Insulin Resistance in Pets

Many of us are familiar with insulin resistance, especially with how common it is amongst human populations. It is mainly associated with Type II diabetes, a disease in which the body does not respond to insulin properly. This results in fewer cells being able to utilize the glucose in the body, which is needed for various important biological processes. In addition, since the glucose isn't being used by the cells, it is being left behind to accumulate in the blood. Insulin resistance is very similar in pets and often occurs secondary to other health issues, including hypothyroidism and bacterial infections. Today, we will dig deeper into the causes, symptoms, and treatments for insulin resistance in pets.

What is insulin resistance?

Before we get into the causes of insulin resistance, it is important to understand what exactly is going on in your pet's body that is contributing to this medical issue. It all starts with the endocrine system, specifically the pancreas. The pancreas is in charge of producing hormones that help with digestion, including insulin. When your pet eats food, glucose enters their body, and the pancreas detects the rise in blood sugar. In response, the pancreas secretes insulin, which helps cells in the body utilize glucose for energy, as well as store glucose appropriately for later use. Unfortunately, insulin resistance occurs when your pet's cells do not respond well to insulin. When this occurs, the insulin is unable to easily move the glucose in and out of cells to be used for energy, which can cause the cells to become damaged and inefficient. This also causes the glucose to build up in the blood, which can harm blood vessels and nerves and lead to dangerous complications.

Causes

1) Genetics - some breeds, such as Burmese cats and beagles, are genetically predisposed to have higher risks of getting insulin resistance. While these genetic factors are largely unknown, mutations in certain genes can contribute to heightened insulin sensitivity in cells. If you know your pet is genetically predisposed to having insulin resistance, there are certainly treatment and prevention options available to help maintain their condition!

2) Chronic Inflammation - inflammatory conditions such as bacterial infections, autoimmune disorders, and other chronic illnesses that cause your pet's cells and tissues to be attacked can lead to insulin resistance. When inflammation occurs, cytokines are released in the body. When in excess, cytokines disrupt the insulin signal transduction pathway, which is essential for the synthesis of glucose.

3) Hormonal Imbalances - hormonal disorders such as Cushing's Disease, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and hypothyroidism often lead to insulin resistance. Hormones have complex relationships with glucose and insulin, and are essential in regulating blood sugar levels. When hormone levels are higher or lower than they should be, they can disrupt the body's natural means of metabolizing glucose. For example, PCOS leads to increases in estrogen levels, which directly interfere with insulin signaling. In addition, Cushing's Disease increases cortisol levels in the adrenal glands, which disrupts glucose intake via cells.

4) Poor Diet & Exercise Habits - a long-term diet that is high in processed carbohydrates and simple sugars can raise blood glucose levels, putting lots of pressure on the pancreas to continue secreting insulin in order to metabolize that sugar. Over time, your pet's insulin sensitivity will decrease, which can lead to insulin resistance. In addition, a lack of exercise and movement diminishes the ability of your pet’s cells to take in glucose and use it for energy.

5) Medications - certain medications can cause insulin resistance as a side effect. If you believe this to be the case for your pet, you should consult your veterinarian and come up with a solution that works best in addressing your pet's health concerns.

Symptoms

1) Weight - pets with insulin resistance struggle to lose weight, even with proper diet and exercise habits. This is because insulin resistance leads to significantly lower metabolism rates since the cells in the body are not able to use glucose for energy efficiently. In addition, elevated insulin levels promote fat storage and inhibit the breakdown of stored fats, particularly around the abdominal area.

2) Increased Thirst & Urination - pets with insulin resistance are likely to feel dehydrated and have an increased need to urinate. This is due to the body's natural reaction to increased blood sugar. In order to reach homeostasis, the body tries to secrete excess glucose out of your pet's system through increased urine output.

3) Fatigue - if your pet has insulin resistance, they are likely to have lower energy levels and may feel lethargic often. This is because the cells in their body are not able to properly process glucose for energy, which slows down all of their body processes.

4) Increased appetite - insulin resistance can cause pets to feel hungry more often. This is because their bodies are not able to fully process the food they eat for energy, leaving them unsatiated and wanting more.

5) Impaired Wound Healing - high blood sugar levels tend to impair wound healing, particularly because excess blood sugar damages blood vessels and tissues. If your pet has insulin resistance, they will likely take longer than average to heal from cuts, bruises, scars, and surgical procedures.

Prevention & Treatment

1) Explore Underlying Health Issues - insulin resistance can occur secondary to chronic inflammation caused by bacterial infections, autoimmune disorders, and other chronic illnesses. If you suspect that your pet might be affected by one of these conditions, you should talk to your veterinarian about possible treatment plans. Getting to the root cause and treating your pet's chronic inflammation as early as possible will help substantially with their insulin resistance.

2) Diet & Exercise Management - consult with your veterinarian to figure out what type of diet is best for your pet and how much food your pet should be eating on a daily basis. Generally, you want to make sure your pet is eating high-quality foods that are low in simple carbohydrates and contain good combinations of fiber, healthy fats, and protein. In addition, engage in exercise activities such as walks and playtime with your pet in order to help them maintain an optimal weight and strengthen their insulin sensitivity. Again, it is important to work closely with your veterinarian since your pet's specific dietary and exercise needs will depend on their breed, age, and health status.

3) Medication - if your pet's condition does not get better naturally, they may need to be put on medication or other treatments in order to help manage their blood sugar levels. In addition, insulin therapy can help increase metabolism in pets with insulin resistance. Consult with your veterinarian to see if medication or insulin therapy is a good option for your pet.

4) Routine Check-Ups - even if your pet seems healthy, it is important to get them checked up regularly. Early detection of insulin resistance can make your pet's condition much easier to manage and treat!