A Guide Through Canine Diabetes

By HelloLife

Discussing Canine Diabetes

Canine diabetes is a chronic illness that affects one in every five hundred dogs. Canine diabetes is caused by a deficiency of insulin, the hormone that regulates how sugars are absorbed in the body and are utilized by the related cells and tissues of the body. The highest occurrences of this condition are found in dogs aged between five and seven years old, with female dogs being more susceptible. Weight is also a significant factor, as more heavy set and overweight dogs are usually affected.

Types of Canine Diabetes

There are two types of canine diabetes:

Type 1 canine diabetes (diabetes insipidus) is caused by an insufficient production of the hormone insulin by the pancreas. A dog that is affected with Type 1 canine diabetes will require daily insulin injections for the rest of its life.
Type 2 canine diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is the result of an inadequate response from a dog to insulin. A dog that is affected with Type 2 canine diabetes may or may not have to receive life long injections, but can possibly reverse the disorder through healthy lifestyle changes.

Symptoms of Canine Diabetes

There are several notable symptoms for dogs that are affected by diabetes. Two of the most common symptoms are:

Excessive thirst
Increase in appetite
Frequent urination

Other frequent symptoms include:

Weight loss
Poor skin
Poor hair or fur coat
Vomiting
Diabetic neuropathy (weakness in the rear legs)
Secondary bacterial infections
Liver disease
Dehydration

Dogs that are diagnosed as diabetic may also have other medical problems such as:

Urinary tract infections
Inflammation of the pancreas
Cushings disease
Thyroid disease
Cancer
Heart disease
Kidney disease
Anemia
Blindness

Dogs are susceptible to blindness because dogs eyes are highly sensitive to high blood sugar. Untreated, a dog can have blurred vision, cataracts, or even total blindness in as little as a few days time.

Diagnosing Canine Diabetes

To determine if a dog is diabetic, a veterinarian will collect a urine sample and have it tested for glucose (sugar). Blood is also collected and tested for elevated blood sugar levels. To confirm a diagnosis of canine diabetes, a veterinarian will need to look at three factors:

Does the dog have diabetes mellitus symptoms (the above listed symptoms)?
Is the amount of blood glucose too high?
Is there glucose in the dog's urine?

Older dogs may have to be subject to further testing past the initial hyperglycemia examination, as many diabetic dogs are older in age, and may have other medical conditions that require treatment. Without seeking treatment, a dog will begin to experience symptoms of lethargy, loss of appetite, depression, and vomiting. Affected dogs may also not be able to resist bacterial and fungal infections as well, and may develop liver and bladder problems and cataracts.

Treating Canine Diabetes

Canine diabetes is a treatable condition, but can be life-threatening if ignored. Canine diabetes is treated through a combination of daily insulin injections, and a low carbohydrate, restricted fat diet. Feeding your animal a raw diet and with foods as minimally processed as possible is ideal. Increasing exercise gradually and reducing the weight of obese dogs is recommended to improve diabetes symptoms, and to aid recovery. Diabetes doesn't mean your dog can't live a happy, full life, with some simple lifestyle changes; you can put them on the road to recovery.

Sources:

http://www.bddiabetes.com/us/main.aspx?cat=1&id=385

http://www.essortment.com/caninediabetes_rkvf.htm

http://www.bddiabetes.com/us/main.aspx?cat=1&id=384

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/diabetes.html

http://www.pgaa.com/canine/health/diabetes.html

Photo Credit: icathing