Punch & his Diabetes

This year Punch came to our clinic because he was no longer his bright bubbly self. His owner had noticed that he was drinking and urinating more than usual, eating lots, losing weight and not wanting to go for his regular walks. After a couple of blood and urine tests at the clinic, he was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes is a disease where there is either a lack of insulin production or the insulin that is usually made by the body is not working properly. This causes weight loss, low energy levels and an increase in drinking and urination.

To help treat Punch’s diabetes, he was started on insulin therapy. Over the next 4-5 months he was monitored closely by the vets at the Waimate Veterinary Centre. During the duration of his treatment, he also developed cataracts and pancreatitis (both being complicating factors of diabetes). We were fortunate enough to be able to refer Punch to an eye clinic in Christchurch for cataract surgery and managed his pancreatitis with a low-fat diet. Since then, Punch no longer displays any signs of diabetes or pancreatitis. Punch will be continually monitored for the rest of his life, and he will be enjoying a sugar free Christmas with heave restrictions on ham.