Pet Meds' Pharmacists Offer Answers to Your Pet's Diabetes Questions for National Diabetes Awareness Month

Pharmacy staff at PetMeds.com offers free advice on canine and feline diabetes medication and supplies.

Pompano Beach, FL (PRWEB / PRWEB) November 21, 2008 -- In observance of November being National Diabetes Awareness Month, Pet Meds , America's Largest Pet Pharmacy, is offering free advice on pet diabetes and products related to the management of canine and feline diabetes.

Pet owners can visit PetHealth101's Diabetes page to review previously answered questions or submit their own to be answered by the Pet Meds' pharmacy staff and Dr. Michael Dym, VMD. Visitors can also search for questions by utilizing the search box located below the Related Questions and Answers box. In addition, Pet Meds' pharmacy staff offers free advice over the phone by calling 1-888-738-6331.

The pharmacy staff at Pet Meds can help educate pet owners on properly administering diabetes medication, as well as provide insight on diet and exercises needed to keep pets healthy. One common question that is often asked of the pharmacy staff is, "Can I use a U-100 syringe with my U-40 insulin. My answer is that while there are conversion charts available on the internet, doing so can be potentially dangerous to the pet because of underdosing or overdosing. Even the manufacturer recommends using U-40 syringes with U-40 insulin," states Pet Meds' Directory of Pharmacy Services, Gary Koesten.

Studies show diabetes diagnosis continuing to grow in both dogs and cats with approximately 1 in 500 dogs and 1 in 200 cats being diagnosed. As with humans, blood sugar levels must be monitored and similar medication and equipment is used to manage diabetes in pets.

Common symptoms of canine and feline diabetes include drinking more water than usual, frequent urination, and weight loss. Although certain breeds of both cats and dogs are predisposed to diabetes, it's more common among older and overweight pets. Research shows that spayed dogs are more susceptible to diabetes. However in cats, factors such as age or gender do not provide a direct correlation to the disease, making diagnosis more unpredictable.

The most common form of canine diabetes is Type 1, with Type 2 being the most common form of feline diabetes. Similar to human diabetes, diabetes in pets may become a life threatening disease if it is left untreated.

"Among many other things, untreated canine diabetes can cause rapid cataract formation which is usually detected by a cloudy film covering the eye," continues Koesten. "In cats, untreated diabetes can lead to diabetic neuropathy which is evidenced by the cat walking on its hock, or the second joint above its hind paw."

Pet Meds offers medication and supplies to manage pet diabetes, including iPet's Glucose Monitoring Kit, Glipizide (for cats), Vetsulin Insulin, and U-40 Insulin Syringes for Vetsulin and PZI Pet. The Pet Meds' pharmacy staff is also available year-round to help answer any pet health related questions that pet owners may have.

In addition to monitoring sugar levels, vitamin supplements containing chromium are extremely helpful in balancing sugar levels in both diabetic dogs and cats. It's also important to ensure that diabetic pets are fed a lean and nutritious diet. A sugar-free diet containing high levels of protein and low amounts of carbohydrates is considered to be an ideal diet for pets with diabetes, as it can help to lower blood sugar levels by up to 20%.

To obtain more information about canine and feline diabetes, as well as more information concerning your pet's overall healthy lifestyle, visit Pet Meds' pet health resource website at PetHealth101.com .

About Pet Meds:
Founded in 1996, Petmeds.com is America's largest pet med pharmacy, delivering prescription and non-prescription products such as Super Joint Enhancer and Super Joint Omega 3 for dogs, cats, and horses at competitive prices direct to the consumer through its 1-800-PetMeds toll free number and on the Internet through its website at Petmeds.com .

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