Any owner who has had a pet diagnosed as being diabetic knows what a worrying time it can be. There is so much to think about, new skills to learn and the constant worry of whether you are doing things right. The good news is that your veterinary team are there to support you and your pet. One of the ways that many practices choose to do this is with dedicated diabetic clinics. These are standard for human patients in the NHS and more and more vet practices are opting to run them. They are most often led by experienced veterinary nurses and overseen by veterinary surgeons with an interest in the condition.

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What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a relatively common disease in both dogs and cats. It is caused by a problem with a hormone called insulin. Diabetic animals either don’t produce insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or the body can’t use it in the normal way (Type 2 diabetes). The lack of insulin results in glucose from the diet getting trapped in the bloodstream, causing high blood sugar levels. But this glucose then isn’t available for the organs of the body to actually use. Animals affected by diabetes generally become very thirsty and urinate more. They may lose weight, often despite an increased appetite, and suffer more frequent infections. Left untreated, more severe complications will often develop. 

Diabetic animals usually require treatment with insulin, which can only be given by injection

They require these injections twice daily. And, for practical reasons, this means that owners need to learn how to inject their pets themselves. The correct diet and regular exercise are also needed to help control blood sugar levels. Insulin is a very powerful medication and if too much is used it can cause blood sugar levels to drop dangerously low. Conversely if too little is given then blood sugar levels will continue to rise and other complications can occur. To add to the complexity, every animal will have a different dose requirement that can’t easily be predicted, meaning that in the early stages dose adjustments come down to a degree of trial and error.

What is a Diabetes Clinic for?

Diabetic clinics at your veterinary practice are there to support you as an owner in learning to manage their condition, and to monitor pets closely to optimise their treatment. By law, animals on any prescription medication, including insulin, must have regular check ups. This is even more important with a condition as complex and changeable as diabetes. 

What to expect in your pet’s Diabetes Clinic

Diabetic clinics all tend to be run in a similar way. Generally a vet or nurse will start by asking you some questions about how your pet has been since they were last seen, what their appetite is like and how much they are drinking. They will also want to know about things like how frequently they are passing urine and whether they are having any toileting accidents.

Your pet’s weight will be checked to see if they have lost or gained any, and they may have their body condition score (BCS) assessed to see whether they are under or overweight for their size.

Your pet will usually undergo a full clinical examination including checking for the development of cataracts and other complications of diabetes such as skin infections. These simple checks can provide lots of information but there are some additional tests that might be recommended, especially if your pet is not doing as well as hoped. These tests might include;

  • Spot glucose test
  • Fructosamine blood test
  • Routine bloods including a blood count and check of kidney and liver function
  • Tests on the pancreas
  • Urine dipstick
  • Urine culture
  • Blood pressure check
  • Blood glucose curve

The vet or nurse will also want to discuss how you are getting on with injecting your pet and any concerns that you might have. They will use this information to recommend adjustments to your pets treatment plan as necessary. 

The importance of continuity of care

An added bonus of dedicated diabetic clinics is that most practices will try and have the same people running them each time. This allows you to build up a relationship with the staff. They will get to know you both better, meaning you know who to go to for help and advice and helping them to pick up on any problems quicker in order to offer the best possible care to your precious pet. 

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