Andre Araujo
(Newspaper Brasília/CEUB news agency)

Diabetes is a disease commonly associated problem in humans. However, this disease is also found in the animal world. Diabetes in dogs and cats is very similar to diabetes in humans. More common in dogs is type 1 diabetes, which occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin completely. In cats, type 2 diabetes caused by insulin resistance is more common.

What can lead animals to develop diabetes?

Veterinarian Celine Fernandez says dogs and cats have the same risk of contracting the disease. There are several ways animals get diabetes, but the main cause is obesity.

According to the vet, other factors lead to diabetes in animals such as pancreatitis, dyslipidemia, sedentary lifestyle, unbalanced diet, hyperadrenocorticism, and hyperadrenocorticism (a condition in which there is excess cortisol production by the adrenal gland) .

treatment

“The primary treatment is the use of insulin, along with exercise and a diabetic-oriented diet,” says the vet.

Insulin treatment may vary over time, so it is essential to follow up with a veterinarian to assess his blood sugar (glucose curve).

“Treatment for dogs is based on the daily application of insulin, exercise and changes in diet. It is a little different from humans, because in some cases only humans can use oral hypoglycemic agents, ”says the specialist.