By Mary Nee

November is National Pet Diabetes Month so this is the perfect opportunity to address this disease that not only affects humans but also our pets.

Over the past few years, as I have walked through the three Animal Care and Adoption centers of the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL), I have noticed an uptick in the number of animals diagnosed with diabetes. But I am inspired by the following wonderful story.

Oliver, an 11-year-old cat, was surrendered to ARL back in March. During his initial medical examination, he was diagnosed with diabetes and placed in the loving home of one of our foster families. There he received plenty of exercise, followed a regimented diet, and received daily insulin as he successfully adjusted to a new routine. In September, Oliver’s blood work showed that he was actually in remission and no longer needed to take daily insulin. He was adopted shortly after that to his forever home!

According to a 2016 Banfield Pet Hospital study that included data from 43 states and 3 million cats and dogs, researchers saw an 80 percent increase in diabetes in dogs and an 18 percent increase in cats between 2006 and 2015. Despite these numbers, the risk for diabetes depends on a number of factors, including age, diet, lack of exercise, and obesity. Diabetes in dogs and cats can occur at any age; the majority of dogs are diagnosed between the ages of 7-10, and for cats, older than six.

As with any disease, early diagnosis and treatment is critical. If your pet exhibits any of the following symptoms, take your animal to your veterinarian for an exam:

Excessive water drinking and increased urination; weight loss, despite an increased appetite; decreased appetite; chronic infection, particularly skin and urinary; cloudy eyes, particularly in dogs; lethargy.

Remember, even if your beloved pet is diagnosed with diabetes, it can be treated and controlled.

Treatment differs from animal to animal, but it typically involves a strict diet, increased exercise, and monitoring your pet’s appetite, weight, drinking, and urination. Depending on the severity of the disease, your pet may need daily insulin injections as well.

With proper management, your pet can live a long and healthy life, and we have even seen examples of animals who actually go into remission – like Oliver.

Mary Nee, a Dorchester resident, is the President of the Animal Rescue League of Boston. Pet questions? Email ARL at press@arlboston.org.