Canine Diabetes Symptoms
Diabetes in dogs is unfortunately far too common. Certain breeds suffer from diabetes more than others. Some of the breeds that are the most prone to canine diabetes include Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Poodles, and several others. There is no fixed age for diabetes to appear in dogs, but dogs between 6 and 9 years old are the most at risk.
Diabetes in canines is caused by an insufficient insulin production in the pancreas. It is the islet cells in the pancreas that are supposed to do their job of providing insulin. This insulin then allows glucose to move into the cells, where it is metabolized, and then released to create energy for metabolism. Pancreatitis can also create a breaking down of the islet cells. Low insulin levels can create hyperglycemia, which is essentially high blood pressure, and glycosuria, which is high urine sugar. Urine that has glucose can cause your dog to urinate more frequently, drink more water, and experience dehydration.
These are a few of the symptoms with canine diabetes, but there are others.
Diabetes Symptoms In Canines
It’s important to have a comprehensive list of basic canine diabetes symptoms handy. Knowing the symptoms of canine diabetes will allow you to decide if it’s time to make an appointment with your dog’s veterinarian.
These are symptoms to look for with early diabetes:
- Constant urination.
- The need to drink a lot of water.
- An increase in appetite that’s unnatural for your dog.
- Weight loss that cannot be explained by any other means.
Any combination of these symptoms can suggest early diabetes in your canine. It’s important at this point to have your animal tested to confirm or dis confirm the diagnosis. The sooner canine diabetes is detected in your dog, the sooner you can begin to seek treatment.
Failure to seek treatment can result in more severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include:
- Sudden, frequent attacks of lethargy.
- An appetite that decreases to dramatic levels.
- Vomiting.
- More intense bouts of dehydration.
- General weakness in everything your dog does.
- A variety of neurological problems.
- An enlargement of the liver.
- Becoming more susceptible to a variety of infections.
- Coma.
Avoiding these symptoms through early detection and treatment is not guaranteed, but you’re still better off addressing the potential problem as quickly as possible. Hyperglycemia can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. This is a life-threatening condition that should be dealt with at once.
Determining And Treating Canine Diabetes
Making the final call on canine diabetes is best left to a professional. It’s worth repeating that early detection is the best line of offense against the symptoms of canine diabetes causing debilitating, even fatal conditions.
Dietary management is the first step towards treating canine diabetes. Daily shots of insulin have also been proven effective against diabetes symptoms from becoming even worse.
Your dog deserves the very best in care. This includes keeping their health needs in mind at all times.