Diabetes is a serious condition that affects as many as one in three hundred dogs in the United States. While it is treatable, diabetes in dogs cannot be cured and can be fatal if the right diagnosis and medication aren’t obtained fast enough. The cause of diabetes in dogs is unknown, so it is important for dog owners to know and look for the symptoms of diabetes in dogs so that they can get treatment in a timely manner.
How to recognize symptoms of diabetes in dogs
Diabetes can present in a variety of ways, some of which can also indicate other serious dog illnesses. Dog owners should always err on the side of caution when their dogs are displaying any unusual symptoms and consult with their veterinarian. The following symptoms of diabetes in dogs are the most common:
- Excessive or increased drinking and urinating
- Weight loss
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Sweet or fruity smelling breath
- Vomiting
- Increase in food consumption
The faster you take your dog to the veterinarian’s office for a diagnosis, the better his or her chances are that the disease won’t progress any further. It increases the likelihood that your pet will be able to continue living a normal life with daily insulin injections.
How to help prevent your dog from getting diabetes
While experts still aren’t sure what causes diabetes, there are certain factors that seem to contribute to dogs becoming diabetic. In the case of diabetes in dogs, since there is no cure, prevention is the best way to help ensure that your dog doesn’t develop the condition over time. Here are a few tips to help prevent diabetes in dogs:
1. Obesity
More than half the dogs in the United States are obese, a condition that can be a risk factor for diabetes in dogs. In addition to being conducive to diabetes, being overweight can cause arthritis, hip and back pain, skin disease and heart disease. To keep your dog at a healthy weight feed him or her the right amount of food, do not overindulge in treats and make sure that he or she gets a healthy dose of exercise every day.
2. Pancreatitis
Twenty-five percent of dogs with diabetes have or have had pancreatitis. This condition destroys beta cells in the pancreas – those are the cells that produce insulin. With no insulin being produced, there is a high risk that dogs with pancreatitis will become diabetic. The most common cause of pancreatitis in dogs is a diet high in fat, so monitoring your dog’s fat intake is the best way to avoid this condition. Know that pancreatitis can happen after only one high-fat meal, not simply over time, so if your dog got into the garbage and wolfed down all the fat trimmings from the evening steak dinner, he or she could get pancreatitis.
3. Supplements
There are a number of supplements that you can add to your dog’s diet to help them stay healthy and avoid the symptoms of diabetes in dogs. Antioxidants like those found in colorful fruit, parsley and berries are an invaluable supplement. Probiotics help support a healthy immune system and keep the gut and digestive system clean. Digestive enzymes help dogs get more nutrition out of their food and support pancreas health.
What you should know about treating your diabetic dog at home
Your veterinarian will be able to tell you how to inject insulin as well as how much to give your dog based on his or her weight. You can expect to stick to a strict feeding schedule which will coincide with insulin injections. This will help your dog get the most nutrients out of his or her meals and help regulate his or her blood sugar levels. You will also be instructed to increase your dog’s activity level and feed the dog a proper balanced and nutritional diet, one that is low in fat and sugar.
Summary
If your dog is overweight and displays any of the symptoms of diabetes in dogs, do not delay in taking him or her to the veterinarian’s office to have them tested for diabetes. In order to live a long and happy life, your dog may need daily insulin injections and your vet will be able to tell you how to take care of your canine companion at home. With regular checkups and a lot of love and care, diabetic dogs can live a long, normal life with little to no discomfort.
