Dog/Canine Diabetes

Author: Matthew Seigneur

What is canine diabetes?

Canine diabetes is a condition where there is a deficiency of the hormone insulin or maybe insensitivity to it. Inside the islet cells of the pancreas insulin is produced.

Insulin is usually responsible for controlling the body’s main fuel, glucose. Insulin does this by preventing the glucose production in the liver and it also ensures that glucose that is taken in from food that is in excess is put into body stores.

In a dog that has canine diabetes, they do not have enough insulin to turn off the glucose production by the liver or to store it efficiently.

What this means is that the glucose rises and will exceed a level in which the kidneys let the glucose into the urine. This will cause the need to urinate more frequently. What are the signs of canine diabetes?

Excessive urination is one of the first signs you will notice, with also the intake of more water. Dog with canine diabetes also tend to lose weight because they breakdown stores of fat and protein in order to make glucose and ketones in the liver.

Other signs may include cataracts, increased appetite, decrease in activity, and recurring infections.

How do you treat canine diabetes?

Insulin is the best treatment for canine diabetes. It has to be given by injection because it is a protein and would be digested if given in a tablet.

With careful treatment of mixing the insulin you will be able to treat your dog with care. Your vet will be able to prescribe the correct type of insulin and help you know exactly how to mix and how to administer the insulin.

How do I keep my dog’s diabetes stabilized?

Your vet will help with getting the correct dosage of insulin. Every dog is different as every human is different, so please always check with your vet before changing the amount of insulin for your dog.

Make sure you keep your dogs diet constant each and every day; this will help in keeping canine diabetes under control. It is best to use commercially produced special diet formulas for dogs with canine diabetes.

As long as you keep your dog on his proper diet and give him his insulin as prescribed by your vet, your dog will be able to live a long and happy life.

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