Diabetes mellitus, also known as sugar diabetes, affects
all breeds of dogs.However, the most
commonly affected are Golden Retrievers, Miniature Schnauzers, and
Poodles.Obesity is a predisposing
factor that contributes to the development of diabetes.
Diabetes mellitus is caused by the pancreas’s inadequate
production of insulin.This causes the
cells to be unable to absorb glucose.The glucose levels rise in the blood stream and will eventually spill
over into the urine, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels and glucosuria.
Early symptoms of diabetes include increased appetite,
increased thirst, and weight loss.More
severe symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, cataracts, and coma.
Most diabetic dogs will need to be treated with a
combination of insulin and dietary changes.The dose of insulin needed depends on the dog’s body’s reaction to it.Dogs are started on an insulin regimen for
about a week.They will then need to
come back into the vet clinic to have a glucose curve run to watch the body’s
reaction to the insulin.The dose will
then be adjusted based on this reaction.The dog will have to make regular visits to the vet clinic in order to
monitor the blood glucose levels.In
addition, most dogs will need to be placed on a high fiber/high carbohydrate
diet.
Since we are moving into the holiday season, I thought I would write a post reminding everyone of the potential hazards for pets this time of year.
First, there are several potential dangers associated with the abundance of food we consume during the holiday season. Chocolate, especially baker's chocolate, can be very dangerous. It can cause a variety of neurologic signs. For more details about the dangers of chocolate, see my previous post on chocolate toxicity. Other foods like onions and grapes are also toxic to dogs. Additionally, turkey bones can be very dangerous. The bones can splinter and puncture the bowels leading to peritonitis or they can become lodged in the bowel and require surgery to remove. Finally, dogs that are not accustomed to eating the high fat foods that we eat at the holidays are at risk of developing pancreatitis when they are fed the leftovers. This is something that I saw quite frequently in practice. Pancreatitis causes vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, and can be life threatening. So, bottom line, DON'T let your dog join in the feasting!!!
Another danger that pets face during the holidays is the stress of so much activity going on around them. This can be especially stressful for older pets. High levels of stress most frequently causes "stress colitis". This is severe inflammation of the colon leading to bloody diarrhea.
Finally, for cats the most dangerous part of the holiday is the Christmas tree. Cats love shiny objects, especially tinsel. They have a tendency to swallow these objects. This can lead to the tinsel becoming trapped in the intestines. It usually requires surgery to remove the tinsel.
Final thoughts, the holiday season is an exciting time of the year for everyone, including out pets. With just a few precautions, you can ensure that it is also a safe time of the year.
Title: The Rescue Team
Author: Billi Tiner
Genre: YA/Animal
Fiction
Publisher: Self (July 26, 2012)
Available: $2.99 at
Amazon
Rating: 5+ stars
Rater: Lauri
From the publisher:
Ellie is shocked and confused when her owners leave
her at the animal shelter. Feeling abandoned and unloved, Ellie spends her days
staring vacantly through the gate of her pen. Ellie’s life changes when she is
finally adopted by a compassionate woman named Anne. Ellie and Anne form an
unbreakable bond of love and friendship. A thunderstorm drives Toby, a young
frightened kitten, to Anne’s porch. Anne and Ellie immediately welcome him into
their family. One night, they hear an emergency broadcast announcement that a
little girl is missing in the woods near their home. Anne, Ellie, and Toby join
in the search to find her, and an incredible rescue team is formed. The team
will be called upon again when a tornado tears through their town. Will they
find any survivors?
What I liked: This is a book that
should be on every child’s bookshelf. In it, a child can explore some tough and
scary situations inside the safe medium of a story, and her parents can be
certain the story tells her the right things. In these pages, a couple of
abandoned animals find their way to Anne, whose heart is as big as the world.
Sometimes things are hard, but this adoptive family learns to stick together,
and their love truly saves the day. (And best of all, my son loves this
story.)
What I didn’t like: Not one thing.
In sum: Buy this for
your kids - today. It’s a must-have. And if you read my reviews, you know I
almost never say that.
Welcome Home 5 stars-"Welcome Home is a well-written animal story that young readers will
enjoy... Welcome Home will be loved and remembered and reported upon by many
young pre-teen readers"-Alice D. for Readers Favorite
"Young readers who like animal stories will appreciate this warm
canine tale."- Kirkus Reviews
"Welcome Home is a charming story
of what a dog wants out of life..."- Midwest Book Review
Welcome Home
is the story of Jake, a black Labrador Retriever mix. For as long as Jake can
remember, he has been having the same dream. In his dream, he lives with a
wonderful man in a beautiful home. He has never seen the face of the man in the
dream, but he knows his voice and is certain that they are meant to be
together. When the day comes for Jake to be given away to his new home, he
believes that he will finally get to meet the man from his dreams. However,
when he is chosen, it is definitely not by the man from his dream! He is taken
to a home where he is terribly mistreated. After suffering years of abuse, Jake
finally escapes and is able to begin the search for the man he has been
dreaming of his entire life. Along the way, Jake meets some interesting characters,
survives amazing adventures, and forms life-long friendships. Join Jake on his
incredible journey home.
click image to buy now!
