Did you know dogs, cats and some other less commonly kept pets can become diabetic? Diabetes is essentially hyperglycemia otherwise known as high blood sugar. Often, diabetes can be diagnosed before the pet becomes very sick (ketotic) when treatment is much simpler. These animals often respond to diet changes and insulin therapy to control their sugar levels -much like humans! This is one of the many great reasons to take your pets in for routine wellness testing so that abnormalities are found before clinical signs are seen! Ask your family veterinarian about the benefits of wellness testing today!
Callie is a a 10 year old female spayed Golden Retriever who presented to I-10 Pet Emergency on advice from her veterinarian. She was only slightly ill for two days when her attentive owner took her in for evaluation. Her appetite was somewhat decreased and she had become a little weak. Blood work was performed by Callie’s regular veterinarian but results were not available until the next day and she was sent home overnight to await results. When the results returned, they showed that Callie was, in fact, pretty sick! Her sugar level was high as so was her cholesterol. Her thyroid level was low and her acid base status was also affected(she had a low pH in her blood referred to as acidosis). Callie also had ketones and large amounts of glucose in her urine. She was what we call DKA- Diabetic Ketoacidosis! She was indeed VERY SICK!
All her other blood work was within normal range for her age and breed. Based on these findings, the fact that she vomited and was becoming weaker and more dehydrated gave us reason to hospitalize her on iv fluids.
Often, pets in Callie’s condition, have concurrent disease like pancreatitis, a urinary tract infection or Cushing’s disease. X rays taken to rule out other disease processes showed that this was not the case for Callie. Her blood pressure was also evaluated and was found to be high so she was started on blood pressure medication. Thyroid medication may be started after her level is rechecked to confirm she has thyroid disease and not just sick euthyroid syndrome.
For treatment, Callie was given intravenous fluid therapy to correct her dehydration, acid base, and electrolytes abnormalities. After several hours, she was started on a continuous drip of insulin to control her glucose level. The fluids and insulin made her feel much better. Her acidosis responded to therapy and within 18 hours of starting treatment she was eating again! That was a great response to treatment! A recheck of the ketones in her urine showed that most had resolved.
Since she responded so well to initial therapy a long acting insulin was started. Her glucose continued to be monitored every 4 hours and her electrolytes and blood gas continued to be checked every 6-12 hours until normal. She continued to improve and was sent to her family veterinarian on Monday morning for continued care. She was released that night to go home with her folks.
Callie is continuing to do well at this time. She is getting a prescription diet for diabetes, long acting insulin 2 times a day, and her blood pressure medication. She has a recheck scheduled for follow up with her primary veterinarian for a blood glucose curve, to check serial blood glucose values in a 12 hour period, a recheck of her blood pressure and testing of her thyroid .
We love happy endings!
Until next time, please spay and neuter your pet and keep them healthy and indoors!
Ariana Finkelstein, DVM
I-10 Pet Emergency
10822 Fredericksburg Road
San Antonio, TX 78240