Check for pet diabetes (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Check for pet diabetes

10:30am Sunday 7th August 2005

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ANYONE who thinks that diabetes is an illness limited to humans should think again animals live with it too.

Diabetes is a growing problem among the pet population of the UK, with as many as one in 200 of the country's dogs and cats suffering from the disease.

As in their human counterparts, it is associated with old age and being overweight.

Chingford Veterinary Centre is running free checks for cats and dogs. Animals will be weighed and checked by the nurse and owners will be given a free diabetes screening test to use on their pets.

Caryn Gibbins, a vet at the surgery, said: "Animals whose diabetes goes untreated will usually develop cataracts or blindness and may be prone to infections, high blood pressure and strokes. They may start to have seizures, go into a coma and die."

Once diagnosed, most pets can have their diabetes successfully managed with dietary changes and medication.

For more information or to book an appointment call 8524 6326.

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