CityPetDiabetes in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments
Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a medical condition that affects dogs as well as humans and other animals. Diabetes in dogs occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, or when the body becomes resistant to insulin.
When the body can’t produce enough insulin or use it effectively, the blood sugar levels in the dog’s body become too high, leading to a variety of health problems. Some of the signs of diabetes in dogs include increased thirst and urination, weight loss, increased appetite, lethargy, and vision changes.
There are two types of diabetes in dogs:
- Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin.
- Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin.
Diabetes in dogs can be managed through diet, exercise, and insulin therapy. It’s important to work closely with a veterinarian to diagnose and treat diabetes in dogs, as untreated diabetes can lead to serious complications such as cataracts, kidney disease, and neuropathy.
Causes of Diabetes in dogs:
There are different causes of diabetes in dogs, and some of the common causes include:
- Genetics: Some breeds of dogs are more predisposed to diabetes, including Samoyeds, Poodles, Schnauzers, Beagles, and Dachshunds.
- Obesity: Overweight dogs are more likely to develop diabetes because excess body fat can interfere with insulin production.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can damage the insulin-producing cells, leading to diabetes.
- Infections: Certain infections, such as the canine distemper virus, can damage the pancreas and lead to diabetes.
- Medications: Long-term use of medications such as glucocorticoids (steroids) can interfere with insulin production.
- Aging: Older dogs are more prone to developing diabetes, and it’s believed to be due to a decrease in insulin production.
- Autoimmune disease: Sometimes, the dog’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to diabetes.
It’s important to note that while these factors increase the risk of developing diabetes, they don’t necessarily cause it. The exact cause of diabetes in dogs is not always known, and it can develop due to a combination of factors.
Symptoms of Diabetes in Dogs
The symptoms of diabetes in dogs can vary depending on the severity of the disease. However, some common symptoms include:
- Increased thirst and urination: Dogs with diabetes tend to drink more water and urinate more frequently.
- Increased appetite: Some dogs may seem hungrier than usual because their body is not properly utilizing the glucose in their food.
- Weight loss: Despite eating more, dogs with diabetes may lose weight because their body is breaking down fat and muscle for energy.
- Fatigue or lethargy: Dogs with diabetes may seem more tired or less active than usual.
- Vomiting or diarrhea: These symptoms can occur due to the body’s inability to properly digest and absorb nutrients.
- Dehydration: Increased urination and thirst can lead to dehydration.
- Sweet-smelling breath: Some dogs with diabetes may have a sweet, fruity odor to their breath due to the buildup of ketones in their bloodstream.
It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be present in other conditions, so it’s essential to have your dog examined by a veterinarian if you notice any of these signs. Early detection and treatment of diabetes can help prevent complications and improve your dog’s quality of life.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosing diabetes in dogs typically involves several steps, including:
- Physical examination: A veterinarian will examine your dog and look for any symptoms of diabetes, such as increased thirst, weight loss, and sweet-smelling breath.
- Blood tests: Blood tests can help to measure your dog’s blood glucose levels and check for other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as kidney disease or infections.
- Urinalysis: A urinalysis can help to detect the presence of glucose in your dog’s urine, which is a sign of diabetes.
- Fructosamine test: This test measures the amount of glycated protein in the blood, which provides an estimate of the average blood glucose level over the previous two to three weeks.
- Glucose tolerance test: In some cases, a glucose tolerance test may be done to measure how well your dog’s body processes glucose.
If your dog is diagnosed with diabetes, your veterinarian may recommend further tests, such as an ultrasound of the abdomen or chest X-rays, to check for any complications associated with diabetes.
Treatment:
The treatment of diabetes in dogs typically involves a combination of dietary changes, exercise, and medication. The goal of treatment is to regulate your dog’s blood glucose levels and prevent complications associated with diabetes.
- Dietary changes: A veterinarian may recommend a specialized diet for diabetic dogs that is high in protein and fiber and low in carbohydrates. This type of diet can help to regulate blood glucose levels and prevent spikes in blood sugar after meals.
- Exercise: Regular exercise can help to improve insulin sensitivity in dogs and regulate blood glucose levels. However, it’s important to monitor your dog’s blood sugar before and after exercise, as strenuous activity can cause blood glucose levels to drop too low.
- Medication: Dogs with diabetes may require medication to regulate their blood glucose levels. This may include insulin injections or oral medications, such as metformin or glipizide. Your veterinarian will determine the best type of medication and dosage for your dog based on their individual needs.
- Regular monitoring: Monitoring your dog’s blood glucose levels is essential to ensure that treatment is working effectively. Your veterinarian may recommend home monitoring using a glucose meter or regular visits to the clinic for blood tests.
- Management of complications: Diabetes can lead to complications such as cataracts, neuropathy, and infections. Your veterinarian will monitor your dog for any signs of complications and provide appropriate treatment if necessary.
It’s important to work closely with your veterinarian to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for your dog’s diabetes. With proper management, many dogs with diabetes can live happy and healthy life.
Summary:
In this blog, we have learned about Diabetes in dogs, a condition where their body has trouble controlling the amount of sugar in their blood. This leads to high levels of sugar in the blood, which can cause various health problems over time.
Treatment typically involves a special diet, regular exercise, and medication such as insulin injections. With proper management, many dogs with diabetes can live happy and healthy life.
If you have trouble understanding diabetes, you can always contact us as we, City Pet Hospital have expert vets who are specialized in many diseases related to pets.