Diabetes in Dogs and Its Complications

Is your dog frequently getting thirsty and urinating often? Do you find him losing weight suddenly without any reason? Your dog may have diabetes!

Though it is shocking to know dogs too can get diabetes like humans, they too suffer serious complications from this condition.

Diabetes is fundamentally a disease where you will find increase in the blood sugar levels which causes defective metabolism bringing on various effects on different parts of the body. Canine diabetes is generally divided into two major groups, Diabetes Insipidus and Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes Insipidus is a rare type of diabetes where there is defective secretion of the anti-diuretic hormone called vasopressin which functions as the controlling factor in the water absorption of the kidneys.

Diabetes mellitus is the most common type of diabetes and is further classified as Type I and II diabetes. Type I affects a younger age group and is called as juvenile diabetes while type II is found more in older dogs especially those that are obese. Lack of insulin triggers this condition.

Other than the frequent urination and drinking of water there are many other symptoms that indicate that your dog may have diabetes. Sudden weight loss, deterioration in hair and skin quality, vomiting, dehydration, weakness in the hind legs and recurrent bacterial infections (that too secondary ones) that do not heal easily are a few of the other symptoms.

In case of the disease being severe there will be conditions like keto-acidosis, kidney failure, blindness and even acute diabetic neuropathy which are difficult to treat. If the disease is in a critical stage the affected dog will not respond to medications properly.

If your pet has any of the symptoms listed above you should get your dog checked with the veterinarian immediately. The veterinarian usually conducts a thorough physical examination and suggests various laboratory tests like blood and urine tests. In serious conditions a kidney and liver test is also needed to know the severity or extent of the disease.

If the canine diabetes is diagnosed and the type of diabetes is determined, the veterinarian will prescribe the required medications and diet that should be followed to keep the disease in check. Medications should be followed strictly and in case of insulin injections that need to be administered daily the pet owner should know about administration, dosage and storage of insulin.

Diet is very significant in the treatment of diabetes as with a controlled diet you can easily bring the sugar levels to a regulated amount. So, it's vital to follow the diet advised by the dog's veterinarian and usually dividing a single feed and giving it in two or more increments will help keep the level in check. Make sure you feed the dog with easily digestible foods.

The medications given to the dogs vary and depend on the type of diabetes found and the severity of the disease. Make sure your veterinarian can be reached immediately in case of emergencies like hypoglycemia or be equipped to deal with it yourself.

Diabetes in dogs can be treated and held in check if diagnosed early and proper medications are given. So ensure that you have your dog checked at regular intervals to keep him healthy and fit.