Diabetes in dogs cause and symptoms

Diabetes in dogs: Cause and symptomsDiabetes in dogs is a metabolic disease whose symptoms usually begin in middle age. The disorder, also called diabetes, occurs – as in humans – in two variants, whose causes are different. An important role is played by the hormone insulin, which influences blood sugar levels.

Diabetes in dogs: Excessive water drinking is one of the symptoms – Image: Shutterstock / Solovyova Lyudmyla

Diabetes mellitus – the full name of the metabolic disorder – is divided into diabetes type 1 and type 2 in humans and in dogs. Diabetes is caused by an absolute or relative lack of insulin, the result is always an increase in blood glucose levels.

If the sugar in the blood is permanently elevated, organ damage can result from it. Therefore, it is important to know the causes of diabetes in dogs and to know which symptoms indicate it, in order to be able to start treatment as early as possible.

Dog with diabetes type 1: cause insulin deficiency

Your dog has type 1 diabetes mellitus, when his pancreas no longer produces enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is responsible for drawing sugar (glucose) from the blood and transporting it to the cells of the body. There the nutrient is converted into energy, which is essential for healthy body function. If too little insulin is produced, not enough sugar is removed from the blood – the blood sugar level rises and diabetes develops.

Incidence of type 1 diabetes in dogs

Unlike in humans, this form of diabetes is most common in dogs. The causes are presumed to be genetic, i.e. congenital predisposition. However, pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer can also cause your dog to develop diabetes mellitus and no longer produce enough insulin to maintain a healthy blood sugar level.

Diabetes type 2: What happens in the dog's body??

If your dog suffers from type 2 diabetes mellitus, his pancreas produces insulin, but the amount is not sufficient to supply all the body's cells with energy – or enough of the hormone is produced in principle, but it does not work properly. We are then talking about a relative insulin deficiency, since the substance is not absolutely, i.e. fundamentally lacking, but is not present in sufficient quantity in comparison to the requirement. Dogs very rarely suffer from this form of diabetes. Differ strongly from humans in this respect.

Type 2 diabetes in dogs: risk factors

The exact causes of diabetes in dogs have not yet been unequivocally researched, but in the case of type 2 it is amed that – as in humans – obesity plays a central role in its development. Furthermore, certain hormonal disorders such as Cushing's syndrome or hypothyroidism are among the risk factors for diabetes in dogs. At least you can avoid overweight in your four-legged friend. Preventing the risk of diabetes. Pay attention to a balanced, species-appropriate dog diet and sufficient exercise.

– Dog Health – Veterinarian

Dogs with diabetes: diagnosis and treatment

If dogs are constantly tired, drink a lot of water and lose weight, it is possible that they have diabetes.

Diabetes in bitches in heat

Another peculiarity of diabetes mellitus in dogs is that it mostly affects female dogs. The reason for this is the so-called diabetes in heat – it affects only females who regularly go through their cycle phases and have not been spayed. The reason for this is the hormone progesterone; it prepares the uterus so that the fertilized eggs can implant in it. In addition, the fertilized eggs are protected by progesterone during pregnancy. Unfortunately, the hormone prevents insulin from transporting sugar from the blood to the body's cells. The result: Your dog gets diabetes.

Not only pregnant female dogs produce progesterone, but also female dogs in heat. Strictly speaking, this means that the hormone is only produced after the bitch is in heat, during the metestrus phase of the cycle. Now the question arises why not all unneutered bitches get diabetes? This is because insulin production is cranked up at this stage to balance things out. Most of the time it works, but sometimes it does not. However, with luck, diabetes mellitus is only temporary, and in some cases becomes a chronic insulin deficiency. Therefore, you should consider having your dog spayed or neutered to prevent this from happening.

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Symptoms of diabetes in dogs

The earlier diabetes in dogs is detected and treated, the better. Therefore, you should be very alert to changes in your four-legged friend. These symptoms can indicate diabetes:

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Increased urge to urinate: Increased blood sugar levels cause sugar molecules to pass into the urine and draw water from the body. As a result, your dog with diabetes has to pee more often than usual. ● Severe thirst: As the body is deprived of water, your four-legged friend will try to compensate with increased fluid intake. ● Visual disturbances up to blindness: Elevated blood sugar levels damage the retinal blood vessels in the dog's eyes. ● Weight loss despite increased eating or due to lack of appetite. ● Also a Weight gain is possible. With diabetes, your dog's metabolism is disturbed. ● Listlessness and listlessness: Diabetes in dogs prevents the body from being supplied with sufficient energy. ● Listlessness, apathy up to and including Depression. ● Pain In the abdomen ● Vomiting

Some animals experience weakness of the hind legs and poor wound healing, which can be attributed to elevated blood glucose levels. Get your dog checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible if diabetes is suspected. If blood sugar rises too high, it can lead to shock, which in the worst case can cause the dog to go into a coma.

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