Diabetes is a condition in which the body has trouble turning food into energy It affects people and animals alike. Dogs can experience it as well. In fact, according to a study, one in 200 dogs will eventually acquire diabetes. The good news is that diabetes in dogs is treatable. A long, healthy life is now feasible for diabetic dogs thanks to recent medical advancements. Phew! So, if your dog just received a diagnosis, try not to freak out. This article covers forms of diabetes in dogs, risk factors, symptoms, treatments, and more.
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What is Diabetes?
Body cells function on glucose, a kind of sugar, like how automobiles utilize gasoline. The body converts the carbs in the food into glucose. After then, cells use insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas in specialized cells known as beta cells, to draw glucose from the blood. The organ beneath the stomach known as the pancreas makes several hormones. The most prevalent kind of diabetes in dogs is diabetes mellitus, commonly known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The result of inadequate glucose uptake by cells in diabetes mellitus is an accumulation of glucose in the blood. Cells starve as a result, and organs soaked in sugary blood suffer harm.
A dog with diabetes may live for many happy years after being diagnosed; diabetes in dogs is not curable, but it is treatable.
Types of Dogs Diabetes
Despite what you may have heard, dogs do not typically develop Type 1 diabetes. Although there are no agreed classifications of canine diabetes, the Royal Veterinary College of the United Kingdom distinguishes between insulin-deficiency diabetes (IDD) and insulin-resistance diabetes (IRD). Dogs with insulin-deficiency diabetes lose their beta cells, which means they can no longer produce enough insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. Genetic flaws, pancreatic inflammation, and immunological assault are some of the causes (like type 1 diabetes in humans).
In canine diabetes with insulin resistance, the dog’s insulin cannot operate as it should. Something like “diestrus,” pregnancy, an endocrine disorder, or steroid or progesterone-type hormone therapy might be that “something.” Diestrus, the most typical cause of IRD, is around two months during which high levels of the female hormone progesterone are present in between cycles of estrus (heat). Diestrus is hormonally similar to pregnancy, making this kind of IRD comparable to gestational diabetes in humans.
Diabetes in Dogs – Symptoms
Dogs’ diabetes may be a quiet illness. Regular blood tests by your veterinarian may identify your dog’s diabetes, but before that happens, you’ll likely notice some of the signs, such as increased thirst or appetite, weight loss, and frequent or copious urine (some dogs start having accidents in the house).
- Loss of weight
- Changes in appetite
- Increased urine and thirst
- Lack of energy
The most popular diagnostic method is a blood test that gauges your dog’s blood glucose level, however, diabetes is not necessarily indicated by a high glucose level. Your veterinarian may do additional testing to rule out such reasons because other illnesses can occasionally cause these levels to rise.
Diagnostic Tests
Once your dog has been given the diabetes diagnosis, their veterinarian will take several glucose readings over many hours to create a “serial blood glucose-concentration curve”. The outcomes will aid the veterinarian in selecting the right insulin, dosage, and dosing regimen. Your dog will need to undergo regular testing to see how well the program is working when treatment begins.
Most frequently, a fructosamine test or a glycated hemoglobin test are employed, which both indicate average control over the past one to three weeks (for fructosamine) or two to four months (for glycated hemoglobin), respectively. The daily blood glucose test, in contrast, provides a snapshot of your dog’s blood sugar level at a single instant in time.
Diabetes in Dogs – Risk Factors
A dog is more likely to get diabetes for a variety of reasons, including the following factors:
Breed
Purebred dogs were less likely to develop diabetes than mixed-breed dogs. Purebred animals’ susceptibilities differed widely between breeds. Australian Terrier, Standard Schnauzer, Samoyed, Miniature Schnauzer, Fox Terrier, Keeshond, Bichon Frise, Finnish, Spitz, Cairn Terrier, Miniature Poodle, Siberian Husky, and Toy Poodle are among the dog breeds with the highest risk of developing diabetes.
Age
Dogs most frequently get diabetes in their middle or advanced years.
Gender
Diabetes is more common in female dogs and neutered male dogs than in intact males. Although it’s uncertain if obesity causes diabetes in dogs, it can make cells resistant to insulin.
Diabetes in Dogs – Treatment
Diabetes management is a combination of science and art. Treatment aims to maintain your dog’s blood glucose levels around normal — typically between 65 and 120 mg/dl — so that your dog feels well right away and is less likely to experience complications from diabetes in the future.
The most typical diabetes problem in dogs is cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye). Over time, dogs can also develop kidney disease, nerve disease, and hardening of the arteries. Furthermore, dogs with diabetes are more likely to get gum, urinary, skin, and other infections because germs flourish on a high-sugar diet. A healthy diet, weight loss (if your dog is overweight), an exercise regimen, and at-home blood glucose monitoring are further therapeutic options.
