The global pet diabetes care market size is expected to grow from $1.86 billion in 2022 to $2.03 billion in 2023. This is a rapidly growing dis-ease. With November being National Pet Diabetes Month, let’s unpack this into its important parts, so you can have a better handle on what to look for and do naturally to help your pet.
What exactly is Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, is a condition that occurs when the body can not use glucose (a type of sugar) normally. It is considered a hormonal dis-ease. The levels of glucose in the blood are primarily controlled by the hormone insulin, which is made by the pancreas. Glucose is the main source of energy for the body’s cells.
Sugars from food as it moves through the intestines is absorbed and taken to the cells lining the intestines, where it is converted into glucose. That glucose is transported via the bloodstream to the cells throughout the body which it is instrumental in creating the energy the body needs to function. Insulin is needed for this transfer of glucose to the cells to happen. If the body isn’t producing enough of it or the body is unable to properly use the glucose it is producing, the cells don’t have the energy to carry out their functions. As tissues become starved for energy, the fat and muscle begin to break down and are converted in the liver to sugar.
- when glucose accumulates in high levels in the blood, a condition called hyperglycemia ensues
- when the blood glucose reaches a certain level, the glucose overflows into the urine, which is called glucosuria, and draws large volumes of water with it
- diabetic pets often drink more water and urinate more frequently and in larger amounts, due to this
Who can get Diabetes?
- dogs usually between 4-14 years old and most are diagnosed at about 7-10 years old
- cats are older than 6 years
- female dogs are twice as likely to develop diabetes as male dogs
- while any dog can get it, certain breeds of dogs may be predisposed to diabetes, like
– Cocker Spaniels
– Golden Retrievers
– Labrador Retrievers
– Pomeranians
– Terriers
– Toy Poodles
– Miniature Schnauzers
– Keeshonds
- obesity is a significant risk factor for developing diabetes
- other dis-eases can lead to diabetes, like hyperadrenocorticism in dogs (overactivity of the adrenal glands) or hyperthyroidism in cats (overactivity of the thyroid gland)
- longterm use of corticosteroids can also be a risk factor
The deeper why
While some say contracting diabetes is genetic, and it can be, we now know in both humans and pets, that something called epigenetics plays a large role. What is epigenetics? It is the study of how behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way genes work. Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic changes are reversible and do not change DNA sequence, but they can change how the body reads a DNA sequence. So, environmental factors play a significant role in why some dogs and cats acquire diabetes and others, don’t.
Diet is the foundation. As holistic veterinarian, Dr. Dobias, wrote, “Diabetes is very rare, or virtually absent, in dogs who eat a non-processed, grain-free diet of cooked or raw meat, raw bones, organs, and vegetables. This means that diet is one of the external epigenetic factors playing a role in diabetes. Unfortunately, it appears that processed food companies have not done their ‘homework,’ as they continue to claim that kibble is better than wholesome species-appropriate food, contrary to my clinical experience. When it comes to dogs, a wholesome diet and essential natural supplements eliminate the chances of diabetes almost entirely.”
Starchy, grain-based foods place a great deal of stress on the pancreas, not designed to process them. Over time, this chronic inflammation destroys what’s called the insulin-producing beta cells and diabetes can follow.
What are the signs of Diabetes
There are distinct signs that could mean your animal has diabetes. The sooner they are diagnosed, the better chance they have to lead a normal life. Here are signs to look out for.
- peeing more frequently and in copious amounts. This is because the excessive blood sugar in the bloodstream is being dumped into the urine and is pulling water with it because the kidneys are no longer able to filter the glucose fast enough to keep it in the blood. This condition of peeing more is called polyuria
- drinking more water, because the water pulled with the blood sugar into the urine is dehydrating your animal
- more tired than usual and stiffer/weaker. This is because your pet has no energy. The glucose that should be feeding the cells and creating energy isn’t. And, the muscles, with a lack of glucose going to them, become weaker
- your dog’s eyes look cloudy. It is apparently common for diabetic dogs to develop cataracts because the lens, which absorbs glucose from the eye fluid, converts the excess into sorbitol. When there is a large amount of glucose, a large amount of sorbitol is produced and sorbitol has a strong pull on water. So, water enters the lens and causes distortion of the fibers, blocking light from passing through. This causes the eyes to look cloudy and will also begin a process of vision loss.
