Diabetes in dogs – recognizing and treating diabetes in your dog by Thomas, Thomas has contributed the technical know-wau ah know-how to dogbible and is not only enthusiastic about Japan, but also calls the Shiba his favorite dog, which will hopefully soon be allowed to take up residence in his Rooftopgarden.
Diabetes in dogs – how to recognize and treat diabetes in your dog
Diabetes is an extremely widespread disease in our society. It is often called "diabetes mellitus" or "diabetes Known. If it is diagnosed at an early stage, it can be well managed and treated with appropriate medication. In addition to humans, our beloved four-legged friends can also suffer from diabetes. In this article we would like to take a closer look at the topic of diabetes in dogs and explain to you how to recognize diabetes in your dog and how to treat it successfully.
Basics and causes of diabetes
Basically, diabetes in a dog proceeds in a similar way as it does in humans. A distinction is made between two different types of the disease, namely:
– the diabetes type 1 – the diabetes type 2
If a type 1 disease is present, this means that the body of your four-legged friend no longer produces insulin and is therefore dependent on appropriate injections. A type 2 disease, on the other hand, indicates a disturbed insulin secretion. Insulin is an important hormone that is produced in the pancreas and is necessary for an intact and well-functioning metabolism. For this reason diabetes is also called metabolic disease, because it can cause a so-called metabolic derailment. If your dog suffers from one of the two types of diabetes mentioned above, this will inevitably affect the metabolism of your animal. The protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism are particularly affected.
The causes of diabetes can be completely different. In many cases, the disease is genetically determined. Then appears in the later course of life of an animal. It is striking that bitches are affected on average four times more frequently than males. Another cause may be due to faulty nutrition. A resulting obesity of the dog can be attributed to. Other pre-existing conditions that eventually lead to diabetes are also conceivable.
Symptoms and diagnosis of diabetes
There is a whole range of different symptoms that can indicate a diabetes disease. Particularly frequent symptoms are constant hunger. The conspicuously strong desire for liquid. Since the metabolism of the affected dogs does not function as usual, the required nutrients do not reach the brain. The body sends a very clear signal accordingly, namely hunger, which is why dogs can be plagued by constant starvation. In addition, diabetes in dogs is often manifested by sluggishness and lack of energy, because the body of the animals can not be supplied optimally. Insufficient insulin prevents proper conversion of glucose into energy. Instead, the excess glucose is excreted in the urine. Frequent urination can therefore be another indication that a dog is suffering from diabetes. To counteract dehydration, affected quadrupeds often drink a conspicuous amount of water throughout the day. Other possible symptoms are:
1. dull, lackluster coat 2. excessive hair loss 3. Weight loss
If some of the symptoms mentioned above apply to your dog or if you notice changes and abnormalities in the behavior of your animal, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian. A diabetes doctor is a specialist in the field, who can find out with the help of a large blood count and a urine analysis whether your four-legged friend has diabetes, diagnose it at an early stage if possible and start treatment.
Therapy and prevention of diabetes
Unfortunately, in order to treat diabetes in dogs in the best possible way, daily insulin injections play a crucial role in addition to proper diet and exercise. After a veterinarian has diagnosed the disease, he will create an individual therapy plan for the affected dog, which is to be applied by the owner. For example, many dogs are put on a diet plan to reduce excess weight. However, if diabetes has caused weight loss, the first step would be to return the dog to a normal weight.
In addition, two insulin injections a day are usually necessary to regulate the dog's blood sugar level. This also makes regular monitoring of blood glucose and, if necessary, blood sugar levels necessary. Adjustment of daily dosage required. Initially, this can be a real challenge, but with the right support and a little patience, a routine will soon be established.
Unfortunately, there is no secret recipe for preventing your dog from developing diabetes in the course of his life. In order to counteract this disease in the best possible way, you should make sure that your four-legged friend has a balanced and healthy diet and that he gets enough exercise. In this way, you can effectively prevent overweight and obesity, significantly reducing the risk of developing diabetes.