Arhīvs
Diabetes in cats – Diabetes Mellitus in Cats
In North America, one of the up and coming disease “epidemics” to be noted in people is diabetes (diabetes mellitus). This is a disease that most often affects obese, middle-aged patients. Coincidently, the same phenomenon can be found in our domestic cats, with the number of diabetic cats being diagnosed increasing every year. Why the sudden increase in diabetic cats? It’s likely in part due to the North American lifestyle – more is better.
My Cat Has Diabetes…Now What?
Most people, upon hearing that their cat has been diagnosed with diabetes, panic about what this may mean for their cat, and themselves, in regards to long-term care. Having to give insulin shots can be intimidating. Monitoring their cat’s glucose levels regularly can be expensive or they may fear that their cat may not have a long, productive life. Lasīt tālāk…
What is Feline Diabetes, and How Does it Affect My Pet’s Health?
| Diabetes is a disorder affecting the processing of glucose (blood sugar) in the body. The digestive system breaks food down into various components, including glucose, that enter the bloodstream. Glucose is absorbed by cells to use for energy. Insulin is the hormone that signals the cells to take up the glucose — without it, the glucose stays in the blood.In a normal digestive system, the arrival of food stimulates the organ called the pancreas to secrete insulin into the bloodstream to regulate glucose levels. More food, more insulin. More insulin, less glucose in the blood (and more in cells to use for energy). At its simplest, diabetes is a disorder of this process. If there isn’t enough insulin or if insulin can’t act properly on cells, the glucose level in the blood stays too high and the glucose is not available for the cells to use as energy. Lasīt tālāk… |
What is Diabetes?
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disorder where the body is unable to regulate blood sugar levels.
Blood sugar levels are controlled, in part, by insulin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas, a small organ located in the abdomen. Insulin is made by the pancreatic islet cells (also called the beta cells), then secreted into the blood, where it travels throughout the body and helps regulate blood sugar. Insulin plays an important role in the body’s ability to use and store glucose.
The body’s cells use glucose as energy. Glucose circulates in the blood and is available to all the cells as a source of energy. In order to be used for energy, glucose must get inside the cell. Insulin attaches to receptors on the cell, which in turn allows glucose to pass from the blood into the cell. It’s like a key to a door: insulin is the key, and it must attach to the cell before glucose can get through the door and into the cell. Lasīt tālāk…
You just learned your pet has diabetes
You just learned your pet has diabetes
I wrote this essay to help people whose pet has recently (or not so recently) been diagnosed with diabetes. Many of the things discussed below will probably go through your thoughts. Hopefully this will help you understand your new situation and you won’t feel so overwhelmed.
The First Day
The initial shock and fear you feel when the vet tells you that your pet has diabetes can be overwhelming. Diabetes is a treatable condition and your pet can live a normal, happy, healthy life. Diabetes is not a death sentence for your pet. Lasīt tālāk…
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