All You Need To Know About Diabetes In Dogs

Just like humans, animals too suffer from diabetes. Canine diabetes is very prevalent in today’s society with 1 out of 160 dogs exhibiting the symptoms. But what causes diabetes in dogs? Diabetes comes about from the body’s inability to produce enough insulin to help in the metabolizing of food for energy.

Also, it can occur when the body does not utilize the insulin in the body properly. Dogs are affected by type 1 diabetes. Gestational diabetes can as well happen on pregnant dogs. Type 2 diabetes is most familiar to humans and cats. There is no evidence supporting the occurrence of Type 2 diabetes in dogs.

Diabetes affects middle-aged and senior dogs. A higher number of dogs are above seven years during the time of diagnosis. It is less common in younger dogs and even rare on dogs under one year. It mainly occurs in neutered males and female dogs and less common in fully intact males. Researchers have as well speculated that diabetes in dogs may have a genetic link to it.

Half the number of diabetes cases in dogs is linked to a failing pancreas. Veterinarians speculate that multiple vaccinations, processed food, and other environmental factors may lead to an over-stimulation of the immune system leading to the development of diabetes. Excessive damage of the pancreas contributes to 30 percent of all diabetes cases in dogs. Cushing’s disease may as well play a role in the development of diabetes in dogs. However, you may resolve the situation by treating Cushing’s disease.

Some people assume that obesity can lead to diabetes in dogs. However, there is no clear evidence to support the theory. Obesity leads to the resistance of insulin in the body increasing the difficulty in dealing with diabetes in overweight dogs.

How can you tell that a dog is a diabetic?

If dogs could talk, everything would be effortless. However, it makes it reasonable to always be on the lookout for signs that can tell if a dog is diabetic. The most common symptoms are an increase in thirst, excessive urination and loss of weight despite maintaining a good eating habit.

Diabetes affects a dog in two ways;

• The body cells are deprived of the glucose needed for energy formation. Due to this, the body breaks down the fats and protein to generate energy.
• Without enough insulin in the body, there is an accumulation of sugar levels in the bloodstream that eventually acts as a poison damaging multiple organs in the body.

Uncontrolled diabetes is dangerous to a dog as it can lead to;

• Cataracts – May, later on, lead to blindness
• Seizures
• Enlarged liver
• Kidney failure
• Ketoacidosis

When a dog exhibits any signs of diabetes, it is essential that it receives immediate treatment. Provided the proper care is given the life expectancy of a dog with diabetes is similar to that of a non-diabetic dog. The first six months are critical when insulin therapy is introduced to the dog. However, once the conditions stabilize everything becomes okay.

A veterinarian is able to advise on the best insulin treatment. However, to find the right insulin product, you may be required to experiment with different varieties under the guidelines of your veterinarian.