#FortheLoveofPets – How to spot early signs of illness in pets?

Your pet has just been diagnosed with kidney or liver disease or diabetes. You ask yourself, “how could I have prevented this?” The answer is to:

Recognise the signs

In the last several years, knowledge of these diseases has increased, and great advances have been made. Your veterinarian can do a complete examination and related tests to determine the cause of the symptoms, and a better-than-ever course of treatments can be prescribed.

Kidney disease is one of the most common problems of older dogs and cats and the leading cause of death. Unfortunately, the signs go undetected until a large part of the kidney function has been lost. Any changes in your pets’ habits, such as loss of appetite, increased thirst, frequent or no urination, depression, vomiting and/or weight loss, are warning signs and cause for concern. Consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.

The largest gland in the body is the liver, which serves many complex functions. It is subject to damage by a variety of diseases. The more common signs of liver disease in mature cats and dogs include lack of appetite, weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of gums or whites of the eyes), increased thirst and dark-coloured urine. The pet’s abdomen and liver may become enlarged due to fluid buildup. Don’t mistake this for weight gain.

Treatment of the liver will differ depending on the cause of the initial damage. Fortunately, the liver has great reserve capacity and the ability to regenerate. Therefore, if the cause of the problem is eliminated and proper dietary therapy instituted, chances are good for recovery.

Diabetes results when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to meet the body’s requirements. An animal with diabetes will exhibit some or all of the following symptoms: weakness, increased hunger and thirst, frequent urination, rapid weight loss, and abdominal pain. Cataract formation may also indicate diabetes. In dogs, females are affected twice as often as males, but in cats, diabetes is more prevalent in males.

There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be controlled with insulin injections, diet and exercise. With such therapy, your pet can lead a happy, comfortable life. Once control is achieved, evaluation should be done every two to four months.

Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet:

– exhibits any lack of appetite, unsteadiness or depression

– deviates from normal behaviour or from normal glucose pattern

– develops cataracts

– has seizures

– lapses into a coma

Source: The Ark Animal Welfare Society Barbados