Hi newsletter friends! It’s your Petersen Pet canine Sam here, and today, I wanted to talk about a health condition that is ruff on dogs and a hissing fit for cats: diabetes. While you may have two-legged friends with a diabetes diagnosis, did you know your four-legged friends could also have the same condition? What is diabetes? In your pets, diabetes is a condition that can affect the concentration of glucose in your furry friend’s blood and urine. It can occur when their bodies cannot create enough insulin, stop producing the hormone, or don’t use it properly, which can cause issues when trying to convert food into energy. Border Collie Cor It’s Pet Diabetes M
Remy and His Teeth
Symptoms to look for: Some of the tell-tale signs of pet diabetes include:
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Drinking lots of water Excessive urination
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Extreme weight loss
My family adopted an elderly blue merle Shetland sheepdog in August 2022. He had several health issues, but we felt compelled to adopt him so that we could
Lack of energy
Eating more
give him a good last part of his life. We named him Remy, and I had grand plans to brush his teeth daily because Shetland sheepdogs are predisposed to developing severe dental disease. My plans were derailed when we found out he was mostly blind and would try to bite if you startled
If diabetes goes untreated, it can severely affect your pet’s body and cause other conditions, such as cataracts, enlarged liver, UTIs, seizures, and kidney failure. So, it’s best to have your pet examined sooner rather than later.
or touched him in ways he did not like. He had a professional tooth cleaning right away upon adopting him so that he could have a fresh start, but unfortunately, he could not have any teeth brushing or even an oral exam because of his behavior.
Easy 3-Ingredient Salmon Cat Treats
Remy before (left) and after (above) his annual cleaning
His behavior has improved, but I am still leery of trying to do things to his mouth. As the year anniversary of his adoption approached, his breath was getting worse, and I knew it was time for professional teeth cleaning again. Thankfully, he did not need any extractions, his teeth are nice and clean again, and his oral health is much improved. Since I cannot brush his teeth at home, I know he will need a yearly dental cleaning to keep his mouth healthy. Imagine if we did not brush our teeth for an entire year! All dogs and cats develop tartar on their teeth over time, regardless of teeth brushing or dental chews/treats. If left unchecked, continued tartar accumulation can lead to bacterial infections, bad breath, bone loss, tooth mobility or loss, and mouth pain. Performing professional teeth cleaning sooner rather than later gives you the best chance at reducing the risks of dental disease and helps keep your pet happy and healthy. Contact us at Petersen Pet Hospital if you have questions about your pet’s oral hygiene.
—Dr. Sarah Young
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