How To Treat Diabetes In Dogs?

Caring for diabetic pets – Dogs and cats with diabetes usually require lifelong treatment with special diets, a good fitness regimen and, particularly in dogs, daily insulin injections. The key to managing diabetic pets is to keep your pet’s blood sugar near normal levels and avoid too-high or too-low levels that can be life-threatening.

A high-fiber diet is often recommended. Daily exercise is strongly recommended. Consult your veterinarian about an appropriate exercise program for your pet, considering factors such as weight, overall health and age. Owners should consider spaying female dogs diagnosed with diabetes.

Cats

A high-protein, low carbohydrate diet is often recommended. Daily exercise is strongly recommended, although it can be challenging to practice a daily fitness regimen with cats. Your veterinarian may be able to help you develop a plan.

It is very important to maintain the proper insulin and feeding schedules recommended for your pet. It is also very important that your pet maintains a normal appetite while on insulin therapy, or you risk hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if your pet is not eating and absorbing enough sugars to balance the insulin’s effect of removing the sugars from the bloodstream.

You will also need to regularly check your pet’s blood and urine sugar levels. Regular examinations and testing performed by your veterinarian may be supplemented by at-home monitoring of your pet’s blood and urine glucose levels at home. Watch for the signs of an insulin overdose, which can include weakness, tremors or seizures, and loss of appetite.

Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic immediately if you observe any of these signs, and consult your veterinarian about what you should do in the meantime to help your pet until it can be examined by a veterinarian. As signs of an insulin overdose can sometimes be very similar to signs of an insulin underdose, it is important that changes in dosage and frequency of insulin injections only be made by a veterinarian.

Because older dogs and cats are more likely to develop age-related diseases or conditions, some of which could be confused with diabetes, regular examinations by a veterinarian can keep your pet healthy and detect problems before they become severe. If you have any questions about your pet’s health or management, contact your veterinarian.

In addition, diabetic pets should be monitored for long-term complications such as cataracts, which commonly develop in diabetic dogs and cats. Other problems that can occur include hind leg weakness due to low blood potassium (hypokalemia), high blood pressure (hypertension), or lower urinary tract infections.

How long do dogs live after diagnosed with diabetes?

Average lifespan of dog with diabetes – Many dogs who show symptoms of diabetes and are diagnosed with it do not actually die from diabetes if given the proper treatment. In fact, if your dog lives past the first 3 to 4 months of being diagnosed and is not left untreated, both you and your furry friend can still spend lots of time together.

The median survival for dogs with diabetes is two years, and there are many who live much longer than that, provided that they receive proper treatment and are regularly assessed by the vet. Thus, dogs with diabetes generally live a full, happy life that is free of symptoms when given the proper treatment.

However, without treatment or insulin therapy, dogs who are suffering from diabetes mellitus are at high risk of developing complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis which can cause multi organ failure. Many dogs who pass away due to diabetes often do so because they were diagnosed late and/or before the disease could be regulated.

How can I treat my dogs diabetes at home?

Naturally Lower Blood Sugar & Support Diabetes in Dogs & Cats – It is always best to work with your own veterinarian along with a holistically trained veterinarian in determining the best approach to help support your companion. Diabetes is a complicated disease and is different in every animal.

1. Regular testing is essential in determining what works best for your companion.
2. The following are the possible components of a holistically oriented approach to help support your pet with diabetes.
3. These will often be combined with some level of insulin support, which should be discussed with your veterinarian.

Diet is a very important consideration for a diabetic animal. A diet low in fat is typically recommended, but a diet too low in fat may also create health risks of its own. Of utmost importance for Type II diabetes is weight control. SLOWLY reducing your cat’s weight to an appropriate level is a good way to support your pet.

For cats, I frequently recommend a diet high in very good quality protein and low in carbohydrates. For dogs with Type I diabetes, a diet high in fiber and complex carbohydrates is recommended to help support proper digestion and blood sugar levels. In most cases, for both dogs and cats, a raw diet is best, or at least home-cooked.

With the growing variety of commercially available raw diets, this part of the diet approach can become less time-consuming. Only Natural Pet offers a wide variety of raw food diets, Freeze-dried and dehydrated diets are also good options when raw is not practical, (with added fiber for dogs with Type I diabetes).

• Canned foods should be high in protein with little or no grain.
• I like Nature’s Variety, as their formulas do not contain grains, as well as some varieties of the “I and love and you” Canned Food to supplement the diet (we also have a wide selection of other grain free foods ).
• For dogs, fiber can be added to the diet by including some lightly steamed or ground vegetables in the diet.

Complex carbohydrates are acceptable for dogs (whole grains, not grain by-products). It is important to feed at least 2 times and preferably even 3 times per day to decrease meal size and spread out the food intake, as this will help support blood sugar levels within normal ranges.