- your animal’s skin and coat are dull. This is because their body isn’t receiving the nutrition it needs, because the insulin production isn’t working. This causes dehydration, which causes dry skin and coats. Dandruff and scaly skin may also present.
- a ravenous appetite, like they have to always be eating. The lack of insulin means the body can’t perceive it has glucose, so it thinks it’s starving. Those are the signals sent to the brain.
- weight loss despite eating the same amount of food. With glucose not getting to the critical organs of the body, it will break down muscle and fat out of desperation, to use those proteins and fat, and weight loss is the result.
How is Diabetes diagnosed?
Diagnosing diabetes is based on blood tests and the consistent presence of hyperglycemia (fasting high levels of glucose in the blood) and glucosuria (glucose in the urine). Your vet may also run additional tests to make sure other medical conditions aren’t present that can affect pets, especially seniors.
Dr. Dobias points out that it’s very important to have a pet tested numerous times, since the stress of having blood drawn can cause increased sugar levels
Once diagnosed with diabetes, your pet will be prescribed insulin, which must be given via injection. So, you’ll be taught how to do this. I understand from research that the needle is a tiny one and it’s a subcutaneous injection, so once you do it a couple of times, you should be fine to do. Dogs and cats generally tolerate insulin pretty well.
Natural healing suggestions
There are numerous things you can do to support your pet’s body. Here are some suggestions from some of the top holistic veterinarians around the world:
- The goal should be to reduce periods of abnormal (too high) insulin levels by giving sufficient amounts of insulin that last just the right amount of time without causing life threatening hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). Dr. Peter Dobias
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It is also important to feed two equal meals at the time of insulin administration. If your dog does not eat his or her meal, it is better to reduce or skip the insulin injection to prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) which can be life threatening. Ensure that you discuss this possibility with your veterinarian, who will recommend administering sugar syrup or honey in such an emergency. Dr. Peter Dobias
- Diabetes in cats is almost always preventable through diet and exercise, not unlike Type 2 diabetes in humans. Most cases of diabetes in cats is a result of being overweight or obese from an abundance of high carb food, a too sedentary lifestyle and over vaccinations, which can cause autoimmune disease in the pancreas and negatively affect the insulin-secreting cells. Dr. Karen Becker
- First, keep your pet LEAN!! When our pets are overweight, there is more insulin resistance and inflammation in their body, which affects the way glucose is metabolized and insulin is produced. Diet is key to this. Do not overfeed your pet. Dr. Katie Woodley
- The best way to feed a diabetic dog is to offer a species-appropriate raw or cooked diet. When you start your dog on better wholesome food, the need for insulin will likely be lower, or in some cases, your dog may be able to revert back to normal. Your veterinarian will likely do a 12 to 24-hour glucose curve test, a series of glucose measurements, and fructosamine level to adjust your dog’s insulin requirements. Dr. Peter Dobias
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Chromium is a nutrient that plays an important role in helping the body use insulin more efficiently, which in turn can help control blood sugar levels. The recommended dosage for the use of chromium in pets with diabetes is 50 to 300 mcg per day. Typically, a dosage of 200 mcg/day of chromium picolinate is recommended. Good food sources that high content of chromium include brewer’s yeast, beefsteak, and calves liver. Remember if you are using meat sources, you want them to be organic and grass fed with no GMO’s.
