November is National Pet Diabetes Awareness Month- from Pet Cancer Awareness
November is Pet Diabetes Awareness month: It was designated to help create more awareness of this disease that can significantly impact the health of companion animals.
If you didn’t know your dog or cat could develop diabetes, you’re not alone. Many owners don’t realize diabetes can affect pets too, so learning that your dog or cat has the condition can leave you with many questions.
Diabetes is a relatively common disease in which the body doesn’t use glucose properly. If left untreated, diabetes is life-threatening. It is manageable and if detected early enough, pets with diabetes can live a normal life when treated and medicated properly. In some cases with cats, diabetes can actually be reversed.
Signs and symptoms of diabetes that owners should be aware of include the following:
• Increase in water consumption
• Increase in urination
• Increase in appetite
• Weight loss
• Cataracts may be present if diabetes has been existent for a longer period of time
Your veterinarian is an essential partner in your pet’s diabetes care. Only your veterinarian can diagnose diabetes and provide appropriate preventive and management programs.
Treatment
Even if your animal develops diabetes, if you work with your veterinarian and follow his or her recommendations closely, your animal can have a good quality of life. Diet will be the first thing your veterinarian will consider, especially if your pet is a cat. Besides diet, there have been improvements in the types of insulin and the types of monitoring tests available to your veterinarian.
Prevention
Although obesity is clearly linked to the development of diabetes, not every pet who develops diabetes is fat and not every obese pet will develop diabetes. Nonetheless, diabetes is almost always a preventable disease if your pet maintains a normal weight.
Featured dog: Vince
Catahoula leopard dog. Very friendly and loves people. Learning to play with toys, his basic commands and walking on a leash. Likes to be by your side
Other available dogs
Peanut- Senior border collie/beagle blend. He will do best in a quiet home with no children or other animals. Loves going for walks.
Koda- He needs someone who will help him with his weight loss program. He needs to get plenty of exercise and a monitored diet. He loves going for walks and is very strong.
Marie- boxer blend puppy. Likes to play fetch and be with people.
Fera- pit blend. Very quiet, calm dog. He is used to living in a home.
Featured cat: Indy
Indy came to the shelter after being found 4 tiny babies of her own. she has been a wonderful mom to her babies and it is time that she gets the love and attention she deserves. Indy is a mellow and laid back girl who wants nothing more than a comfy couch to lay on and a big window to gaze out of. She enjoys hanging out with her people and snuggling on the sofa in her free time!
Other available cats
Lover- Seal Point senior Siamese. No other cats please. He loves being the center of attention
Kiki Dee-Medium-long hair senior mix. No other cats please.
Crystal- silver gray tabby. Came with 8 nursing babies. It is time for her to find a loving home.
Kittens
Sterling
Sterling- Male 3 month gray and white
Fred
Fred- Male 3 month black hand raised
Barney
Barney- Male 3 month black hand raised
Betty
Betty- Female 3 month black hand raised
Gina- Female 2-3 month gray tabby with white
Bella- Female 2-3 month black & white
The City of Mesquite Animal Shelter located at 795 Hardy Way is open for adoptions from 8:00 am until 4 pm Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), Saturday 11am-1pm , Sunday 1pm -3pm. Please call – Animal Control may be reached by phone or voicemail at 702-346-5268
All animals will be spayed or neutered prior to leaving shelter and receive 1 year rabies vaccination and city license. Ages are approximate.
The animals submitted to the media may have changed so please visit our Petfinder website for a current listing and more detailed information on the animals. www.mesquiteanimalshelter.petfinder.com
Please also check our Facebook pages for lost and found animals along with pet information. https://www.facebook.com/MesquiteNVAnimalControl and https://www.facebook.com/FRIENDSOFMESQUITENVANIMALSHELTER