Freeze-dried treats may also be good choices for most diabetic animals. The treats are all meat and can be broken into small bite size pieces. Dietary Supplements & Herbs Supplements may help to support the animal’s immune system, which is important since some diabetic animals may have a weakened immune system.

A good quality multivitamin and mineral supplement can provide nutrients for a healthy body. Added antioxidants, such as Vetri-Science Cell Advance, are also helpful to support normal bodily functions. Many animals can also benefit from additional vitamins, like Vitamin E.

• Essential Fatty Acids, specifically Omega 3 fatty acids and GLA may promote proper glucose metabolisim and normal cardiovascular function.
• While the diet should be lower in dietary fat overall, the supplementation of Essential Fatty Acids may be beneficial.
• Homeopathy may also be a useful approach for animals with diavetes, but should be guided by a veterinarian trained in homeopathy.

You can locate one through the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy, Acupuncture can also be an excellent supportive approach for diabetic animals. You can find a local practitioner through the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture, Diabetes is a disease that must be managed for the life of your companion, but it does not necessarily need to decrease the quality of life if managed properly.

• Many animals with diabetes live long, happy lives when their guardians are willing to put the time and effort into developing a comprehensive support plan.
• Information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure your pet and is not a substitute for veterinary care provided by a licensed veterinarian.

For any medical or health-related advice concerning the care and treatment of your pet, contact your veterinarian.

What is the best treatment for dog with diabetes?

What do I need to know about insulin treatment for diabetes mellitus? – In diabetic dogs, the main treatment for regulating blood glucose is giving insulin by injection. Dogs with diabetes mellitus typically require two daily insulin injections as well as a dietary change.

Although a dog can go a day or so without insulin and not have a crisis, this should not be a regular occurrence; treatment should be looked upon as part of the dog’s daily routine. This means that you, as the dog’s owner, must make both a financial commitment and a personal commitment to treat your dog.

If you are out of town or go on vacation, your dog must receive proper treatment in your absence. Initially, your dog may be hospitalized for a few days to deal with any immediate crisis and to begin the insulin regulation process. For instance, if your dog is so sick that he has stopped eating and drinking for several days, he may be experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis, which may require several days of intensive care.

• Once your dog is home, you will continue to administer insulin as prescribed.
• With the availability of a reliable home monitoring unit such as the AlphaTrak®2, blood sugar (glucose) levels can be tracked easily.
• Your veterinary healthcare team will teach you how to take the tiny blood sample needed to check your dog’s glucose levels.

Because the glucose readings are taken at home in your dog’s natural environment, stress levels are low and the readings are more generally more accurate. At first, regular glucose readings will be required in order to monitor progress. It may take a month or more to achieve good insulin regulation.

Your veterinarian will work with you to try to achieve consistent regulation, but some dogs are difficult to keep regulated. There is a newer glucose monitoring system (FreeStyle Libre) that can measure glucose continuously over several days. Talk to your veterinarian to see if this is right for your dog.

Consistent treatment is a vital component of the proper management of the diabetic dog. Your dog needs consistent administration of insulin, consistent feeding, and a stable, stress-free lifestyle. Your dog should live indoors to minimize uncontrollable variables that can disrupt regulation.

The most commonly used insulins are Vetsulin®, Caninsulin®, Humulin®N, and Detemir (brand name Levemir®). Your veterinarian will determine the best insulin for your dog. Many people are fearful of inflicting pain or harm by giving insulin injections. This fear is unfounded since the disposable injection needles are extremely sharp and cause minimal pain, the insulin does not sting on injection, and the injections are given under the skin in areas where it is impossible to damage internal structures.

Some insulins (Vetsulin®) are available in ‘pen’ form and may be easier to administer. Once you are coached on how to give them, you may be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is and how well your dog tolerates the injections.

Can you reverse diabetes in dogs?

Diagnosing and Treating Diabetes in Pets Courage, a 10-year-old Dachshund with a graying muzzle, is usually fast on her feet—active and frisky despite her age. But soon after Thanksgiving, her family—siblings Michael and Donna and their parents—noticed Courage, or “Curry” for short, was drinking more water than usual, urinating more often and moping around the house.

• Two days later, at the (AAH), Curry was diagnosed as diabetic.
• Curry’s symptoms are common among pets with diabetes, a disease that occurs when a body does not make enough or respond normally to insulin, a hormone manufactured by the pancreas that controls blood sugar levels.
• The precise frequency of diabetes in dogs and cats is not known and can vary depending on the breed, but it is seen in both species.

In dogs, diabetes is more common in females; in cats, it’s slightly more common in males. “Most diabetic dogs are similar to humans with Type 1 diabetes; their pancreas is unable to make enough insulin,” explains Dr. Louise Murray, vice president of AAH.

