Diabetes in Pets

Diabetes is a very common problem in pets – specifically dogs and cats. Two major causes are obesity, and as a side effect of steroid use, specifically in cats. Depo Medro, also known as methylprednisilone, is a long acting steroid often used for skin conditions in cats. Sometimes it is warranted but other times it is being used without working up the skin problem completely.

For example, let's say the cat has ringworm infection. This infection can look a lot like allergies with scabs, hairlessness and itchiness. If appropriate tests are done, the vet would treat the etiology, ringworm, with an antifungal and cure the cat. However, if not worked up completely, the cat might receive a steroid injection, get diabetes and make the ringworm infection worse due to immunosuppression.

The point here is being an educated consumer. Make sure your vet works the case up to determine the etiology of the disease and then treats specifically and appropriately. “Shotgun” medicine – let's try this and if that doesn’t work, lets try that - is a recipe for disaster. Not only will you spend more money in the long run, you may lose your cat to diabetes caused by a drug that never should have been used in the first place! Go to ProtectthePets.com and learn how to Protect your Pet!