Does Your Dog Have Diabetes?
Introduction
Just like Humans, animals can get diabetes too, including dogs and cats. Usually pets develop Type 2 diabetes, where insulin production is reduced, or it is not processed efficiently anymore. On average between about 1 in 70 and 1 in 2000 dogs will develop diabetes, which typically develops in older dogs and particularly bitches. Dogs can develop the same complications as humans if the diabetes is not well controlled, including loss of vision, loss of sensation in limbs and hypos / hypers. To avoid severe complications, an early diagnosis is vital.
Symptoms to Watch For
- Increased thirst and more urination
- Weight loss
- Coat in poor condition
- Glucose in urine
Diabetes can be tested for by a simple blood or urine test to check for glucose. If you are worried, your Vet can easily perform a check.
Treatments Available
In general, for dogs, the best course of treatment are insulin injections. Your Vet will arrange the insulin and will start your off on a treatment regime. The amount of insulin required will depend largely on the weight, age and activity level of the dog. After a period of time, the vet should ask you back to recheck the blood glucose levels and possibly update the insulin levels to inject. One or more injections a day are usually required.
If you are happy to look after your dog yourself, you will need to test his or her blood glucose levels. For this you will need a blood glucose test meter, some testing strips and a lancet device (to allow you to get some blood). The easiest (or more usually, the least hard) way to get a drop of blood for testing is from an ear. Your Vet will advise you on the correct range of readings you should be seeing.
Risks
Your Vet should make you aware of the risk of 'Hypos' which is a condition where blood glucose levels fall very low and action needs to be taken quickly. The main causes of a Hypo are an overdose of insulin or too much exercise.
The first signs are fatigue, more hunger, staggering or swaying and if left untreated, convulsions, coma and death. If the dog is still conscious, sugary foods, like chocolate or biscuits should be given. If the dog cannot be fed, a glucose solution can be given to the mouth (it is absorbed and doesn't need to be swallowed) or if available a glucose based solution can be injected.
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Next, see our Pet diet advice page...
More Resources
Cat Diabetes
[ www.felinediabetes.com
]
[ www.sniksnak.com
]
[ www.vetinfo.com ]
[ www.petremedy.com
]
Dog Diabetes
[ www.caninediabetes.org
]
[ www.vetinfo.com ]
[ www.canismajor.com
]
[ www.petremedy.com
]
[ www.sniksnak.com
]
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Pages in this section...
[ Cats ] [ Home Testing Cats ] [ Dogs ] [ Pet Diabetic Diets ] [ Weight & Exercise ]
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