Diabetes mellitus is a chronic hormonal illness characterised by high levels of glucose in the blood. It is seen in dogs and cats as well as humans, and is commoner in the overweight and obese. There is no cure, but treatment, which may or may not include insulin injections, can maintain a healthy and active life.Pathology: Diabetes occurs when the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas stop producing sufficient insulin to cope with the body’s glucose load (Type 1 diabetes), or when the peripheral tissues in the body that react to insulin become resistant to its effect (Type 2 diabetes).Symptoms: These include weight loss (more likely in type 1 diabetes), thirst, excessive drinking (polydipsia), increased urination (polyuria), increased appetite, increased blood glucose (hyperglycaemia), blindness, weakness and depressionCauses include obesity, chronic pancreatitis, and stress (cortisol, one of the stress hormones, makes fat cells less sensitive to insulin). In addition there is a an increased incidence in certain dog breeds.Diagnosis depends on a urine test followed by a confirmatory blood test for glucose levels.Effects of Diabetes: There is an increased incidence of cataracts, premature death, problems in pregnancy, infections (especially bladder) and pancreatitis.Insulin, diet and exercise are the mainstay of current Western Treatment. […]

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