Pet Health Library
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Dexamethasone Otic is a steroid medication used in pets to treat topical inflammation of the ears, often with other medications such as antibiotics. It comes as a liquid solution that is prescribed for topical use within a pet’s ear canal. There are no veterinary brands of dexamethasone otic.
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Dexamethasone is used to test the level of cortisol hormone in the body. Injection of dexamethasone will cause a decreased level of cortisol in a normal pet; however, in a pet with Cushing's disease, there is minimal or no decrease in cortisol level. Other diseases can suppress cortisol production, so it is important to rule these out prior to dexamethasone testing. Knowing the type of Cushing's disease your pet has can guide treatment decisions and offers a more defined prognosis.
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Dexmedetomidine is a sedative/tranquilizer used primarily in cats and dogs as a pre-medication injection for anesthesia or for chemical restraint. It is also used orally in dogs for short-term anxiety management. The most common side effect is a low heart rate. Dexmedetomidine should not be used in patients with severe heart liver or kidney disease. It should be used cautiously in young, old, or weak animals. Consult your veterinary office immediately if you suspect a negative reaction or overdose.
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Dextromethorphan is given by mouth and is used off label to treat compulsive behaviors and occasionally used to treat cough. Side effects are uncommon but may include vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, sleepiness, drooling or anxiousness. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it.
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Dextromethorphan + Guaifenesin is given by mouth as a tablet and is used off label to reduce cough in dogs and cats or to treat compulsive behavior. Side effects are uncommon, but serious adverse reactions associated with this drug may occur without warning. Contact your veterinarian if you notice anything out of the ordinary.
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Testing for diabetes includes confirming hyperglycemia and glucosuria while looking for other conditions by taking a complete blood count (anemia, infection), biochemistry profile (hepatic disease, pancreatitis), and a urinalysis (urinary tract infection). Monitoring includes regular glucose curves and additional exams and testing based on the pet owner's monitoring of their cat's clinical signs at home. Urine glucose testing and fructosamine are sometimes used in diabetic monitoring and urine testing for infection may be recommended.
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Diabetes insipidus is rare in cats and is characterized by excessive drinking and the production of enormous volumes of extremely dilute urine. Despite drinking large volumes of water, the cat can become dehydrated from urinating so much. Increased drinking and urination are common signs of several other health conditions, so it is essential that several diagnostic tests be performed to diagnose diabetes insipidus. While the condition is rarely curable, it is usually successfully controlled.
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Diabetes Mellitus in Cats: Overview
La diabetes mellitus es una enfermedad del páncreas. El páncreas es un pequeño órgano localizado cerca del estómago que tiene dos tipos diferentes de poblaciones de células. Uno de los grupos de células produce los enzimas necesarios para la digestión. El otro grupo de células, las células beta, producen la hormona insulina. La insulina regula los niveles de glucosa en la sangre y controla la liberación de glucosa a los tejidos del organismo. Los signos clínicos vistos en la diabetes mellitus están relacionados con las elevadas concentraciones de azúcar en la sangre y la incapacidad del cuerpo de usar esta glucosa como fuente de energía.
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Diabetes is an inability of the body to regulate blood sugar caused by an abnormality of the pancreas. It is the second-most common endocrine disease in cats. It causes increased thirst, urination, appetite, and weight loss. Cats most commonly have type 2 diabetes, caused by decreased insulin production or insulin resistance, and it is often associated with obesity. Diabetes is diagnosed by measuring increased levels of glucose in the urine and blood. Diabetes treatment includes insulin injections and dietary changes. Changes in blood sugar must be monitored regularly.
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Diabetes mellitus results from an inadequate production of insulin from the pancreas. The primary treatment is replacement by insulin injections. The body's response to the injections needs to be regularly monitored using an at-home glucometer or continuous glucose monitoring system. Insulin must be stored and reconstituted carefully to ensure dosing is accurate. Giving subcutaneous injections of insulin can seem daunting at first, but by following the directions in this handout, it will quickly become second nature to both you and your pet.