According to an article in Pet Business magazine, a new study indicates that the rate of diabetes in pets is rising faster than that for humans.
The 2011 “State of Pet Health” report is based on data from more than 2.5 million dogs and cats that visited Banfield Pet Hospital facilities in 43 states. The study found that over the last four years, diabetes rates in the US rose by nearly one-third among dogs and by 16% among cats. By comparison, human diagnoses of diabetes rose 10% over the same period.
The most common signs of diabetes in pets include excessive urination, and excessive thirst and weight loss despite a good appetite. Managing the disease can include dietary changes, insulin injections, and regular monitoring by a vet.
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal documented a few “typical” cases of overweight pets. Overfeeding and lack of exercise accounted for most of the weight gain.
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