Disease Category

By Dr. Ryan Chuang Diabetes Mellitus is a significant endocrine disorder in cats, affecting approximately 0.2% to 1% of the feline population. Most cats suffer from Type II Diabetes, characterized by "insulin resistance," where the body's cells fail to respond properly to insulin, causing blood sugar levels to skyrocket. 1. What Causes Diabetes in Cats? Risk factors often point toward lifestyle and physical condition: Obesity (The Primary Risk): Overweight cats are 4 times mo

By Dr. Ryan Chuang Today we are highlighting the story of Nutty, a cat who visited us for a routine castration. While waiting, we noticed Nutty was breathing heavily with an open mouth due to stress. Upon examination, we diagnosed Nutty with severe Stenotic Nares (narrowed nostrils). Many owners of flat-faced breeds assume noisy breathing is just a "breed trait." In reality, this is a serious congenital defect that significantly impacts a cat's quality of life. 1. Symptoms an

Cat FIP case sharing

Does My Dog or Cat Have Dementia

By Dr. Ryan Chuang During the initial phase of a diabetes diagnosis, establishing a "Glucose Curve" is essential for determining the correct insulin dose. Historically, this meant hospitalizing your dog for frequent blood draws. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) allows us to gather these critical insights painlessly while your dog stays relaxed at home. 1. Why Choose CGM for Your Dog? Beyond "Snapshots": Traditional home testing often only captures a few points during the d

By Dr. Ryan Chuang Management is the cornerstone of stabilizing a diabetic dog. Because canine diabetes is highly sensitive to routine, consistent home care is essential to maintaining your dog's health and preventing life-threatening complications. 1. Primary Medical Care Insulin Consistency: Most dogs require twice-daily insulin injections, administered approximately 12 hours apart. Hypoglycemia Awareness: While we aim to lower high blood sugar, preventing low blood sugar (

By Dr. Ryan Chuang Unlike cats, most dogs suffer from Type I Diabetes, meaning their pancreas has lost the ability to produce insulin. This usually requires lifelong insulin therapy. Understanding why it happens and recognizing the early signs is crucial for every dog owner. 1. What Causes Diabetes in Dogs? The underlying causes in dogs differ from other species and include: Autoimmune Factors: In many cases, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-produ

Do Dogs and Cats Get High Blood Pressure?