Pet Diabetes Month is observed in November and is a fitting opportunity to work with pet owners to achieve and manage a healthy weight for their pets. The AVMA offers good resources to guide those discussions.
- Direct clients to view information on Your Pet’s Healthy Weight page
- Keep healthy weight brochures on-hand in your clinic for easy distribution
- Discuss complications resulting from excessive weight, including arthritis and diabetes
- Teach clients the signs of diabetes in pets:
- Excessive water drinking and increased urination
- Weight loss, even though there may be an increased appetite
- Decreased appetite
- Cloudy eyes (especially in dogs)
- Chronic or recurring infections (including skin infections and urinary infections)
- Share the AVMA “Diabetic Pets” brochure to help pet owners understand the risk and care implications of diabetes
Source: AVMA, November 2017.
Obesity is a significant risk factor for development of diabetes in pets, and more than half of pets in the United States are overweight or obese. Providing clients with complete and accurate information is one of the ways to combat excessive weight in pets.