You might not be aware of it, but puppies and young dogs can get diabetes. This happens when the pancreas does not develop normally in puppies, causing it to release insufficient insulin. Since insulin is important in moving glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body, this causes glucose to build up in the blood instead of reaching the important muscle and liver cells to provide them with energy. This can cause a number of symptoms and eventually even kill your dog. However, there are treatments that can stop this. Let's take a look at the symptoms of diabetes in young dogs and what you can do to help your pet.
Juvenile diabetes in dogs will generally result in failure of your puppy to grow properly. These dogs will be smaller than normal in most cases, and prone to lose weight over time, but they'll be constantly hungry and eat ravenously. Since the body cannot use its glucose properly, it cannibalizes muscle to produce the energy it needs. In the long run, this can result in weakness or even paralysis in a puppy suffering from juvenile onset diabetes.
The elevated blood sugar caused by juvenile onset diabetes in dogs will affect a number of different bodily systems. Excess sugar is processed through the kidneys, causing frequent urination and intense thirst in your pet. High levels of blood sugar can also affect the eye, damaging the lens and leading to dimness of vision and even blindness. Loss of muscle mass, in combination with low levels of energy available to cells in the body results in general weakness.
If your dog seems small, underweight, weak, urinates more frequently than he or she should, or eats and drinks a lot more than normal, juvenile onset diabetes may be the culprit. Elevated blood sugar levels are toxic to many systems in the body, including the liver, brain and blood vessels, and a dog that suffers from uncontrolled diabetic symptoms will not live out his or her full life. As soon as you believe your dog has this problem, you need to see the vet. A simple blood test will help determine the level of sugar in the blood, and treatment can be initiated - the earlier the better.
Unfortunately, the methods that work well for humans - oral insulin tablets and control of the diet - don't work very well in dogs. This means that people with a dog that is suffering from diabetes will need to provide daily injections of the right amount of insulin (carefully monitored with blood tests and tests of sugar in the urine) to allow their pets to live healthy lives. In addition, daily feeding must be in controlled amounts and on a regular basis to provide a consistent sugar supply.
The good news is that with proper care and attention on the part of the owner, a diabetic dog can live a full and healthy life. If you suspect your young dog is suffering from diabetes, take action now and help your pet be happier and healthier.
Juvenile diabetes in dogs will generally result in failure of your puppy to grow properly. These dogs will be smaller than normal in most cases, and prone to lose weight over time, but they'll be constantly hungry and eat ravenously. Since the body cannot use its glucose properly, it cannibalizes muscle to produce the energy it needs. In the long run, this can result in weakness or even paralysis in a puppy suffering from juvenile onset diabetes.
The elevated blood sugar caused by juvenile onset diabetes in dogs will affect a number of different bodily systems. Excess sugar is processed through the kidneys, causing frequent urination and intense thirst in your pet. High levels of blood sugar can also affect the eye, damaging the lens and leading to dimness of vision and even blindness. Loss of muscle mass, in combination with low levels of energy available to cells in the body results in general weakness.
If your dog seems small, underweight, weak, urinates more frequently than he or she should, or eats and drinks a lot more than normal, juvenile onset diabetes may be the culprit. Elevated blood sugar levels are toxic to many systems in the body, including the liver, brain and blood vessels, and a dog that suffers from uncontrolled diabetic symptoms will not live out his or her full life. As soon as you believe your dog has this problem, you need to see the vet. A simple blood test will help determine the level of sugar in the blood, and treatment can be initiated - the earlier the better.
Unfortunately, the methods that work well for humans - oral insulin tablets and control of the diet - don't work very well in dogs. This means that people with a dog that is suffering from diabetes will need to provide daily injections of the right amount of insulin (carefully monitored with blood tests and tests of sugar in the urine) to allow their pets to live healthy lives. In addition, daily feeding must be in controlled amounts and on a regular basis to provide a consistent sugar supply.
The good news is that with proper care and attention on the part of the owner, a diabetic dog can live a full and healthy life. If you suspect your young dog is suffering from diabetes, take action now and help your pet be happier and healthier.
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