3/05/2013

Gaining an understanding of diabetes mellitus in canines and developing a routine are vital to successful management. I will attempt to help you gain a better understanding of the condition, give you a few symptoms to look for, and put forward a couple of common sense ideas for management.



Diabetes mellitus in canines is a chronic condition caused by either insulin deficiency or insulin resistance. While all breed may develop diabetes mellitus in canines there are a five breed are the most susceptible - Beagles, Miniature Poodles, Canine Terriers, Schnauzers, and Dachshunds. Also female dogs are twice as likely to be affected as their male counterparts. The most likely candidate for this condition would be a middle aged female that is from one of the high risk breeds listed above.  



Diabetes is a sneaky disease which may develop gradually. If you are specifically looking for the signs (increased thirst and urination, increased appetite, weight loss) the presence of the condition may be fairly obvious but otherwise diabetes can go undetected for years. Canines with this condition are susceptible to recurrent infections. An enlarged liver is common.Cataracts may develop over time if the condition is not identified and treated in due course.  



What might lead to decreased insulin production? The most likely answer is destruction of islet cells. The islet cells reside in the liver and are responsible for processing blood sugar. Additionally, certain drugs such as progestins and glucocorticoids when used over a long period of time can foster diabetes in canines. Another cause is obesity. Obesity increases the risk of insulin resistance and is one of the few causes which may be avoidable.  



A diagnosis is established based on finding high levels of sugar in the blood and urine after a period of fasting. Once confirmed your veterinarian will likely suggest a combination of weight reduction, diet, insulin injections, and possibly oral medications. Quite possibly the prescribed treatment/treatments may have to be administered over the course of your canines life.  



Ultimately, the best treatment for diabetes mellitus in canines is to take steps to prevent the disease from occurring in the first place. In this regard keeping your pets weight in check is a good place to start. Secondarily is you can catch it in the early stages you may be able to effectively treat the condition and limit the damage. And lastly, some canine owners are turning to a natural supplemental approach to treating diabetes mellitus in canines. These all natural formulas can be used both as a supplemental or stand alone treatment and are an option worth considering.
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