Diabetes is a common and often serious condition that occurs in both people and pets. However, with proper treatment, it is manageable. At West Park Animal Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, we provide expert, compassionate care to help manage your pet’s diabetes so they can live a full and happy life.

If your dog or cat has been diagnosed with diabetes, you’re not alone. Our veterinary team is here to guide you through every step of treatment and care. Our resources and treatment techniques can help with medication, nutrition, and monitoring.

What Is Diabetes in Pets?

Diabetes mellitus occurs when the body can’t properly produce or use insulin, which leads to high blood sugar levels. While diabetes most commonly affects middle-aged and senior pets, it can occur at any age in both dogs and cats. Early diagnosis and consistent care are key to managing diabetes. With proper treatment, your pet may avoid serious complications such as kidney disease, cataracts, or nerve damage.

Signs and symptoms of diabetes include the following:

• Increased thirst and urination
• Weight loss, even with a healthy appetite
• Lethargy or weakness
• Cloudy eyes
• Vomiting or loss of appetite in advanced cases

Diabetes Care Services at West Park Animal Hospital

Diabetes requires ongoing care and attention. With proper veterinary support, most pets respond well to treatment. At West Park Animal Hospital, we offer a complete range of veterinary services to help you confidently manage your pet’s diabetes.

Diagnosis

If we suspect your pet may have diabetes, we’ll begin with blood and urine tests to confirm the diagnosis. These tests are done in our in-house laboratory, enabling us to determine your pet’s blood glucose levels. We’ll also screen for any related health issues so that we can create a comprehensive care plan.

Personalized Treatment Plans

Every pet is unique, and their treatment should be too. Our veterinary team will develop a plan tailored to your pet’s lifestyle, weight, and needs. These plans often include daily insulin injections, special nutrition, and routine monitoring.

• Insulin therapy: Insulin therapy is the most effective way to treat diabetes. After our examination, we’ll prescribe the right type and dosage of insulin. We’ll also show you how to administer these injections safely and properly at home.
• Blood glucose monitoring: There are several options to monitor blood sugar that will be discussed, chosen, and implemented based on the individual case. This could involve blood tests in-clinic or monitoring devices at home.
• Nutrition and diet: Diet plays a significant role in controlling blood sugar. We give your pet a recommendation for diabetes-friendly pet food and help you create a feeding schedule that supports stable glucose levels.

Ongoing Wellness Checks

Diabetes management is a long-term commitment, and our team is with you every step of the way. We’ll schedule routine wellness exams, lab work, and rechecks to make sure your pet’s diabetes is well-controlled, so they can live a long and healthy life.

Resources for Pet Owners Managing Diabetes

We understand that a diabetes diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Our team provides resources and guidance to help you feel confident in caring for your pet at home.

Here are some of the educational tools we share with families when their pet is first diagnosed:

• American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Diabetes for Owners
• Understanding Diabetes Mellitus in Pets
• A Guide to Administering Insulin
  • Dogs
  • Cats
• Recommended Diabetic Diets
  • Dogs
  • Cats
• Cataracts in Diabetic Dogs

These resources can help provide helpful insight for pet parents. In addition, our veterinary team provides in-clinic insulin demonstrations for clients who are new to this diagnosis. This hands-on training ensures you feel comfortable and confident giving your pet insulin at home. We are also working on creating our own instructional video that will be available soon.

If you ever have questions or need additional support, please contact our team. We’re here to help you every step of the way.

Manage Your Pet’s Diabetes with West Park Animal Hospital

Many pets with diabetes go on to live full, active lives. While pet diabetes is a chronic condition, it is manageable with consistent care. At West Park Animal Hospital in Cleveland, OH, we are your partner in care, offering education, support, and experienced guidance to help your pet thrive. We are committed to providing the best possible care for all pets in the West Park, North Olmsted, Berea, Rocky River, Lakewood, and the Fairview Park areas of Cleveland. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to learn more about our diabetes care services.

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