In dogs, the most common causes are a dysfunctional immune system that damages the pancreas, or pancreatic injury that occurs due to an inflammatory condition called pancreatitis.” Dr. Murray says canine diabetes can also occur as a side effect of medication, particularly steroids. It can also result from certain diseases like Cushing’s or an excess of certain hormones, which sometimes happens when a dog is not spayed.

Diabetes in felines, on the other hand, is more similar to Type 2 diabetes in humans. Its most common causes in cats: obesity and an excess of carbohydrates in the diet, which exhaust the pancreas. It can also occur in cats with pancreatitis or who are given steroids.

Feline diabetes can be reversible with insulin administration, a high protein/low-carb diet and maintenance of a healthy weight, allowing the pancreas to rest and regain the ability to manufacture adequate insulin. But diabetes will recur if cats go back to an inappropriate diet. Unfortunately diabetes is not curable in dogs, and the vast majority of diabetic dogs require insulin injections for life once diagnosed.

However, addressing underlying causes, as well as spaying females and treating Cushing’s disease, can allow the diabetes to be more easily and successfully controlled. “Diabetic pets can have a wonderful quality of life if their owners commit to giving them twice-daily insulin injections and monitor them closely,” says Dr.

Jill Pomrantz, an internist at AAH. After her diagnosis, Curry began receiving treatment is back to being her bubbly, high-spirited self. Donna, who has had experience with diabetic pets, administers Curry’s twice-daily insulin shots and monitors her glucose levels. “I know this process is not fixed overnight, but she looks much better and is more energetic,” Donna says.

“The hardest part is not caving in to her pleas for treats all the time.” Curry loves celery, however, so that’s often provided as a substitute. Please visit our Pet Care section to learn more about diabetes in and, : Diagnosing and Treating Diabetes in Pets

Why did my dog suddenly get diabetes?

What Can Make a Dog at Risk for Diabetes? –

Age, While diabetes can occur at any age, it mostly occurs in middle-aged to senior dogs. Most dogs who develop it are age 5 or older when diagnosed. Sex, Unspayed female dogs are twice as likely as male dogs to have diabetes. Chronic or repeated pancreatitis, Chronic or repeated pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) can eventually cause extensive damage to that organ, resulting in diabetes. Obesity, Obesity contributes to insulin resistance and is a risk factor for pancreatitis, which can lead to diabetes. Steroid medications, These can cause diabetes when used long-term. Cushing’s disease, With Cushing’s disease, the body overproduces steroids internally, so this condition also can cause diabetes. Other health conditions, Some autoimmune disorders and viral diseases are also thought to possibly trigger diabetes. Genetics, Diabetes can occur in any breed or mixed-breed, and it seems genetics can play a role in either increased or reduced risk. A 2003 study found that overall, mixed-breeds are no less prone to diabetes than are purebreds. Among purebreds, breeds vary in susceptibility, some with very low risk and others with higher risk. Some that may be at higher risk include miniature Poodles, Bichons Frises, Pugs, Dachshunds, Miniature Schnauzers, Puli, Samoyeds, Keeshonds, Australian Terriers, Fox Terriers, Cairn Terriers, and Beagles.

What foods should a diabetic dog avoid?

There is no ‘one-diet-fits-all’ approach to diabetes: body condition, pet preferences, and other diseases or medical conditions will guide the best diet for a dog with diabetes. Though there are some differing approaches for optimal nutrition in dogs with diabetes, the one strategy that is most agreed upon is to keep the diet consistent – use the same food, same treats, and feed and give insulin at the same time every day ! What kind of diabetes do dogs get? You may be familiar with ‘Type 1′ and ‘Type 2′ diabetes in humans.

Type 2 is much more common in people and is associated with obesity (this is also the kind of diabetes that cats usually get) and the body becoming resistant to the effects of insulin. Dogs are more commonly diagnosed with something similar to ‘Type 1′ Diabetes, or what we might call ‘insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus’ (IDDM).

Animals with Type 1 can no longer make insulin, often due to an auto-immune condition. Diet can play an important role in the management of both types of diabetes, but it should be used along with medical management and diet will never replace the need for insulin or other medications in diabetes for dogs or cats.

• What nutrients are important for diabetic dogs? Before selecting a ‘diabetic diet,’ we need to consider which nutrients are most important for your specific dog and use this to guide the optimal nutrient profile.
• The main nutrients to consider for diabetic dogs include water, calories, carbohydrates, and fiber.

Many dogs with diabetes have increased thirst and increased urination, so fresh, clean water should be available at all times. The ideal number of calories per cup or can of food will depend on your dog’s body condition and whether she needs to gain or lose weight to obtain ideal body condition.

