A new study from Banfield Pet Hospital, a chain of pet hospitals, says that the number of dogs and cats in America with diabetes is growing. That’s according to an article from HealthDay News.
The number of dogs with diabetes has jumped 32% since 2006. The number of cats with diabetes grew by 16%. The report linked the increased rates of diabetes to the growing number of overweight and obese pets. For example, fat cats are six times more likely to become diabetic than cats that are normal weight. Like in humans, symptoms of pets with undiagnosed diabetes include increased thirst, excessive urination and unexplained weight loss. However, there are some differences between cats and dogs.
Dogs are more likely to develop Type 1 diabetes, which means their pancreas stops making insulin. In humans, Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by a combination of genetics and environment. Cats, on the other hand, are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, which is more closely associated with diet and weight. According to the article, the animals are treated with insulin shots and special diet or exercise regiment, depending on their condition.
Researchers looked at data from 2.5 million dogs and cats seen last year.
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