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Canine Diabetes

Causes, Symtoms, and Treatments
For Diabetes in Dogs

Understanding The Causes, Symtoms, and Treatments of Canine Diabetes

Canine diabetes is a common ailment in dogs, and can be controlled by understanding the the causes, symptoms, and treatments. It appears to be much more common in obese dogs. Some dog breeds such as Beagles, Cairn Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, Poodles, and Schnauzers can be more predisposed to diabetes mellitus.

Dogs diagnosed with diabetes can live for years with treatment by keeping their blood sugars regulated. The key to controlling diabetes in dogs is understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments. Do you know what they are?

Causes Of Canine Diabetes

Diabetes in dogs is caused when cells in the pancreas stop producing enough insulin, or if cells in other body tissues become resistant to the action of insulin. This is called Diabetes mellitus and diabetic dogs can not control their blood sugars. Hyperglycemia results when the blood sugar is too high. Commonly, this disease is is known to be caused by either: heredity or chronic pancreatis.

Symptoms of Dog Diabetes

Understanding dog diabetes symptoms will allow you to get treatment for your best friend quickly. When in doubt, always see your veterinarian. Always better to be safe than sorry.

Diabetes is very serious disease and you will want to get it under control if you see any of these symptoms. The symptoms may include, but are not always limited to:

     Sudden cataract formation
     Increased appetite
     Dehydration
     Drinking more
     Urinating more
     Weight loss

Uncontrolled diabetes may result in your dog becoming what is called ketotic. Cells actually use fat as fuel for energy production, resulting in ketone bodies accumulating in your dog's blood. If your dog becomes ketotic, he (she) may have additional symptoms. Should your dog have any of these symptoms see your veterinarian immediately:

     breath with possible acetone odor
     rapid breathing
     depression
     weakness
     vomiting

Diagnosis of Canine Diabetes

A series of blood tests and urine tests are done to diagnose diabetes. Your dog's blood sugar will also be tested. A diabetic dogs blood sugar will be greater then 200 mg/dl whereas, normal levels for a dog will be 70 - 150 mg/dl. Urine is tested for glucose. These tests will also rule out any other diseases which have similar symptoms of diabetes.

Treatments for Dog Diabetes

Just like humans with diabetes, treatments for diabetes in dogs is similar... through diet and insulin therapy. It is likely your dog will be switched to a new diet that is high in fiber and complex carbohydrates. Special dog diets help avoid elevations of glucose and regulates blood glucose after eating. Let your veterinarian recommend a special diet.

Insulin therapy is given with injections under the skin. Insulin will need to be stored in the refrigerator. The injections should not be given in the same spot or your dog may start to build up scar tissue preventing the insulin from proper absorption by the body. These syringes should never be reused to avoid an infection.

Your veterinarian will teach you how to give insulin injections to your dog and how to properly handle and store the insulin. Regular blood glucose checks will ensure it is properly regulated.

Any dog with canine diabetes will need to be treated for it's entire life. Care should be taken that he (or she) to begin a routine schedule. Decide who the caretaker in your household will be and keep track when treating your dog. Lack of treatment could result in the death of your dog. Treating canine diabetes will definitely extend the life of your dog for many years. He (or she) depends on you AND these treatments.

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