• If your dog has another disease such as heart disease or pancreatitis or has high levels of fat in his or her blood, other nutrients such as sodium or fat will also be important to consider.
• Some studies have shown benefits of increased dietary fiber for dogs with diabetes as well.
• How does fiber help? Fiber can be useful in canine diabetes, however, there are various types of fiber which can have different properties and benefits.

The different types of fiber can be defined in a few ways, though dividing fibers into soluble (able to dissolve in water) and insoluble (bulking fibers) are good ways to categorize fiber. (For more information on the details of fiber, see our previous article here ).

Insoluble fibers, such as cellulose, add bulk and can slow digestion and absorption of dietary carbohydrate, which can be a benefit to sugar regulation for diabetic dogs. While the term ‘high fiber diets’ can be confusing, a rough estimate to the amount of insoluble fiber in a food is the crude fiber content.

Of note, the percentage of fiber on pet food labels is ‘guaranteed analyses’ and thus only a maximum and cannot be compared between diets of different moisture or calorie content. In addition, the crude fiber only measures insoluble fiber so it will not include any soluble fiber in the diet.

For more information on comparing fiber contents of diets, see our previous article with a built-in calculator, What about carbs? Though it would seem logical to reduce dietary carbohydrate in dogs with diabetes for better blood sugar control, clinical studies have shown carbohydrate content in diets is not as helpful as fiber content for dogs A diet is more than just the food you’re feeding! Not only do we need to make sure we pick a diet with the right combination of nutrients, but we need to feed it consistently! Consistency of diet is an even more important aspect of diabetes management for most dogs than individual nutrient levels.

Feeding the same food at the same times each day (and picking just one or two treats and giving them consistently at the same time!) will help the dog’s body to better regulate blood sugar. Along with consistency and treats comes feeding an appropriate amount.

• Even the best diet, if we feed too much or too little, can make it harder to control the signs of the diabetes.
• Dogs with diabetes can be underweight, overweight, or even ideal weight, so focusing on achieving or maintaining ideal body weight can help you pick the right diet for your dog (along with your veterinarian’s guidance).

Higher calorie diets will be best for underweight dogs while lower calorie diets important for overweight dogs. Some lower calorie diets are also higher in fiber. This is an example where there is no ‘one size fits all’ diet for diabetes in dogs: in the instance of an underweight dog, a high fiber, low-calorie food would be harmful if that dog cannot eat enough of the food to meet his calorie needs to maintain an ideal weight! Will weight loss help my overweight diabetic dog? While being overweight isn’t a risk factor for the development of diabetes in dogs, it can contribute to difficulty controlling diabetes once it develops.

1. Excess body fat can cause insulin resistance, meaning that the same amount of insulin has less of an effect.
2. All overweight diabetic pets should be encouraged to slowly lose weight once initial diabetic control is reached.
3. It is VERY important that your veterinarian monitor your dog closely during weight loss as his diabetic control will likely change and adjustments in his insulin may be needed to avoid overdoses.

Do I need a therapeutic or ‘vet’ diet? There are diets that you can obtain from your veterinarian or with your veterinarian’s approval that are designed specifically for the management of diabetic dogs. However, these diets are not ideal or necessary for every diabetic dog.

1. High insoluble fiber nutrient profiles can also be found in some over-the-counter foods.
2. One advantage of therapeutic diets is that they may have better consistency due to more strict processing protocols compared to over-the-counter diets, which may have more batch to batch variability.
3. It is also generally easier to obtain specific nutrient information from the manufacturer.

You and your veterinarian may decide to stick with your pet’s regular diet initially but switch to a therapeutic diet if you are having trouble with diabetic control after starting insulin. Regardless of the diet you pick, you should always beware of substituting flavors, textures, or even dry and canned versions of the same food.

• Each product may have a different effect on your dog’s diabetic control and you should talk with your vet before switching and monitor their diabetes carefully during and after a switch.
• Anything I should avoid? Because we want consistency in the diet, home-cooking is not recommended because of batch to batch variability as well as the lack of testing to determine how various nutrients interact with each other (e.g.

fiber) and are absorbed and utilized by the dog. Veterinary therapeutic diets from companies with strong nutritional expertise are typically tested for digestibility. Also, semi-moist dog foods should be avoided because they contain sucrose, fructose, and other simple carbohydrates that can result in higher blood sugar levels, so watch for ingredient lists that include ‘sugar,’ ‘corn syrup,’ or ‘honey’ on the label if your dog has diabetes.

Make sure you keep a diet journal and tell your vet everything your dog gets, including treats, chews, table scraps, and food used for medication administration. An example diet history of what to write down can be found online at the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Nutrition Toolkit,

When considering higher insoluble fiber diets, the increased fecal bulk will result in more frequent trips to go to the bathroom. This may mean you need to schedule more walks during the day to avoid accidents. Dog diets specifically designed to be higher in fiber are a better source of fiber in most cases than just adding fiber to a regular diet as they can be formulated to still provide all the right nutrients to dogs (added fiber may make it harder to absorb all the nutrients from the diet). Canned pumpkin is popular with clients as a fiber supplement, but the amount needed to see an effect may unbalance the total diet (meaning the pumpkin would provide significantly more than 10% of the dog’s total calories).

