Students educating Diabetes Walk participants
Most people know what diabetes is and the impact it has on not only the individual, but also on families and communities. What most people don’t know is that this disease can affect the animal members of the family too.
Students from Broadview’s vet tech program used the Step Out: Walk/Run to Stop Diabetes event held at Liberty Park to educate the public on both prevention and treatment of this life-altering disease.
The Broadview crew with Utah Grizzlies mascot, Grizzbee.
Most people were surprised to learn that the furry members of the family are at risk. “People were even more surprised that we treat it similarly to human diabetes.” Resident Veterinarian, Hope Teyler said of the event.
The students were charged with creating educational handouts and presentations to provide the community with information on how the disease can not only be treated, but prevented.
“The students did wonderful! They were very proactive about grabbing people that were walking by and educating them on diabetes in their animals,” added Teyler.
Some of the information tidbits the students shared with the public were:
- A cat’s meal should be the same size as a mouse.
- Female dogs and neutered male dogs are at a greater risk of developing diabetes.
- Animals with diabetes should be fed dry food.
- 70 percent of cats with diabetes will go into remission with proper diet and treatment.
- A study by a major pet food company found that overweight dogs had a lifespan two years shorter than their litter mates.
- 50 percent of the pet population is overweight.
- Typically, household pets require 30 minutes of daily exercise.
For those worried about other pet family members, dogs and cats are primarily the only household animals affected by diabetes.
If you are concerned about your family pet, schedule an appointmet with your Veterinarian.
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