What is canine diabetes? Diabetes mellitus is the condition where in there is a deficiency of insulin to keep the body in its regular functioning. In the average dog, food is ingested and converted to glucose which serves to give energy to the body. Glucose is only accessed through insulin and the lack of insulin is the culprit behind dog diabetes.
If the pancreatic gland is not secreting sufficient insulin; or it the dog's cells fails to respond to the insulin-the animal has diabetes. Diabetes is not fatal. In fact, treatments are made easily available in stores and online shops that will ensure a long and fairly healthy life for your pet.
What are the symptoms of a diabetic dog? Excessive urination (or polydipsia) and unusually high consumption of water (or polyuria) is to be expected. You will also notice a loss of weight in him. This is because the body takes fat and protein from its reserves to counteract the lack of glucose produced.
When symptoms of diabetes arise, take your pet and have him diagnosed as soon as you are able. The vet will first get a urine test to see if traces of glucose are found in the urine. The results will be verified by a blood test that will or will not show a higher level of glucose than the normal dog. If it is confirmed that he has diabetes, get a thorough check-up for your dog to see if there are other health issues that might complicate his present condition further.
The treatment for dog diabetes will vary depending on the results as well as factors like age, weight and current condition of the animal. Generally, the recommended and primary method used will be injections of insulin-the dosage will again vary for every canine. Monitor him for a few days and get another check-up. If there is an improvement, maintain the dosage and establish a healthy routine the dog can follow.
It is very important that your dog is provided with good food and adequate exercise. A diet high in complex carbohydrates and fiber will help regulate the glucose in your dog's body better. Do not give food that have a lot of fat and sugar content in it. Read up on nutritional and appropriate meals and snacks you can serve your dog.
Exercise improves insulin production because it promotes better blood flow. Be very careful if you have never engaged the diabetic dog in physical activity before. Sudden exercise or any change in his exercise routine will cause blood sugar levels to decrease and may trigger hypoglycemic coma.
A common offshoot of diabetes is cataracts. High blood glucose levels, or hyperglycaemia disrupts the lens of the eyes. Neuropathy is also another possible complication of diabetes. Check the back legs of the dog for weakening. More than all that though, diabetes ketoacidosis is the most dangerous. The vital organs break down because of high hyperglycaemia that has been untreated for too long. Look out for the symptoms to avoid the more progressive complications that your diabetic dog may suffer if the condition is not kept appropriately under control.
If the pancreatic gland is not secreting sufficient insulin; or it the dog's cells fails to respond to the insulin-the animal has diabetes. Diabetes is not fatal. In fact, treatments are made easily available in stores and online shops that will ensure a long and fairly healthy life for your pet.
What are the symptoms of a diabetic dog? Excessive urination (or polydipsia) and unusually high consumption of water (or polyuria) is to be expected. You will also notice a loss of weight in him. This is because the body takes fat and protein from its reserves to counteract the lack of glucose produced.
When symptoms of diabetes arise, take your pet and have him diagnosed as soon as you are able. The vet will first get a urine test to see if traces of glucose are found in the urine. The results will be verified by a blood test that will or will not show a higher level of glucose than the normal dog. If it is confirmed that he has diabetes, get a thorough check-up for your dog to see if there are other health issues that might complicate his present condition further.
The treatment for dog diabetes will vary depending on the results as well as factors like age, weight and current condition of the animal. Generally, the recommended and primary method used will be injections of insulin-the dosage will again vary for every canine. Monitor him for a few days and get another check-up. If there is an improvement, maintain the dosage and establish a healthy routine the dog can follow.
It is very important that your dog is provided with good food and adequate exercise. A diet high in complex carbohydrates and fiber will help regulate the glucose in your dog's body better. Do not give food that have a lot of fat and sugar content in it. Read up on nutritional and appropriate meals and snacks you can serve your dog.
Exercise improves insulin production because it promotes better blood flow. Be very careful if you have never engaged the diabetic dog in physical activity before. Sudden exercise or any change in his exercise routine will cause blood sugar levels to decrease and may trigger hypoglycemic coma.
A common offshoot of diabetes is cataracts. High blood glucose levels, or hyperglycaemia disrupts the lens of the eyes. Neuropathy is also another possible complication of diabetes. Check the back legs of the dog for weakening. More than all that though, diabetes ketoacidosis is the most dangerous. The vital organs break down because of high hyperglycaemia that has been untreated for too long. Look out for the symptoms to avoid the more progressive complications that your diabetic dog may suffer if the condition is not kept appropriately under control.
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