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Diabetes Mellitus

Animal & Bird Medical Center of Palm Harbor
Medical Database

Endocrine Disease

Diabetes Mellitus

General Information
Diabetes mellitus is a disease caused by a deficiency of insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and is necessary for body tissues to use blood sugar. Without insulin, sugar remains in the blood and eventually passes into the urine. This causes increased urine production and thirst. Hunger increases because the body cannot use the sugar in the blood. As the disease progresses, chemicals called ketones accumulate, resulting in vomiting and dehydration. Eventually coma and death occur in untreated animals.

Diabetes mellitus is not a curable disease, but, with proper insulin administration, the disease can be controlled.

Important Points in Treatment
1. Blood and urine sugar levels must be monitored very carefully until your pet’s condition is stabilized. Once your pet’s insulin requirements are determined and blood sugar levels are stabilized, only the urine sugar level needs to be monitored.

Low blood sugar reactions: Occasionally insulin treatment may result in blood sugar levels that are too low. This is most likely to happen 3 to 7 hours after insulin treatment, especially with strenuous exercise. Your pet may seem weak, tired, or uncoordinated, or may have a seizure. Always keep a sugar-containing syrup (for example, Karo) handy to treat low sugar levels. If your pet has a seizure, rub the syrup on the gums and inside the lips. Do not try to force a convulsing animal to swallow the syrup. Call the doctor if your pet does not improve within a few minutes.
 Hormone reactions: Hormones present during “heat” and pregnancy antagonize the effects of insulin. Diabetic females should be spayed as soon as their insulin levels are regulated.
Re-examination: During the early weeks of treatment, several re-examinations may be necessary. Call the doctor when questions or problems arise. Make sure you fully understand all aspects of home care.
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An Important Update From Animal & Bird Medical Center On COVID-19

We are committed to offering a safe and healthy environment for our clients, pets and hospital team here at Animal and Bird Medical Center. The best way to avoid becoming ill is to avoid exposure to the virus. Taking typical preventive actions is key.

In being cautious and mindful of everyone’s safety, we are actively working to minimize your exposure to crowded exam rooms and long waits in the lobby.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made some changes to our protocols in-hospital for the time-being…

In order to limit exposure while still providing quality care for your pet, we will be implementing special protocols to keep you safe.

We will have our veterinary technicians get a history of the patient’s symptoms and owner’s concerns via phone prior to coming into the clinic.

  • Upon arrival, owners can call us from the curb in front of the clinic and we will have a technician assistant come to your car and bring your pet inside.
  • From here, your pet will be examined and the doctor will develop a treatment plan which he will then communicate via phone with the owner.
  • At the end of the visit, an invoice will be brought out to your car and payment can be taken via phone.

Our goal is for you to be able to bring your pet in for medical care but have no risk for you or our dedicated staff of transmitting the COVID-19 virus.

The Doctors and staff are dedicated to making sure your pet’s medical needs are taken care of during this national crisis.

We can still fill prescriptions for pick up, however, for those who prefer, non-narcotic and non-urgent prescriptions can be mailed to your home.

As always, careful hand-washing and other infection control practices can greatly reduce the chance of spreading any disease.