Avoid fiber supplements containing added flavors or sweeteners such as xylitol, which can be harmful to dogs.

How does a dog act when blood sugar is high?

Increased thirst (polydipsia) Increased urination (polyuria) Depression. Weight loss.

Can you treat dog diabetes naturally?

An increasing number of dog and cat owners are seeking out herbal remedies to treat diabetes in pets and discovering incredibly promising results. Diabetes in domestic cats and dogs has gradually become a real and widespread problem throughout American homes.

A lack of exercise associated with domesticity, and an abundance of non-nutritious food options, have contributed to the issue, making a healthy lifestyle that focuses on diet and exercise vital to successful treatment and prevention. Many modern veterinarians prescribe herbal remedies to treat diabetes in pets.

Such treatments help to promote nutrient and pharmaceutical absorption, while the appropriate use of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to support the immune and digestive systems. Likewise, many natural herbs and supplements can effectively help to:

Lower blood glucose levels Decrease inflammation that promotes diabetes Reverse insulin resistance while prompting natural insulin production in the body Eliminate the need for unpleasant injections Produce results with no significant side effects

Some of the most common herbal remedies for treating diabetes in pets include:

Fenugreek: This common cooking herb and spice hails from India and is commonly eaten in the same manner as sunflower seeds. It has been shown to be effective in diabetes by decreasing the rate of sugar absorption into the blood. Bitter melon: A product of Africa and Asia, bitter melon is a mineral and fiber-rich vegetable that in addition to having antiviral and anti-cancer properties, improves insulin production and helps to regulate blood sugar levels. Cornsilk: The style of Zea mays (cornsilk) has been used extensively in Chinese medicine to reduce blood glucose levels, while also preventing kidney damage due to diabetic nephropathy. Gymnema: Enter the “sugar destroyer,” as it’s known in Ayurvedic medicine for its leaves’ flavor-slaying properties which dull the taste of sugar, specifically. Acids in gymnema prevent glucose levels from spiking after a meal by lowering glucose levels, and clinical studies suggest it may be an effective herbal treatment for treating diabetes in pets, reducing blood sugar levels over time. It also increases natural insulin production from the pancreas.

It is relevant to think of diabetes mellitus as an inflammatory disease. There are many factors that are involved in promoting and perpetuating inflammation in the body. Suffice it to say, that chronic inflammation is a common thread in much medical ailments in modern times.

As such, the inflammatory state of the body serves as a risk factor for diabetes by disrupting the normal insulin secreting function of the pancreas, as well as interfering with insulin directly. With the above in mind, treating inflammation is another component of treating diabetes. Many herbal treatments have significant anti-inflammatory activity.

A good example of this approach is turmeric, which can improve success in managing diabetes by diminishing the inflammatory state of the body. Many Chinese herbal formulas also address inflammation, and may also be used to treat diabetes. The strength of Chinese medicine is to recognize the individuality of the patient and an herbal formula is chosen in accord with the patient’s strengths and weaknesses, rather than chosen for a particular medical diagnosis.

Managed properly, diabetes does not have to be debilitating for your dog or cat. Time, effort, and diligent lifestyle changes involving diet and exercise can help our diabetic pets to have healthy and happy lives. Be sure to consult with your pet’s veterinarian before adding any new supplements into your pet’s diet.

Doylestown Veterinary Hospital offers a highly individualized approach to wellness with more effective treatment and improved outcomes. Call 267-609-9363 to schedule an appointment.

Can I manage my dogs diabetes without insulin?

Food can reduce blood sugar, which reduces insulin resistance, and ultimately decreases your dog’s need for insulin. In addition to reducing blood sugar levels and improving insulin sensitivity, food can also help control diabetes—and even manage its side effects.

Is Chicken OK for diabetic dogs?

Is Chicken OK for Diabetic Dogs? – Yes, chicken is fine for most dogs with diabetes. Just remember that you should not season the chicken or use butter or oil when making it for your dog. Instead, boil it without seasoning. Follow that same advice when adding chicken to any dog’s food, even if they do not have diabetes.

What happens if a dog is not treated for diabetes?

Severe Symptoms of Untreated Advanced Diabetes – If a dog’s diabetes remains untreated, or if the disease proves difficult to manage, the following severe symptoms will likely develop:

Cataracts resulting in blindness Urinary tract infections – UTIs Kidney failure Enlarged liver (liver disease) Hypoglycemia

What happens if a dog isn’t treated for diabetes?

