular problems it is recommended to take supplements that can be prescribed by your vet.
Refer Your Veterinarian
Your vet has the training and experience to support you and your pet with all medical problems effectively. If you are looking to obtain a diagnosis or if you want to discuss ways how to manage the pet’s condition, our vet is here to assist you.
For more advice and support, from our experienced and professional team please call us today to book an appointment.
