The American Diabetes Association estimates that diabetes accounts for over 100,000 deaths, 54,000 amputations, and over 20,000 cases of blindness each year. Blindness is twenty-five times more common among diabetic patients when compared to those without diabetes. If these current trends should continue, then by the year 2010 diabetes will exceed both heart disease and cancer as the leading cause of death in America.

Diabetics tend to have a high level of blood glucose. Blood sugar level is regulated by insulin, which releases it to carbohydrate consumption. Insulin causes the cells of the body to absorb glucose from the blood. The glucose is then used as fuel for cellular functions.

Traditional diagnostic standards for diabetes have been plasma glucose levels greater than 140 milligrams on 2 occasions as well as plasma glucose greater than 200 milligrams following a 75 gram glucose load. Even more recently, the American Diabetes Association lowered the criteria for a diabetic diagnosis to plasma glucose levels equal to or greater than 126 milligrams. Plasma levels outside the normal limit will need further testing. This is done usually by repeating the plasma glucose check and initiating an oral glucose tolerance test if it is needed.

The many symptoms of diabetes include increased urination, increased thirst and hunger, sudden drastic weight loss, blurred vision, very slow healing of wounds, dry and itchy skin, constantly repeated infections, sudden fatigue and headaches. With respect to diabetes, these symptoms can also be caused by many other factors. It is highly encouraged that anyone with symptoms related to the ones mentioned above should be tested as soon as possible.

As a rule, pets travel very well but air travel can be a very stressful and traumatic experience for them. In order to minimize this stress, some guidelines should be followed.

The hazards of air travel are usually not in the actual flying, but rather during the down time when your pet is being loaded or unloaded from the airplane, or when it is waiting. Delays can result in extra time spent on the runways before take-off or after landing. At these times the cargo holds are not pressurized and the surrounding temperature can vary from very hot to very cold. In fact, because of this, some airlines will not permit pets to fly during certain times of the year. For this reason, it is best to contact your airline to make sure that no risk is involved and to confirm that they will accept your pet on the flight.

If your pet is small enough, some airlines will allow you to take your dog or cat on board, provided that the carrier fits under the seat in front of you. Check with your air carrier.

It is also a good idea to have your pet examined by your veterinarian prior to departure to ensure that it is in good health and able to endure the rigours of air travel. Tranquillizers and sedatives are not usually recommended for pets except on the advice of your veterinarian. This is because sedation can result in serious complications. For example, it can inhibit your pet’s ability to regulate its body temperature or cause breathing problems.

For the actual flight, make sure that your dog is secure in an approved carrier, purchased either from the airline, a pet store or an animal hospital. Introduce your pet to the crate several weeks before departure to get him or her accustomed to it. Ensure that all the screws on the crate are secured and tight. Carriers should be labelled “Live Animal” and “This End Up” in letters at least 3 cm high. Also tape some identification (name, address, destination) to the crate. Ensure that fresh water will be made available to your pet at some time during or after the flight.

It is best to travel in off-peak hours and on non-stop flights. Ideally, your pet should be last on and first off the plane. Remember to notify the flight attendants that you have a pet on board just in case there is a flight delay.