Friends for Life
"Tiner manages to breathe life into the book's four main characters...An
entertaining read..."- Kirkus Reviews
5
star-"Friends for Life" is so much more than just your ordinary dog
story...It is such a feel good tale that you will want to mark this as one that
will be a classic..."Reviewed by Lorraine Carey for Readers Favorite
"Friends for Life" is a strong pick for youth readers who enjoy a
dog-driven tale."- The Midwest Book Review
Bo and Rico are two puppies who meet at a pet store. The puppies are dognapped from
the pet store by two goons. Realizing they are in danger, Bo and Rico must work
together to escape the dognappers. After their escape, Bo and Rico find
themselves scared and alone on the mean city streets. They are rescued by a
streetwise stray named Tank. Tank takes the puppies under his wing and teaches
them how to survive on the streets. Bo and Rico embark on several adventures
including avoiding the local Animal Control officer, Jimmy; several run-ins with
a pack of dogs led by a stray named Mongrel; and rescuing a beautiful lost
Poodle named Pearl. Through it all, Bo and Rico form an incredible friendship
that will last a lifetime.
click image to buy now!
Heart of a Hero
"Heart of a Hero is a treasure for dog lovers."- Midwest Book
Review
5 stars-"If you are
looking for a good read for your child or teen, I highly recommend you grab
"Heart of a Hero" by Billi J. Tiner for them. This is a truly awesome book for
those who love dogs."-Joy H. for Readers Favorite
Lady, an Irish Setter puppy, is leading a simple life on a farm in Ohio during the
1940’s. Lady’s biggest desire is to become an expert hunting dog like her
mother. She has no idea that her life is going to take her down a path where she
will find herself in the middle of incredibly dangerous situations, including a
world war. On several occasions, Lady will have to find the courage to risk her
life in order to save someone she loves. The loyalty and bravery that Lady shows
throughout her lifetime illustrate what it truly means to have the heart of a
hero.
click image to buy now!
The Rescue Team
5 Stars- "I recommend this wonderful little story strongly for anyone old
enough to read. I give it 5 barks!"- Reviewed by Lee
Ashford for Readers Favorite
Ellie is shocked and confused when her owners leave her at the animal shelter. Feeling
abandoned and unloved, Ellie spends her days staring vacantly through the gate
of her pen. Ellie’s life changes when she is finally adopted by a compassionate
woman named Anne. Ellie and Anne form an unbreakable bond of love and
friendship. A thunderstorm drives Toby, a young frightened kitten, to Anne’s
porch. Anne and Ellie immediately welcome him into their family. One night, they
hear an emergency broadcast announcement that a little girl is missing in the
woods near their home. Anne, Ellie, and Toby join in the search to find her, and
an incredible rescue team is formed. The team will be called upon again when a
tornado tears through their town. Will they find any survivors?
Diabetes mellitus
affects approximately 1 in 400 cats.Obesity is the number one contributing factor to feline diabetes.However, not all cats that develop diabetes
will be overweight.Early symptoms of
diabetes include: increased appetite, increased urination, increased drinking,
and unexplained weight loss.Advanced
symptoms include: loss of appetite, vomiting, ketone breath (sweet odor), and
diabetic coma.
Diagnosis of
feline diabetes mellitus is based on symptoms, elevated blood sugar levels, and
glucose in the urine.When the pancreas
fails to produce enough insulin or the cells fail to respond properly to
insulin, the body cannot properly handle blood sugar.This leads to the elevated glucose in the
blood and this spills over into the urine.The inability to properly use blood glucose can lead to an increased
level of ketones.Ketoacidosis is a
life-threatening condition caused by elevated ketones in the blood.
There are three
types of diabetes mellitus in cats.Type
I diabetic cats are insulin dependent, meaning their pancreas is not producing
enough insulin.These cats will need to
receive regular insulin injections.In
cats with type II diabetes, the cat’s pancreas may make enough insulin but the
cat’s body does not use it properly. This
is the most common type of feline diabetes.Often, these cats will respond to oral medications and dietary
restrictions.
There are some cats that
are Type II, but need initially need insulin injections.However, eventually, their system re-regulates
and they can go off insulin.These cats
will still require a special diet.
Treating diabetic cats can
be an expensive and frustrating endeavor.The best treatment is prevention.By maintaining your cat at a healthy body weight, you will significantly
reduce the chances of the cat developing diabetes.
Hyperthyroidism
is an issue that primarily affects cats.The thyroid gland becomes hyperactive and gives off too much thyroid hormone.Hyperthyroidism in cats often goes
undiagnosed.However, in severe cases,
the most common symptom the owner sees is a cat who has a voracious appetite,
but is losing weight.Often times they
will have an unkempt hair coat.They
also have a very rapid heart rate.Other
possible symptoms included: increased urination, vomiting, restlessness, and diarrhea.
The thyroid
gland sits in the throat.A normal
thyroid gland should not be big enough to feel.However, an enlarge thyroid gland will be palpable.It will feel like two small peas on either
side of the trachea (throat).
Treatment for
hyperthyroidism includes daily medication.However, as most cat owners know, pilling a cat can be a very difficult
job.Some cats will take the pills if
they are hidden in food (i.e. hot dog, bread, cheese).Another good way to pill a cat is to put it
in the back of the throat and then squirt water in the cats mouth.This accomplishes two thing.First, the cat will be forced to swallow; and
second, the water will help the pill down the cats throat making it more
comfortable for the cat.
There is another
treatment option that is safe and is actually a cure.There are special clinics that will irradiate
the thyroid gland.It is a completely
painless process.The cat usually stays
in the hospital for a few days in order to eliminate any radioactive waste.Then they can go home and resume a normal
life.This treatment is the ideal treatment
for hyperthyroidism.However, it is also
the most expensive and there are not that many clinics that are licensed to do
it.
