Clinical Signs of Pet Hyperglycemia
Pet hyperglycemia, also referred to as diabetes mellitus, is a condition in which cats and dogs develop a shortage of the hormone insulin. Insulin is responsible for regulating glucose and other nutrients in the cells. The hormone imbalance leads to an overabundance of sugar in the blood of pets. The College of Veterinary Medicine states that diabetes is often seen in middle to older pets, but it can also occur in puppies and kittens. Hyperglycemia is more common in female canines and in male felines. The condition can be brought on by many factors, including aging or a hormonal abnormality. No cure exists for hyperglycemia, but the condition can be regulated with insulin.
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Excessive Thirst and Urination
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Heightened thirst, also known as polydipsia, and excessive urination, known medically as polyria, may be signs of hyperglycemia. The loss of glucose causes more urine than normal to be produced in a pet’s body. As glucose is sifted from the kidneys, it takes water with it. To counteract this higher loss of water from the body, a cat or dog consumes more water. This creates a cycle; the more water consumed, the more the animal has to urinate.
Change in Eating Habits
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With hyperglycemia your pet will display a change in eating habits. The lack of insulin results in the brain becoming denied of sugar. This causes the cat or dog to experience an increase in appetite. While your pet may eat more, the animal may actually lose weight. The weight loss can be attributed to the misuse of nutrients. Because the calories are not being used for energy, your pet begins to use body fat for energy. The more fat that is used, the more weight the pet loses.
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Depression
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Because animals need to use fat to generate energy, your pet will become more sluggish. The loss of muscle mass adds to a lack of energy. This decrease in activity can result in your pet becoming depressed and losing interest in its surroundings.
Severe Symptoms
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In severe cases, pet owners may notice their animal getting sick. Animals that use up their own fat for energy accrue waste material from this method. This waste is known as ketones. As the ketones amass in the blood system, it can cause your pet to vomit. This increase in ketones in the liver is known clinically as ketoacidosis and can be harmful to your pet, requiring intravenous fluids or insulin therapy.
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