A dog's life is not as long as a human friend's. When a dog reaches eight to ten years of age, many mild to severe ailments start to set in. Diabetes mellitus is one of them. Also called sugar diabetes, it is the type of diabetes seen most often in elderly dogs and a metabolism disorder. A problem where the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin, the hormone that helps push sugar into the body, affects both humans and pets. The article delves into this problem and ways to help your dog stay healthy for long.
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Diabetes Occurs In Dogs In Two Forms:
Insulin-deficiency diabetes: When the dog’s body is not able to produce enough insulin, it is called insulin deficiency diabetes. This happens when the pancreas is not functioning properly. The most common type of diabetes in dogs, with this type of diabetes, canines need daily shots to replace the missing insulin.
Insulin-resistance diabetes: This is when the pancreas is producing some insulin, but the boy of the dog is not utilizing the insulin the way it ideally should. The body's cells are not responding to the insulin’s message; thus, glucose is not being pulled out of the blood and into the cells. This type of diabetes can occur in older, and obese dogs.
Signs of diabetes mellitus in dogs include the following:
- Excessive drinking
- Excessive urination
- Lethargy
- Dog obesity
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Weakness
- Poor coat
- Cataracts
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Managing Dog Diabetes In Elderly Dogs
Although diabetes in the pet cannot be cured, it can be managed successfully. As a dog grows old, talking to your veterinarian about the present and possible health issues is important. The doctor may advise a blood test which will help rule out kidney and liver problems as well as diabetes mellitus. The sooner you recognize the clinical signs, it is easy for the dog to get treated with insulin and there will be fewer complications. However, the hard part is that canine diabetes requires twice-a-day insulin along with frequent veterinary visits for the rest of your dog’s life. It can be time-consuming and expensive.
Treatment Of Canine Diabetes Mellitus
Canine diabetes mellitus can shorten the lifespan of your dog if not treated on time, as secondary complications and infections can occur. Therefore, if you notice any such signs happening to your furry buddy, take him or her to a veterinarian as soon as possible. With diabetes, the body is immunosuppressed and more likely to develop diabetic-related complications. One such problem is vision loss as most dogs suffering from diabetes may go blind from cataracts. Even in well-controlled diabetic dogs, excessive sugar can have secondary effects on the eyes as it causes more water to influx into the lens, blurring the vision. As a result, cataract formation occurs, resulting in eventual blindness and secondary inflammation in both eyes. The ailment is not treatable but diabetic-friendly dog food besides proper care of your beloved pet can help him stay healthy and live long.
References:
Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs and Cats
By David Bruyette, DVM, DACVIM, Anivive Lifesciences, Inc.
https://www.msdvetmanual.com/endocrine-system/the-pancreas/diabetes-mellitus-in-dogs-and-cats
https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/diabetes-pets
