Know the signs of diabetes in your pet

Just like people, dogs and cats are susceptible to diabetes. As a pet owner, it's important to know and recognize the warning signs so your pet can receive the veterinary care they need to lead a happy and comfortable life. Here are some signs to watch out for in your pet that may indicate they are diabetic.

Frequent urination
At the shelter, we monitor all the animals to make sure they are going to the bathroom regularly. A change in an animal's bathroom habits is one of the earliest indicators that we have that an animal may be ill. When an animal has diabetes, they may ask to go outside more often or you may notice accidents in your home or near the litter box. If your pet is peeing more frequently or having repeated accidents in your home, it's time to take them to the vet.

Drinking lots of water
Do you find yourself repeatedly refilling your pet's water bowl? Frequent urination leads to drinking more water. In fact, drinking lots of water is one of the most obvious and early warning signs that your pet may be diabetic. You may not notice a change in your cat's litter box habits rights away, but you'll certainly notice that his water dish is always empty.

Increased appetite, decreased weight
Some pets with diabetes become quite ravenous even though they are being fed regularly. And, despite the increased food consumption, they may experience sudden weight loss. Sudden weight loss, in general, should always be a concern in pets and can mean any number of illnesses.

Inactivity
Sudden changes in your pet's activity level can be another sign of an illness like diabetes. Some pets, especially seniors, may not be overly active on a daily basis anyway, so look for signs of weakness, lethargy, or depression. Cats, for example, may normally snooze the day away, but a cat that's ill may be too weak to even change sleeping spots.

Changes in your pet's coat
Something as simple as handling your pet every day can help you detect a possible sign of diabetes. A change in your pet's coat is an indicator that there may be an underlying illness. Changes include dry, dull, and thinning hair, especially along your pet's back.

Although diabetes in pets is manageable, it's important to get your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible if you suspect they may be diabetic. If left untreated, diabetes can leads to other health problems and, eventually, it will lead to coma and death. If you suspect your pet may be diabetic, take them to the vet right away.

Alaina Goodnough is the Promotions Coordinator at Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover, NH. She lives in Sanford, ME with two parrots, a cockatoo, two cats, a bearded dragon, and two dachshunds. She can be reached at CVHS at devassist@cvhsonline.org. To learn more about Cocheco Valley Humane Society, go to www.cvhsonline.org or call 603-749-5322.