Canine Diabetes

Canine Diabetes causes the dog’s body to produce to much blood sugar. When this occurs, the dog may urinate a lot, drink a lot, eat more, gain weight, lose weight, or be lethargic. If this disease has progressed farther, the dog may be anorexic, have depression, begin vomiting or become blind due to cataract development.

Canine Diabetes is most often seen in dogs that are 5 to 9 years old and are overweight or obese. Unsprayed females are also more likely to have Canine Diabetes because of the female hormones her body produces. Several breeds are predisposed to have this disease such as Cairn Terriers. Several breeds are also at a high risk for this disease including Poodles and Dachshunds.

If you suspect your dog has Canine Diabetes, you need to let a veterinarian see the dog before any symptoms get any worse. At the veterinarian clinic a diagnosis will be reached by information collected from a physical exam, history of the dog, urine tests and blood tests. During the physical exam, the veterinarian will observe the dog for symptoms of the disease. Urine is collected and tested for glucose. Blood is collected and tested for elevated blood sugar levels.

There are two types of Canine Diabetes, type I and type II. A dog that will have to have insulin injections for the remainder of its life is a type I. A dog who may or may not have to have insulin injections for life is a type II.

Treatment of Canine Diabetes depends on which type of diabetes the dog has. Treatment basically consists of diet, exercise and insulin injections. The dog that has been diagnosed with Canine Diabetes should immediately be put on a diet high in fiber and protein and low in fats and carbohydrates. Exercise daily and stay on schedule are also important when treating dogs with this disease. Insulin injections given by the owner are administered either once or twice per day, depending on what the veterinarian has prescribed. Most small dog breeds are prescribed insulin shots twice per day while large dogs are usually prescribed once daily. But this could be different depending on the findings of the veterinarian, who has the final say.

A dog with Canine Diabetes will need care and attention everyday for the rest of its life. It will need to have its blood sugar levels monitored and recorded as prescribed by the veterinarian. The dog’s diet will also have to be monitored and it will have to have exercise daily. Insulin injections will need to be administered if the veterinarian prescribes it. It is important for the dog to stay on schedule and to know that it’s owner still loves it.