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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Nothing funny about fat pets


Fat pets may be funny in cartoons, but in real life, obesity is a danger to their health.
 (File/NBC / The Spokesman-Review)
The Spokesman-Review

Data from the newly released National Health Interview Survey show that more than 50 percent of U.S. adults are overweight and one out of five adults are obese. “Like father, like son” is now “like family, like pets” when it comes to overstuffed bellies. Just as we have king-sized, our fast-food orders, our family pets have become super-sized. And while pudgy pooches and fat cats may be funny in cartoons, in real life, obesity causes the same problems it does in humans: joint problems, heart problems, an increased risk of cancer and, especially, diabetes.

In the past, the ability to home-monitor blood glucose and change insulin dosages to metabolize dietary glucose for diabetic dogs and cats was difficult or inaccurate. But not anymore thanks to the new AlphaTRAK, the first hand-held blood glucose monitoring system designed specifically for diabetic dogs and cats (www.abbott.com). The product retails for $80 and the test strips are $1 each.

This device allows veterinarians and pet owners to test blood sugar rapidly (15 seconds), conveniently (just mini-lance the pet’s ear) and accurately (equivalent to outside reference laboratories). This meter is more accurate than those designed for humans because in pets, more blood sugar tends to hide inside red blood cells.

As with humans, it’s important for pets that we be as accurate as possible to avoid hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and other dangerous blood glucose complications,” said Susan Salle a veterinarian at Grayslake Animal Hospital in Grayslake, Ill.

Some people once thought owners willing to go through the upheavals of testing and injecting their diabetic pets were, well, a little weird. Not any more! Not only are such highly dedicated pet parents much more common, their actions are now considered normal – what you would do for any other member of the family. Rolan Tripp a veterinarian with AnimalBehavior.Net reminds us, “Give a small tasty treat just before, and just after the minilance, and most pets will look forward to the testing.”

“About 89 percent of the American households consider their pet as a family member, and want to extend the duration and quality of the pet’s life,” said veterinarian Tom Catanzaro. “Routine wellness surveillance by the family’s veterinarian should be cost-effective, simple and accurate,” Catanzaro said. “This handheld device starts to answer that need.”

The National Pet Wellness Month campaign (www.npwm.com) of the American Veterinary Medical Association shares the importance of twice-a-year wellness exams and regular life cycle screening for life-shortening conditions, such as diabetes.

“Routine blood-sugar testing for diabetic pets should be cost effective, simple and accurate. The profession needs a series of simple testing devices, and the AlphaTRAK blood glucose monitor starts to answer that need, joining other user-friendly devices like blood pressure and lead II electrocardiogram monitors,” Catanzaro said.

In 2006, “high tech” is joining “high touch” in the quality veterinary practice working to maintain better health and a longer life for the family pet.