How is diabetes in dogs treated? – If your dog is diagnosed with diabetes your vet will prescribe medications and ongoing treatments that will allow you to manage your dog’s condition. Ongoing treatment for the disease typically involves:

Daily insulin shots Regular daily exercise to help avoid spikes or sudden drops in glucose levels A special, vet-recommended diet Close monitoring of your dog for changes in symptoms and overall health Regular veterinary examinations

Left untreated, diabetes in dogs can lead to serious and life-threatening side effects such as blindness, enlarged liver, urinary tract infections, seizures, kidney failure and ketoacidosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for successful treatment outcomes.

How many times a day can you feed a diabetic dog?

Timing – A diabetic dog needs correctly timed meals, instead of free will feeding. Meals 10-12 hours apart work best for most dogs.

What dog breeds get diabetes?

Dog Breeds That Are Prone to Diabetes – Even dogs from a breeder may develop diabetes. In fact, some breeds are more likely to develop this condition and require the proper care and attention from their owners. Breeds that have a higher risk of diabetes include:

Cocker SpanielsGolden RetrieversLabrador RetrieversPomeraniansTerriersToy PoodlesMiniature SchnauzersKeeshondsSamoyeds

Of course, while these breeds may be more likely to develop diabetes, any dog, including mixes, may develop the condition. Furthermore, a dog’s breed does not guarantee it will develop diabetes.

Is diabetes in dogs fatal?

Symptoms of Diabetes in Dogs – Signs of diabetes most commonly seen include:

• Increased thirst (polydipsia)
• Increased urination (polyuria)
• Increased appetite (polyphagia)
• Weight loss
• Lethargy
• Dehydration
• Cataracts

Other common diseases and illnesses, such as urinary tract infections, Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism and pancreatitis often cause complications in diabetic dogs. Diabetic dogs may also show additional symptoms based on underlying disorders. Long-term effects of diabetes, if unregulated or untreated, are severe and eventually fatal.

• Seizures can occur if the blood sugar gets too low. Regulating glucose is central to treating diabetes but over-medication can lead to low blood sugar and seizures. Untreated, they can be fatal. It is crucial to get your dog to a veterinarian immediately. Your vet may recommend rubbing Karo syrup (or similar sugary substances) in the gums to relieve the low blood sugar before bringing your dog in for an examination. Pet parents should only use Karo syrup, or other products, under the direction of a veterinarian when it is safe to do so.
• Hepatopathy, or liver disease, can occur as a side effect of diabetes. Fat metabolism goes awry, leading to abnormally high levels of fatty acids in the liver. This leads to fat accumulation within liver cells which causes damage and swelling.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) results from chronic starvation of the body’s cells. The body turns to alternate sources for fuel, including protein and fat tissues. The body initially uses a new energy product called ketones. However, when ketones accumulate, they cause metabolic acidosis, effectively acidifying the blood. These dogs are typically very sick, requiring intensive nursing care and treatment, often at a 24/7 specialty hospital.
• Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Syndrome (HHS) is a serious complication of diabetes involving extremely high blood glucose and osmolality. Osmolality refers to the number of dissolved particles in the bloodstream. These dogs are typically very sick, requiring intensive nursing care and treatment, often at a 24/7 specialty hospital.
• Diabetic neuropathy is uncommon, but it can occur when chronic diabetes damages the nervous system. These pets typically have an abnormal, uncoordinated gait with partial paralysis of the hind legs.
• Diabetic cataracts are formed due to the high levels of blood glucose within the eye’s lens. Glucose is needed to fuel and provide energy for the eye cells, but quickly becomes trapped within the lens, causing cataract to form.

How does a dog feel with diabetes?

10 Symptoms of Diabetes in Dogs 10 Common Canine Diabetes Symptoms

Reviewed for accuracy on August 26, 2019, by Dr. Katie Grzyb, DVM can affect dogs of any age, but early detection is the most important step in ensuring that your dog continues living a happy, healthy life.Annual wellness visits are essential for early disease detection, but if you know the, you can recognize the problem between checkups and bring it to your veterinarian’s attention.