Using foods like buckwheat, parsley and eggs helps provide a good source of vanadium. Vanadium acts as a co-factor for various enzymes which are part of blood sugar, lipid, and cholesterol metabolism. Vanadium works by mimicking insulin, leading to lower blood sugar levels.
Oat bran is another supplement that can help lower the glycemic index of foods. These should be given with brown rice and any whole grains fed to your pets. With oat bran, give 2 tsps. per meal for every 10 lbs of weight (double this dose if your pet is obese or you want to reduce weight). Dr. Katie Woodley
Supplements to support your pet’s immune system and overall body
Implementing a strategic supplementation protocol into your dog or cat’s diet makes sense to help build their immune system and support their bodies. Here are a small selection of those I know, love and that are good for supporting dogs and cats with diabetes.
Medicinal mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms, well-sourced and utilizing the right blend, can be a huge benefit for your dog and cat. It has been shown that both maitake and reishi mushrooms can reduce blood glucose levels and help manage diabetes in dogs and cats. The 10-medicinal blend I love is HighVibe Mushrooms, which in addition to maitake and reishi, also contain eight other mushrooms that support and strengthen the heart, brain function, lungs, kidneys, immune system and more. Knowing the source of these mushrooms is a big plus for me. I know they are grown and harvested in the cleanest way, by a 30+ year mycologist, a mushroom expert. I trust this product to be healthy, effective and pure.
Trace minerals
For dogs and cats, some of the main functions that minerals perform include bone development, nerve and muscle function, balancing of fluid in cells, thyroid function, skin and coat maintenance and red blood cell production. The key trace minerals include selenium, copper, manganese, iron and zinc. A product called Cellular BOOST delivers electrolyzed trace minerals directly into your pet’s mitochondria, the heart of the cell. With two to four pumps of the Cellular BOOST spray, it goes immediately through your dog or cat’s mucous membrane into the body. Once inside the cells, the proprietary process to electrolyze them wakes the cells up, making the cell membrane more efficient in letting nutrients in and expelling toxins. I remember how Sophie reacted after her first dose. She went from being lethargic on the bed to running out into the backyard and doing a zoomie. I took a video; some of you might’ve seen it. It filled my heart! Now, with Sophie gone, Ani still takes the BOOST and so do I. This product has become a part of our daily regimen.
Removing excess toxins
Another product I swear by is Carbon 60 by Pure Bella Vita. C60, as it’s called, is the world’s most powerful antioxidant, much more powerful than Vitamin C or Vitamin E. With the level of toxicity our pets encounter every day, competing for their body’s resources to heal, I want to make sure I offload as much of that toxicity as I can for them, so their bodies truly can be freed to focus on what they were designed for. Several companies now make C60 products. I choose Pure Bella Vita because their product is formulated by the scientist, Max Champie, who discovered the medicinal uses of Carbon 60 ten plus years ago. He has the purest formulation and the only one that also has curcumin and black seed oil, both of which we know are also powerful antioxidants. None of the other brands’ formulations contain this.
Signs of hypoglycemic shock
It is absolutely essential that you work with your veterinarian and also understand how to recognize hypoglycemic shock. Dr. Peter Dobias
Being educated means you can react and response quickly and, quite possibly, save your animal’s life. Here are the signs your pet is going into hypoglycemic shock:
- Shaking
- Dizziness
- Panting
- Hunger
- Fast heartbeat
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Anxiety
In summary, prevention is the best cure when it comes to diabetes and all other dis-eases our pets can acquire. A healthy, fresh, species-appropriate diet is the foundation of the house. Key supplements that support, heal and offload toxins from the body are a great addition to a strong diet. While we didn’t talk about it in this article, mental and physical stimulation are important. Keep them exercised and engaged in life; their brains challenged regularly. And then, there’s love; the most powerful of all the healing medicines. Love them up, everyday. It’s good for you both.
I hope this has been helpful. If you have a pet with diabetes, what are you doing to manage their illness? Please share with us so we might keep learning more.
Thank you!
Jody
