Faqs About Diabetes In Dogs
Diabetes is not just a disease that impacts human. Dogs can also suffer from it and develop complications if their blood sugar levels are not properly monitored. If you believe that your dog has diabetes, here is what you need to know.
What Are the Symptoms of Diabetes?
Although there are several symptoms that your dog might experience, there are four that are most common among dogs with diabetes. If your dog has increased thirst, appetite changes, weight loss, and increased urination, it is possible that it has diabetes.
The cause of diabetes in dogs is not known, but there is a possibility that genetics is a risk factor. Your dog might also be at risk of developing diabetes as it ages.
What Can You Do?
Diabetes is incurable in dogs, so your focus needs to be on managing the condition. Without proper management, your dog's blood sugar levels could spike and lead to complications, such as kidney infection, obesity, and cataracts.
A major part of taking care of your dog's condition is monitoring its blood sugar levels and its overall health. You will need to regularly test your dog's blood sugar levels and keep a log of the test results. If there is a change in the results, the log can help your vet pinpoint potential issues easier.
Diabetes usually requires daily insulin injections to help regulate your dog's blood sugar levels. Due to variations in manufactured insulin, your vet will determine which type is best for your dog. Some insulin products tend to work faster, while others might take longer to have an impact on your dog's condition.
One of the most important parts of caring for your dog is knowing how to spot signs that it is in need of emergency medical care. When your dog's blood sugar levels are uncontrolled, you will notice the same four symptoms that signaled there was a problem in the beginning.
In addition to those symptoms, your dog might also experience vomiting, weakness, sweaty paws, and seizures. If your dog has any of these symptoms, contact an animal hospital immediately. Failing to take action could result in a complication, including the possibility of your dog slipping into a diabetic coma.
Regulating your dog's blood sugar levels and monitoring its overall health can sometimes be challenging with a diabetes diagnosis, but it is not impossible. Work with your vet to ensure your dog gets the best care possible.