Diabetes Management Resources at Your Fingertips

To coincide with Pet Diabetes Awareness Month, Henry Schein Animal Health announced that it has added a plethora of new assets to its web-based Pet Diabetes Resource Center. Created for both veterinary professionals and pet owners, the center’s shareable assets were designed to raise awareness, enhance understanding, and improve disease management.

An increasing number of companion animals are diagnosed with diabetes mellitus each year. The disease is now estimated to affect 1 in 230 cats and 1 in 300 dogs. Since 2006, canine diabetes has increased by almost 80% and feline diabetes by 18%. Although no test can predict whether a pet will develop diabetes, certain factors are commonly associated.

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“Education and knowledge are the most effective weapons against pet diabetes, and Henry Schein is committed to helping the veterinary community prevent, or recognize and manage, pet diabetes,” said Fran Dirksmeier, president of Henry Schein Animal Health, North America.

Because pet parents are often the first to notice that something is amiss with their dog or cat, it is important that they understand the disease’s risk factors and warning signs, such as excessive thirst, coat deterioration, and frequent urination. This is where tools from the resource center, such as a diabetes checklist, come into play. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, clients can download guides to managing feline and canine diabetes as well as an insulin treatment monitoring sheet.

For the veterinary team, the resource center hosts tools that aid in diagnosing diabetes early and managing the disease properly—both of which are essential to prevent more serious secondary medical issues, such as heart and kidney problems, severe cataracts in dogs, and hind-leg weakness in cats. A variety of articles, videos, infographics, disease management guidelines, and webinars are offered.

Want to learn more about diabetes management right now?

American Veterinarian’s Pet Connections video series includes candid discussions with 2 veterinarians, a technician, and a pet owner about the diabetes journey, plus instructional videos on insulin use and at-home glucose monitoring.