Canine diabetes symptoms and proper diet plan

When it comes to our best friend, diabetes in dogs is a disease we seldom consider. Are you aware that your canine most especially if it is a German Shepherd, Bulldog, Poodle or a Golden Retriever can have a diabetic disease? As a dog owner, you should be aware of the canine diabetes symptoms as well as treatments.

Diabetes symptoms in dogs should be made known to dog owners to aid in early detection and prevent complications that can arise when the symptoms are not treated. To save you from worrying, here is a brief guide to diabetic dogs, the symptoms and treatment options.

Major canine diabetes symptoms in dogs

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Let us first tackle the symptoms. There are different forms of diabetic disease, three to be exact. The symptoms that your canine will show depends on the stage of your canine diabetes. It may be in the early or advanced stage.

• Canine diabetes symptoms during the early stage are weight loss that cannot be explained, frequent urination, large amount of water drunk, and increase in appetite. These symptoms are a way of helping your dog’s body adapt to the situation.
• Your dog frequently urinates to eliminate the excess sugar in the blood that was caused by the insufficiency in insulin needed for that sugar to be absorbed and used. Because of that frequent urination, your canine will be dehydrated. that is why it will drink a lot of water. It will eat more to provide energy to his body.
• As for the advanced stage, the common symptoms are vomiting, loss of appetite, dehydration, weakness and lethargy. If these dog diabetes symptoms are not treated, it may create complications such as enlarged livers or neurological problems. Diabetic disease affects all the body parts of your pet. Your diabetic dog may have cataracts, too.

Diet for diabetic dogs

Diabetes in dogs treatment will include a controlled diet to supply enough sugar for your dog’s body. An insulin injection is also essential as part of treatment. This will supply the insulin needed by your dog’s body to help it absorb sugar for metabolism. Your veterinarian will teach you how to prepare the insulin and how to properly inject it into your canine.

You may also be asked to monitor your dog’s glucose or sugar level in its urine using a test strip. This test strip is a little piece of paper that will tell how high or low the glucose level in your canine’s urine is.

If worried that your pet may have diabetes, observe your dog if these symptoms can be seen. If canine diabetes symptoms are seen, consult your veterinarian because other conditions have the same symptoms such as frequent urination. If your pet has diabetic, it can still live a long life just be sure that you give your canine the treatments needed.

Learn to monitor your canine on your own and work closely with your dog’s veterinarian. Dogs with diabetes will often start acting more lethargic as a sign that something is wrong. Always keep a close eye on your best friend’s health.