How do you know if your dog has diabetes? This is a question asked by many pet owners who are faced with the sad fact that their beloved four legged friend has become diabetic. Diabetes in dogs is a very serious condition and should not be taken lightly.
There are a number of symptoms to watch for that can indicate the onset of diabetes in dogs. These include but are not limited to, an altered appetite, excessive thirst, urination, and in some cases, even blood in the urine. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take your dog to the vet for a health check as soon as possible.
For years, it was thought that obesity was the biggest cause of diabetes in dogs. Today though, there is strong evidence that this isn’t the case. Obesity does play a large part though, as does over-exercising. Excessive exercise can also play a role though as well as other things such as birth control pills and cancer drugs.
One thing you can do to help prevent dog disease is to make sure that your dog gets regular exercise. A lot of overweight dogs have been known to live long and healthy lives thanks to their regular walks. So the chances of diabetes in dogs is greatly reduced if you fit it into your dog’s schedule. Also, a dog with diabetes needs lots of rest and at least an hour per day of exercise on a daily basis.
How much exercise should you give your dog? That really depends on your dog’s size and activity level. Smaller dogs that don’t get much exercise tend to be more inactive than larger ones, so they need to get more exercise. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that a twenty minute walk is enough. Because a dog with diabetes will need much more exercise to be active and stay fit.
You should also keep an eye on your dog’s diet. Since diabetes in dogs can be caused by eating too many carbohydrates, increasing your dog’s carbohydrate intake is one of the ways of how do you know if your dog has diabetes. Carbohydrates are converted into sugar in the liver. To prevent your dog from developing diabetes, don’t feed him foods high in sugar.
If you are still wondering how do you know if your dog has diabetes, you might want to ask your veterinarian about blood tests. The blood test will determine whether or not your dog has Type 2 diabetes. In this disease, the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to move glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body. This means that your dog’s blood glucose level doesn’t balance out. There are some classic diabetes symptoms such as excessive urination, excessive thirst, and in some cases, coma and death in extreme cases.
Knowing how do you know if your dog has diabetes is important. Diabetes can be a dangerous disease, so it’s always best to be vigilant. To make sure that your dog doesn’t have this disease, you need to be constantly watching for changes in your dog’s behavior and to make sure that he eats properly and gets exercise. If you notice any signs of this disease in your dog, speak with your veterinarian right away.
Diabetes in dogs can be very subtle. Sometimes the symptoms can be mistaken as other health issues. It’s important to take your dog to the vet regularly to get the proper diagnosis for diabetes. Keep an eye on your dog’s weight. Excessive weight gain or loss, diabetes, and dehydration are common diabetes symptoms. Know your dog’s typical behavior and look for any unusual changes, especially during the night.
Watch out for any of these diabetes symptoms in your dog: howling when active, decreased appetite, urinating more than usual, blood in urine, lethargy and inattention, depression, lack of coordination, and swelling of feet or legs. Also look for signs of diabetes in your dog: eye problems, difficulty breathing, coughing, pawing at the floor, and circling his eyes. If any of these symptoms are present, you should take your dog to the vet immediately for a health check-up. Your vet will usually perform a fasting lipid profile, which includes fasting plasma (the major component of your dog’s blood), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level, blood chemistry panel, urinalysis, and complete blood count. Once your dog’s health has been assessed, a treatment plan can be formulated.
The effects of diabetes in dogs can range from mild to serious. Because dogs have a much smaller body mass compared to humans, their metabolisms are also different. It’s possible that even if your dog has diabetes, he may not display all the typical symptoms. Because there are no symptoms to be aware of, it is important that you monitor your dog’s condition constantly. Be alert to your dog’s activities and mood. Knowing how do you know if your dog has diabetes will not only help you treat him if he becomes ill, but will also help you understand him better so you can better care for him.