Canine Diabetes

Are you experiencing the following scenario with your dog: loss of weight; frequent vomiting; excessive drinking of water accompanied by excessive urinating; loss of good hair coat; and listlessness? Such symptoms may indicate the presence of canine diabetes and it would be best to have your pets examined by a veterinarian immediately.

Just like people, dogs can also contract diabetes, either diabetes mellitus or diabetes insipidus, and would exhibit the same symptoms that people do. Although this disease can be considered serious and may need careful attention, administering the proper treatment can assure you of more happy years together with your beloved pet.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Diabetes in Dogs

Diabetes is caused when the body (in this case your dog's body) develops hyperglycemia or what is commonly known as high blood sugar (high blood glucose) levels. When the dog’s body has hyperglycemia, it is unable to totally break down glucose from food intake in order to absorb and use it properly. This would result in sugar appearing in your pet’s urine that is why the dog urinates excessively above normal frequency. In order for your dog to compensate for this excess urination, your canine friend has to take in more fluids or water and this action are indicative of diabetes.

Other signs of diabetes include weight loss, poor skin, vomiting and generalized body weakness. If left untreated or unregulated, diabetes can lead to blindness and your pet may develop kidney problems that may prove fatal. That is why it is necessary for your dog to undergo certain tests and physical examinations from a qualified veterinarian in order to determine blood sugar levels as well as kidney, heart and liver enzymes to ensure that proper treatment can be advised and administered.

Causes of Diabetes in Dogs- It is not your fault

Diabetes is a disease that can affect any dog regardless of breed, age and gender. Although the exact cause is not entirely known by medical experts, the possibility of type 2 diabetes developing is more likely due to hereditary traits, obesity, and even as a side effect after taking certain medications for other illnesses.

Treatments and Proper Care for Dogs with Canine Diabetes

Medications for human diabetes are widely available; however this is not the same case with canine diabetes. As such, the owners of dogs diagnosed with diabetes should have a firm commitment to take care of their pets and begin treatments recommended by their veterinarians. Treatments can include the administering of oral medication or insulin shots once or twice a day to keep your dog’s blood sugar levels stable. What diabetes treatment your vet prescribes depends on the extent of the disease. When you are looking to fulfill your pet’s prescription, the internet can be a great resource for savings.

Weight loss is another problem related to diabetes that you should take into consideration. In this regard, a drastic change in your dog’s diet should be made, particularly a change to a diet that is higher in fiber and also carbohydrates. All these actions require commitment on the side of the owner and constant communication with the vet until such time as the dog's sugar levels have normalized.