Diabetes mellitus is insufficient release or inability to use insulin to regulate blood sugar.  The insulin is made in the pancreas, and so sometimes other pancreatic problems or other endocrine issues can occur with the diabetes.  If the pancreas cannot produce insulin to break down sugars or carbohydrates, then the best first line of defense is to eliminate sugars from the diet.  Remember that grains such as rice, wheat, corn, and roots such as carrots, potatoes, and of course pasta, sweets and anything with starches or sugar are going to cause difficulties in these animals, since these are all forms of sugar that insulin has to process.

            Symptoms of diabetes include excessive drinking of water and urination.  This is the body’s way of trying to dilute out the high sugar in their blood.  Disorientation, grumpiness, obesity and sluggishness, or rapid weight loss and loss of muscle strength are all symptoms that can point to diabetes.  Cataracts and diabetic nerve damage, as well as difficulty healing wounds can all be secondary effects of uncontrolled high blood sugar. If really severe, ketosis can occur.  This means that the body mobilizes fat because it cannot utilize carbohydrates for energy.  The byproducts from this change in metabolism create a stuporous, very sickly patient who can decline rapidly without emergency intervention.

Certain prescription drugs can contribute to insulin resistance, such as prednisone, a steroid—especially after long-term use.  Diets high in carbohydrates and obesity are also common culprits that can predispose an animal to developing diabetes. Other disease processes can increase the body’s natural steroids, such as stress, pain from stiff joints or arthritis, anxiety, and Cushing’s disease.  Elevations of natural steroids in the body can also contribute to elevations in blood sugar, by decreasing insulin sensitivity.

            I have had many cat patients be able to come off of insulin when we simply eliminate carbs from their diet.  Cats are, after all, obligate carnivores.  They should be eating meat that is highly digestible with a high moisture content.

            Dogs often will need to stay on some insulin therapy, however there is promise with certain foods that this may change.  Both cats and dogs respond well to acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas for diabetes.  Some may be able to regulate on these alone, if caught early.  They are also a nice adjunctive treatment when having difficulty regulating blood sugar while already on insulin. 

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