Diabetes In Dogs. How To Detect And Treat This Infection
Can dogs get diabetes? Yes, and it increases at an alarming rate, as it does in humans. Between 2009 and 2009, the incidence of canine diabetes increased by a whopping 66%, according to a comprehensive nationwide report from Banfield Pet Hospital.
Diabetes in dogs is a chronic, progressive disease that can lead to significant health complications if left untreated. Early detection and treatment of the disease are key. However, with continued treatment, a nutritious diet and regular exercise, diabetic dogs can live happy and long lives.
Article Overview
Types of canine diabetes
There are two different types of diabetes in dogs: Diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus (DI). DI is an exceptionally rare disease characterized by excessive thirst and urination, associated with enormous amounts of dilute urine; it is unrelated to diabetes mellitus (the insulin-related disease with which most of us are familiar). In this article, we focused on the symptoms. The treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Diabetes mellitus may be referred to as sugar diabetes or diabetes. How people can dogs. Cats) get type I or type II diabetes. Type I diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce insulin or produces too little insulin. Insulin is responsible for regulating glucose (glucose) in the bloodstream.
Overweight dogs are at greater risk for the development of type II diabetes (when the pancreas produces insulin but the bodys cells do not respond to the insulin). If some people with type II diabetes can treat the disease with oral medications, dogs do not respond well to oral medications. Dogs need regular insulin shots to stabilize their blood sugar, whether they have type I or type II diabetes.
Risk factors
Common risk factors associated with increasing diabetes in dogs include:
– Obesity (discussed above) – Unspayed female dogs – Certain steroid treatments (glucocorticoids)
Diabetes also seems to affect some breeds more quickly, including:
– Australian terriers – Bichon Frise – Cairn terriers – Dachshunds – Fox terriers – Keeshonds – Pugs – Samoyeds – Schnauzers
Symptoms
Diabetes typically occurs in dogs between seven and eight years of age. It can take a year or more for a dog with diabetes to show some symptoms, and early warning signs are easy to miss. Some of the early warning signs For diabetes in dogs include:
– Increased thirst and urination – Increased appetite – Weight loss despite general food intake
Among the signals from advanced diabetes include:
– Weakness or fatigue – Thinning, dry or dull hair (especially along the back) – Cloudy eyes (cataracts) – Depression
If left untreated, diabetes can cause serious damage to your dog's body. Here are some of the most important health consequences, If diabetes is not controlled.
– Blindness due to complex cataracts – Kidney collapse – Enlarged liver – Ketoacidosis*
*Ketoacidosis is a life-threatening acute condition triggered by stress, fasting, infections, surgery and low insulin levels. Symptoms include rapid breathing, lethargy, nausea, dehydration and sweet-smelling breath. If your dog has diabetes, always have ketone test strips on hand and test your dog if he shows any of these symptoms. If his urine tests positive for ketones, you should call an emergency veterinarian immediately.
Diagnosing Diabetes in Dogs
If you notice signs that your dog has diabetes, it's time to visit the vet. Your veterinarian will ask about any symptoms you've seen and assess your dog's overall well-being to rule out other potential conditions or diseases.
The very first examination, the Your veterinarian performs Urinalysis, which is a general urine test that can detect glucose and ketones in your dog's urine. Ketones are chemicals produced by the liver when the whole body does not have enough insulin to convert glucose to energy in.
When the urinalysis tests positive for ketones and also for high glucose levels, the next step is to, Your dog's blood glucose levels To measure. When blood glucose levels are high in both urine and blood, the veterinarian makes a definitive diagnosis of diabetes.
The Way To Treat Diabetes In Dogs
Treating canine diabetes requires a lot of daily management on the part of pet parents, but once you get into a pedigree, it's not as daunting as it first seems. The three main areas you need to focus on include:
Insulin injections
Most diabetic dogs need insulin injections after each meal or at least once a day. Your veterinarian will determine the frequency of injections, as well as the specific amount and type of insulin. It may take a few months to find the ideal treatment plan for each dog. As a result, you may need to check your dog's blood glucose levels daily with test strips. Work closely with your veterinarian to make sure your dog's diabetes management keeps the disease well under control.
Initially, many owners are afraid of having to give their puppies shots at home. However, it is not as bad as it sounds and is not painful for your dog. Your veterinarian will explain how to prepare the shots and where and how to do it they are administered only under the skin of your dog.
Many dogs tolerate the injections well if they are administered about 2.5 to 2.5 inches down the middle of the trunk or near the shoulder blade or hip bone. Be sure to replace the site each time you give an injection to avoid pain. Depending on your dog's temperament, you may need to find someone to gently hold your dog while you administer his injection.
This short video from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) walks you through the steps to administering insulin shots for your dog.
Routine Exercises
Diabetic dogs need to exercise moderately on a consistent basis. In addition to maintaining a healthy weight, this can help prevent sudden spikes or drops in glucose levels.
Change of diet
Finally, a diet with parasitic dogs is crucial for the treatment of the disease. Your veterinarian will recommend the best diet for the diabetic dog. Usually this consists of Low-fat, high-quality fiber, protein, and complex carbohydrates, slowing down the absorption of sugar.
You may even need to consider changing the diet of your Switching your dog to natural dog food. Our testimonials on the best dog food providers include several tech companies that make freshly prepared foods that you can customize to meet your own dogs' unique health needs.
And don't forget that some high quality treats for diabetic dogs need . Many routine dog treats contain extremely high levels of sugar. Finding treats for diabetic dogs at your local pet store can be a challenge. We recommend these organic cookies for diabetic dogs that contain ingredients to help lower blood sugar.
How Much Does Diabetic Dog Care Cost??
While keeping your dog healthy is of extreme importance, you may be wondering how insulin and other prices will affect your wallet. Insulin for dogs can guide you per month or longer, and you will also go to the vet more frequently.
Consider purchasing pet insurance while your dog is still young and healthy to cover unexpected illnesses and accidents. While pet insurance can cover the ongoing costs of these chronic conditions like diabetes, you need to be covered before your dog is diagnosed (otherwise it's considered a pre-existing condition). But if you already have pet insurance at the time of diagnosis, it can help you cover your dog's daily insulin and expensive veterinary costs.