Keep in mind that the symptoms of diabetes in dogs can overlap with other diseases. For example, kidney and liver disease are linked to increased urination and thirst, while hyperthyroidism and some cancers can cause increased hunger. When in doubt, take your dog to her veterinarian for a full evaluation to rule out diabetes or other conditions. 1. Your Dog Is Peeing More Frequently You might start to see puddles on the floor or notice that your dog is nudging you to get out of the house more to pee. Increased urination, which veterinarians refer to as polyuria, is one of the most common reasons that pet parents bring their dogs in for evaluation, says, DVM, DACVIM, from BluePearl Pet Hospital in Southfield, Michigan. 2. Your Dog Is Drinking More Water Than Usual Excessive thirst (polydipsia), is linked to increased urination, but not in the way that you might think. “Oftentimes owners will think they are urinating more because they’re drinking more, but it’s actually the other way around,” says Dr. 3. Your Dog Has a Ravenous Appetite A diabetic dog may develop an (polyphagia), a symptom that veterinarians attribute to an imbalance of insulin, a hormone created by the pancreas to help control blood sugar. “Because of the lack of insulin, they’re hungry all the time. 4. Your Dog Is Losing Weight Despite Eating Normally Many conditions can cause, including cancer, gastrointestinal disease, liver disease and kidney disease, says Dr. Romine. When that weight loss—which can start gradually or suddenly—is coupled with a normal appetite, it can be a sign of diabetes.

With insulin not working to get glucose into the brain, heart and other essential organs for energy, the body will start to break down muscle and fat to use those proteins and fat instead, leading to weight loss,” explains Dr. Romine.5. Your Dog’s Eyes Look Cloudy Up to 80% of dogs with diabetes mellitus will eventually develop some degree of, says Dr.

Romine. Cataracts are one of the most common long-term complications seen in dogs with diabetes. In a healthy dog, the lens absorbs glucose from the eye fluid and converts the excess into sorbitol, she says. “When there is a large amount of glucose, a large amount of sorbitol is produced.

• Sorbitol has a strong pull on water, so water enters the lens and causes distortion of the fibers, blocking light from passing through.” This can cause your dog’s eyes to appear to be cloudy.6.
• Your Dog’s Vision Is Getting Worse As a result of cataract formation, diabetic dogs are at an increased risk for blindness.

A cataract that completely prevents light from reaching the retina on the back of the eye causes vision loss, says Dr. Romine. “The good news is that as long as any secondary inflammation from the cataracts is controlled, most blind dogs do very well because they have excellent senses of smell and hearing and adapt to their environments.” In some cases, blindness can be reversed by surgically removing the abnormal lens.

Blindness (and cataract formation) can occur over a period of weeks to months, or in as little as 24 hours, she says. “It can also happen early or late in the course of diabetes.” 7. Your Dog’s Coat and Skin Appear to Be Lackluster Untreated diabetic dogs will tend to have poor coat and skin quality. “When the body is not getting the nutrition it needs because insulin isn’t working, and a dog is becoming chronically dehydrated from the increased water loss in the urine, their haircoat will often start to lose its luster and thin out, and dogs will start to have dandruff and dry, scaly skin,” says Dr.

Romine. These conditions improve with therapy, says Dr. Romine, because “there is now enough energy and nutrition to put towards healthy fur, and not just maintaining critical organ function.” 8. Your Dog Is Vomiting With No Apparent Cause Vomiting is typically not something that occurs in uncomplicated diabetes cases, says Dr.

1. Behrend. “If diabetes goes untreated, the dog can go into (DKA), where you see vomiting, lethargy and a poor appetite.
2. At this point, it’s an emergency situation that requires hospitalization.” (Other DKA dog diabetes symptoms include panting and weakness.) DKA can occur when the blood sugar is very high and little-to-no insulin is pulling the glucose into the tissues, says Dr.

Romine. “The body will start to produce ketones for energy, but this is not a sustainable pattern; the blood becomes acidic, and the body’s enzymes start to malfunction.” In some cases of DKA, you may notice a distinctive odor to your dog’s breath, similar to the smell of nail polish remover, says Dr.

Behrend. However, the odor is relatively uncommon and not everyone will notice it.9. Your Dog Seems Tired and Has Lost Interest in Activities “Some dogs will be less interactive with their families because they do not have the energy, and will tire faster after playing or going on walks,” says Dr. Romine.

Treating Your Diabetic Dog: PDSA Petwise Pet Health Hub

When sugar is trapped in the bloodstream and can’t enter the tissue, the body is deprived of the glucose required for energy, says Dr. Romine. “In addition, the high blood sugar can cause electrolyte imbalances, including low sodium, low potassium and low phosphorous, making the nerves not fire normally.” 10.

Your Dog Seems Stiff or Weaker Than Usual Your dog may stumble, appear to be stiff or have difficulty lying down. “Dogs with diabetes can develop muscle weakness as a result of the lack of glucose going to their muscles,” says Dr. Romine. Another less common cause is diabetic neuropathy, which can lead to chronic or progressive hindlimb weakness, knuckling, muscle atrophy, and general weakness.

Although not as common, a diabetic dog can develop dropped hocks, a condition in which the rear legs are closer to the ground than where they should be, says Dr. Behrend. “Owners can notice that the dog is standing weirdly or walking weirdly. It’s kind of subtle.” Early Intervention Makes a Difference Learning to spot the signs of dog diabetes and communicating with your veterinarian can help you intervene early on.

