Why Do Dogs 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.

How expensive is it to treat a dog with diabetes?

How Much Does Dog Diabetes Cost? Dog diabetes costs anywhere from $30 to $150 per month. The actual cost per month will vary, depending on whether you buy the medication from the veterinarian, an online pharmacy, or use generic/brand name medication.

How common is diabetes in dogs?

How to Tell if a Dog Has Diabetes

Giving your dog a long, happy life – Learning your dog has diabetes can feel like a punch to your gut. Up to 1% of all dogs may develop diabetes during their lifetime. While this is a serious diagnosis, treatment options and management strategies can give your dog a long, quality life.

What can I give my dog naturally for diabetes?

Food as Fuel – Your veterinarian will determine how many calories your dog needs every day, based on their weight and activity level. Once you know that number, it’s important to keep a close eye on what they eat and how much. Researchers are still exploring what diet is best for dogs with diabetes.

• Most vets recommend a high-fiber, low-fat diet.
• Fiber slows the entrance of glucose into the bloodstream and helps your dog feel full.
• Low-fat foods have fewer calories.
• Together, the diet can help your dog eat less and lose weight.
• But make sure your pooch drinks plenty of water.
• Fiber takes water from the body, and that can cause constipation and other problems.

Most dogs do fine with food you can buy at the store. But your vet may recommend prescription dog food or a homemade diet developed by a veterinary nutritionist. Your vet can tell you the best way to go about changing your dog’s food, Even the best diet won’t help if your dog doesn’t eat it, though – and you can’t give insulin to a dog on an empty stomach.

It can make them very sick. If your dog isn’t eating as much, it could be because they don’t like the food. It could also mean they have another problem, or that they are having diabetes-related complications. Talk with your vet. Make sure your dog eats something – even if that something isn’t ideal. But steer clear of soft, semi-moist dog foods in packets, which are typically high in sugar.

With your vet’s OK, here’s how you can entice your pup to eat:

Stir a tablespoon of canned food into their regular food.Scatter shredded chicken or scrambled eggs into kibble.Add a tablespoon of low-sodium chicken broth to dry food.(make sure the broths doesn’t have onions in it because they are toxic)

Treats between meals are OK, but not necessary; it may be best to just stick with meals and no treats. Avoid snacks that list syrup, molasses, fructose, dextrose, or maltose on the ingredients label. Homemade dehydrated meats, carrots, snap peas, and even canned pumpkin are good options.

What happens when a dog gets 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.

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.

1. Your Dog Seems Stiff or Weaker Than Usual Your dog may stumble, appear to be stiff or have difficulty lying down.
2. Dogs with diabetes can develop muscle weakness as a result of the lack of glucose going to their muscles,” says Dr. Romine.
3. 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