Animals are most likely to be diagnosed with diabetes just like humans. In fact, the trend is increasing, which is why veterinarians are developing tools used by diabetic humans to treat our feline and canine companions.
Now vets are using human tool such as the glucose monitor to develop treatments for Fido and Mittens. This monitor is surgically implanted under the animal's skin and tracks the concentration of glucose in the blood. So, just like in humans, pets with high blood glucose levels experience extreme thirst, frequent urination and fatigue. Thus, if not treated, high blood sugar can cause blindness and kidney failure.
Since diabetes is on the rise in animals, vet Amy DeClue of the University of Missouri-Columbia wrote in the journal 'Clinics in Laboratory Medicine' that just like humans, animals have difficulty regulating their blood sugar on their own because their bodies do no produce enough insulin that can lower blood glucose.
These glucose monitors can give continuous tracking of blood glucose and the insulin level response to drugs, meals and exercise, both for animals and humans. Earlier, vets had to keep track of the insulin and glucose levels by keeping the animal at the clinic, which caused the animal stress. Stress, in turn affected the over all reading and gave in accurate tracking results. Thus, these monitors are much more useful, accurate and give the reading in a natural environment without causing trouble or stress to the animal.
I guess these glucose monitors are wonderful form of treatment and most animal lovers will find them very useful. I wish we would have these in our part of the world where medical facilities and treatment for animals are minimal.