Diabetes in dogs is usually a manageable disease, says Dr. Romine, “and most diabetic dogs can do very well once an insulin routine is developed.” It’s important to note that although diabetes in puppies is not as common as it is in older dogs, it can still occur. Always check with your veterinarian if you notice anything unusual, whether your furred family member is an older dog or a puppy.

By: Paula Fitzsimmons : 10 Symptoms of Diabetes in Dogs

Does diabetes in dogs shorten their life?

Abstract – Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in dogs, but prognostic factors are still largely unknown. The aim of this retrospective, single-centre, case series study was to determine overall survival time and identify the prognostic value of several clinical and clinicopathological variables in dogs with newly diagnosed DM.

• Methods: Cases of DM were identified within the electronic medical records of one referral centre.
• Sixty-eight dogs with DM were included.
• Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyse variables associated with survival.
• Results: The median survival time was 964 days (range 22-3140).
• In multivariable model analysis, length of survival was significantly shorter for dogs with higher haematocrit value (hazard ratio (HR) 1.06, 95 per cent confidence interval (CI) 1.00 to 1.13) and higher serum phosphate concentrations (HR 1.83, 95 per cent CI 1.13 to 2.97).

Serum phosphate concentrations were above the reference interval in 24 of 65 (37 per cent) dogs. Conclusion: Diabetic dogs have a good life expectancy. Hyperphosphataemia is a relatively common finding in dogs with newly diagnosed DM and represents a negative prognostic factor.

What are the final stages of diabetes in dogs?

Diabetes Complications in Dogs – If not properly managed, diabetes can cause serious health issues. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is often caused by an overdose of insulin. Low blood sugar levels can cause brain damage and other life-threatening complications, so it’s important to monitor your dog’s blood sugar regularly.

Trembling or shaking Heart palpitationsLoss of coordination or consciousnessActing disoriented or confusedSudden weakness or fatigueNervousness or sudden agitation Seizures

If your diabetic dog is experiencing any of these symptoms, get her to the vet right away as it may be an emergency. Another common complication of dog diabetes is cataracts, which can cause blindness quickly, often before pet owners even realize their dog has diabetes.

In fact, as many as 75 percent of dogs with diabetes develop cataracts, and 75 percent of those dogs will lose vision within a year if left untreated. If your dog’s eyes suddenly appear cloudy or have a blue-ish gray tint over the pupil, contact your vet for diagnosis and treatment options. Finally, a serious complication of diabetes in dogs is diabetic ketoacidosis,

When the body can’t access glucose due to diabetes, it begins to break down fat stores as a way to fuel the body’s cells. However, this creates “ketones,” a poisonous byproduct that can quickly result in serious health complications. In fact, ketoacidosis is sometimes part of the final stages of dog diabetes.

“Advanced stages of diabetes will lead to profound weight loss and specifically muscle mass loss. They can become very weak as well from muscular and neurologic changes. Finally, they will develop the diabetic ketoacidosis complication which will lead to vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and decreased appetite,” Puchot explains.

These symptoms, along with tremors or seizures and abnormal breathing patterns, could be signs your dog with diabetes is dying.

How long does a dog live with diabetes with insulin?

How long can a dog live after being diagnosed with diabetes? Dogs with diabetes can live a happy life without any symptoms of their disease, but it does require effort on your part. If you are able to give your dog insulin, diabetes may not affect life expectancy.

1. If they live past the first three months, they do really well.
2. Excluding dogs that don’t make it through those first few months, the median survival is two years,” Dr.
3. Behrend says.
4. In fact, a lot won’t even die of diabetes.” Many of the dogs who pass away from diabetes do so before it can be regulated.

These dogs also tend to have other diseases that complicate treatment or cause them to be very sick. Learn more at : How long can a dog live after being diagnosed with diabetes?

Is diabetes in dogs fatal?

My dog is diabetic. He has been doing pretty well overall, but recently he became really ill. He stopped eating well, started drinking a lot of water, and got really weak. His veterinarian said that he had a condition called ketoacidosis, and he had to spend several days in the hospital.

1. What is ketoacidosis? – Diabetic ketoacidosis is a medical emergency that occurs when there is not enough insulin in the body to control blood sugar (glucose) levels.
2. Insulin may also be prevented from working normally due to other hormones released as a result of certain diseases.
3. The body cannot use glucose properly without insulin, so blood glucose levels get very high, and the body creates ketone bodies from fat as an emergency fuel source.

While fine in an emergency, if glucose regulation is not restored, ketone levels increase resulting in a shift in the body’s acid/base balance. The body becomes more acidic (acidosis), and it can’t maintain appropriate fluid balance. The electrolyte (mineral) balance becomes disrupted which can lead to abnormal heart rhythms and abnormal muscle function.