Pet Diabetes Month (November) is a nationwide campaign to raise awareness and test the UK’s cats and dogs for diabetes.
Unfortunately, like people, pets can develop diabetes (sugar diabetes – full name diabetes mellitus) and the problem is growing. It is estimated that as many as 1 in 200 pets suffer from the condition. Like us, it can often be associated with getting older (cats and dogs over 6 years of age are at most risk), putting on weight and not being active. If left untreated, diabetes can cause serious illness in your pet and even premature death. However, once diagnosed, diabetes in cats and dogs is usually relatively easy to treat and manage.
Like all illnesses, the earlier the problem is diagnosed and treated, the better. Unfortunately, your pet can’t tell you how they’re feeling. However, diabetic pets often have one or more tell-tale signs to keep an eye out for like excessive thirst, frequent urination, weight loss despite constant hunger, or lethargy.
Luckily, diabetes can usually be easily diagnosed using a simple urine test. Some pets are at higher risk than others – there is a useful, quick online assessment available to see if your pet is at risk of diabetes. If your pet is at risk, get in touch with us to have your pet tested. This November, we are offering a FREE urine glucose test stick, which you can collect from either our Torquay or Paignton reception and use to test your pet’s urine at home. The thought of collecting urine from your pet, especially a cat, may sound stressful but we have plenty of tips and can provide special cat litter that enables you to collect a sample.