Insulin
With very few exceptions, dogs with diabetes require one to two daily injections of insulin, which are administered just beneath the skin. Your doctor could recommend human insulin or Vetsulin, a pure pig insulin alternative.
In terms of how soon they begin to operate, when their activity peaks, how long they persist, and how much they cost, insulins vary widely. When deciding which type is ideal for your dog, your veterinarian will take these variables into account.
Monitoring at home
Regularly weigh your diabetic dog and keep an eye out for indications of excessive thirst, appetite, or urine since these might be signs that their glucose levels are too high. Regular blood glucose monitoring for your dog might identify issues before they develop into crises.
When the insulin dose is too low or administered at the wrong time, glucose levels rise after meals, sometimes when your dog is ill, and during fasting. Conversely, glucose levels fall during activity, after meals, and when the insulin dose is administered at the wrong time. Both very high and low amounts can be harmful. Consider when your dog last ate, how much activity she received lately, when she last had an insulin dosage, how much insulin she received, and any symptoms when interpreting the data.
A lancet is used to pierce a hairless region, and the blood drop that wells up is collected and the glucose content in the sample is determined using a little instrument called a blood glucose meter. Utilizing human blood glucose meters many dog owners. These meters typically read low for dogs, though. Only a small amount of blood is needed for the AlphaTRAK meter, which is made for dogs and cats.
Best Diet For Diabetes In Dogs
What diet is best for dogs with diabetes is currently being researched. A diet high in fiber and low in fat is advised by the majority of veterinarians. Fiber may help your dog lose weight by reducing its hunger and slowing the absorption of glucose into the blood. Your doctor can suggest a homemade diet created by a veterinary nutritionist, or a prescription dog food produced specifically for dogs with diabetes. If a dog won’t consume a special diet, extra consideration should be given while choosing a standard dog food.
Exercise
Exercise not only decreases blood glucose levels but also may help your dog lose weight. Every day, your dog needs to exercise for around the same amount of time and with roughly the same level of effort.
Consistency is key since exceptionally lengthy or intense exercise sessions might induce dangerously low blood glucose levels.
Loss of weight
If a dog is overweight, losing a few pounds may increase insulin sensitivity, facilitating simpler glucose absorption.
Spaying
Spaying stops the diestrus cycle in female dogs.
Living with a Dog with Diabetes
Maintaining a notebook will enable you to track your dog’s development. On your phone, a straightforward notepad or notes app works great. You should keep an eye out for the following items on your dog daily. Your dog’s appetite, weight, appearance, water intake, frequency of urine, and mood each day. You should also keep track of any treatment modifications your veterinarian makes.
Hyperglycemia
Ask your veterinarian what this is for your dog; while full control isn’t always possible with current techniques, physicians normally strive to keep most dogs below 200 mg/dl. This occurs when blood glucose levels climb over the upper end of the suggested normal level.
Ketoacidosis (dangerous amounts of ketones in the blood), which can result from hyperglycemia, is an emergency, therefore you should call your veterinarian at once. The most severe case can result in a coma. Other symptoms include drinking a lot of water, peeing often or copiously, losing appetite, being weak, vomiting, feeling lethargic, or having ketones in the urine. Ketones in your dog’s urine may be found using test strips, and even if your dog shows no other symptoms, you should notify your vet right away, once ketones are found.
Restlessness, lethargy, disorientation, weakness, wobbliness, loss of coordination, shivering, sweaty paws, seizures, or coma are just a few of the signs you could see. If your dog exhibits these symptoms, check his blood glucose level. Rub maple syrup, Karo syrup, or tube cake frosting on your dog’s gums and the inside of their cheeks if it is below the advised amount. Then, contact your veterinarian to report the incident and for additional recommendations.
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Final Words
With the advancement of medicine, caring for a diabetic dog is now very manageable. At first, it could seem too much to handle. However, after a while, it becomes second nature, like feeding or walking your dog (don’t worry, vaccinations and blood tests won’t take over your life). With you at their side, a diabetic dog may have a long and fulfilling life, just as you will. Hopefully, this article has helped shed some light on the importance of getting your dog tested before they are bred. If you have any further questions, contact your veterinarian for additional information. Share your thoughts with us in the comments below, and don’t forget to click here to visit our pet shop link and the top of this page. For our military veteran dog lovers click this link for military and patriotic-related products.
Have pictures you want to share? We would love to display photos of your pet canines on our blog site. Send your best pictures to our email address at; justlovingmydogs@gmail.com. We will select from pictures we receive, and include them in our weekly posts and upcoming newsletters