Early diagnosis and long-term successful management of diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats, as well as raising awareness of the disease among owners, are the continued goals of an upcoming annual screening program.
Formed by Merck Animal Health, Purina, and Zoetis in 2014, the Diabetes PetCare Alliance program continues on in its ninth year in inviting clinics to jumpstart diabetes diagnoses and patient care with early screening. Through this program, veterinarians receive access to free downloadable diabetes education materials and free starter diabetes managements kits to offer clients with newly diagnosed diabetic pets.
While diabetes mellitus is a diagnosis no pet owner wants for their pet, the earlier dogs and cats can be diagnosed with diabetes, the greater the odds they can live long, healthy lives.
In acknowledgement of November as Pet Diabetes Month, clients whose pets are diagnosed with diabetes between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023, are eligible to receive the free kits, which include:
• One AlphaTRAK®3 Blood Glucose Monitoring System from Zoetis
• One 6-pound bag of Purina® Pro Plan® Veterinary Diets DM Dietetic Management® Feline Formula for cats or Purina® Pro Plan® Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Fiber Balance® Dry Formula for dogs
• One 10 mL vial of Vetsulin (porcine insulin zinc suspension) from Merck Animal Health
Clinics can enroll in the Diabetes PetCare Alliance program from Sept. 4 to Oct. 31, 2023 here.