Diabetes Mellitus

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                      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 then

death occur in untreated animals.  Diabetes is not a curable

disease, but with proper insulin administration, the disease

can be controlled.



                 Important Points in Treatment



1.  Blood and urine sugar 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 needs to be monitored.



2.  Insulin:  Give ____________________ units of insulin each day

    at _________ o'clock. 



3.  Urine sugar:  Test for urine sugar each day at _________

    o'clock.  Test strip readings should be less than

    _______________________________.  Call the doctor if the

    reading exceeds this level. 



4.  Diet:  Feed a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates.

    Feed as follows: 





5.  Exercise:  Exercise decreases the need for insulin.  For

    proper regulation, the amount of daily exercise must not

    vary. 



6.  Low blood-sugar reactions:  Occasionally insulin treatment

    may result in blood-sugar levels that are too low.  This is

    most likely to happen 3-7 hours after insulin treatment,

    especially with strenuous exercise.  Your pet may seem weak,

    tired or incoordinated, 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. 



7.  Hormones present during heat and pregnancy antagonize the

    effects of insulin.  Diabetic females should be spayed as

    soon as their insulin levels are regulated. 



8.  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.



       Notify the Doctor if Any of the Following Occur:



    * You cannot give the insulin as directed, or urine-sugar levels

    increase.



    * Your pet's thirst and urination increase.



    * Your pet has diarrhea or vomits.



    * Your pet acts weak or depressed.



    * Your pet has repeated bouts of low blood sugar.



    * Your pet has trouble breathing.