Diabetes is becoming more common in 'the man's best friend'- the dog. Diabetes can occur at almost any age in a dog, from young dog stage to aging dogs. Diabetes develops due to a lack of an insulin - produced from a hormone in the body. When a dog eats their Food, the digestive system begins to break down the food immediately. While breaking the food down, it also breaks down the glucose as well. Everything should work well unless the dog cannot produce enough insulin.
Once a dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, you can help him or her manage the diabetes in several ways.
Tip 1
Make sure that your dog takes their medication as scheduled if it is necessary. You may simply need to regulate their diet and their weight. Other dogs may need to be hospitalised in order to regulate the sugar in their blood. A dog may need to take insulin shots to regulate the blood glucose. Your vet can go over the details with you as well as some of the best treatments available.
Tip 2
Learn the signs and symptoms of diabetes so you will be able to act quickly if ever there is a problem. Whether you already know that your dog has diabetes or you are around dogs often, you need to know what the signs are of diabetes so you can help the dog live a happy and healthier life.
The symptoms include:
Lethargy, weight loss, a constant thirst, a decrease or increase in appetite, a fruity smell on the breath, dehydration symptoms, vomiting, blindness or cataracts, skin infections that are severe, and a urinary tract infection.
All of these symptoms can lead to the development of diabetes. The cause of diabetes can range from genetics, obesity, high levels of protein deposits going into the pancreas, and certain medications the dog may already be on. Age also plays an important role in the development of diabetes. If a dog is obese, a female, and is older than nine years old, they have a higher chance of developing diabetes.
Tip 3
If you notice any of the symptoms above then you need to take your dog to the veterinarian as quickly as possible. If left untreated, dogs will more than likely develop even more health issues such as urinary tract infections that are severe, cataracts, and a coma or death could also be a possibility.
Tip 4
Make sure that your dog gets enough exercise during the day. Take time to bathe your dog and brush his or her fur in order to keep your dog looking healthy and to help you in recognising any changes in your pet.
Tip 5
Create a diet that balances their digestive system. Avoid feeding your dog sugary treats that are not good for them. Read labels, even for your pets.