Cairns Veterinary Clinic offers 24 hour, 365 days a year after hours emergency consultations.
Phone us on any of our phone numbers and you will be transferred to the veterinarian on call. The minimum after hours callout fee is over $161.30. Additional surcharges may apply after 10pm or before 7am. In many cases, the animal will need to be hospitalised for ongoing treatment. While we can do house calls, these are rarely the best approach for emergencies.
Pets, just like humans, can suffer diabetes and unfortunately the incidence of the disease is on the rise in Australia. Diabetes is seen in animals of all ages, sexes and breeds, however it is typically seen in older pets. As in humans, obesity is a common risk factor for diabetes, so it’s important that pet owners ensure their pets maintain a healthy weight.
Glucose provides the cells of the body with the energy they need to function and survive. The cells can only absorb glucose from the blood in the presence of insulin, which is an essential hormone produced by the pancreas. Diabetes is caused when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the cells in the body fail to respond to the insulin correctly. This means that the cells in the body cannot absorb enough glucose and too much glucose remains in the blood.
The common signs of diabetes are typically weight loss despite a good appetite and excessive thirst and urination. Some pets may appear lethargic, have cloudy eyes and have a poor coat condition.
Combined with a physical examination, our veterinarians will perform blood and urine tests. A persistently high level of glucose in the blood is the most reliable indicator that a pet is diabetic.
Diabetes can be effectively controlled by insulin therapy. Each pet’s requirement for insulin is different and it can take several months to achieve stabilisation. Initially, repeat blood tests are required to monitor your pet’s blood glucose and once the correct insulin dose is achieved, you should see rapid improvement in your pet’s condition. Diet also plays a vital role in keeping your pet’s diabetes under control and our veterinarians will recommend a diet that is best suited to your pet’s needs. All diabetic pets require ongoing frequent glucose monitoring to ensure that they are receiving the correct dose of insulin.
At Cairns Vet Clinic, we believe that prevention is better than cure, so if you think your pet is overweight, come in today for a free weight assessment. Fully supported by our Veterinary Nurses, our complementary weight loss club is an individualised program for safe and gradual weight loss for your pet. In combination with exercise, behaviour modification and Hills Metabolic prescription diet we’ll have your pet back to a healthy weight in no time.
For further information about diabetes or to book an appointment please contact us.