How to Deal with Diabetes in Dogs

Diabetes is not restricted to humans alone. Even your pet dogs could develop diabetes. If you want to protect your pets from the ill effects of diabetes, knowledge of diabetes in dogs or canine diabetes as it is commonly known, can help. Information from the veterinarian and the Internet can help dog owners learn how to deal with diabetes in dogs.

Forms of Diabetes in Dogs

Dogs can develop two kinds of diabetes and both are due to hormones. Diabetes mellitus is the caused because of alterations in insulin level produced by the pancreas whereas diabetes insipidus occurs due to problem due to hormone vasopressin.

The underlying cause of diabetes mellitus is insufficient amount of insulin produced by the body. As the insulin level in the body is not enough to metabolize the sugar in the blood, the cells are unable to make use of the glucose for energy and growth.

Vasopressin is an antidiuretic hormone produced in our body that regulates the amount of water retained by the kidney. When the body of your dog fails to produce enough of this vasopressin, it results in diabetes insipidus.

The symptoms for both diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus are similar in dogs. Frequent and excessive urination and increase in thirst indicate the onset of diabetes in dogs. To determine if your dog has developed diabetes and to identify the type of diabetes, the vet needs to perform blood and urine tests.

Forms of Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs

Diabetes mellitus in dogs can either be Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes. Most often canine diabetes is Type 2. This type of diabetes occurs when the body cells develop resistance towards insulin or there is a decline in the amount of insulin produced. Although the body might have enough glucose to serve as a fuel, the body is in need of insulin to circulate the glucose in the blood system so that it reaches the cells.

When the cells develop insulin resistance, the amount of glucose in blood elevates leading to the condition of high blood sugar levels.  This excessive glucose then reaches the kidneys and then leaves the body through excessive urination. While in the body, the excess glucose can damage organs and systems like the nerves and circulatory system.

Treatment for Diabetes for your Pet Dogs

The treatment process involves altering the dog’s diet and supplying the dog with a sufficient amount of insulin through injections. In most cases, these injections are to be given daily. Hence, it’s important for the dog’s owner to learn how to give the shots.

Diabetes insipidus in dogs can be controlled with the help of synthetic vasopressin. However, the vet would investigate into the problem at a deeper level before recommending a treatment. Usually the problem occurs because of a specific gland that causes the hormone imbalance. According to the kind of abnormality or infection the gland has developed, the vet will decide whether to remove the gland or treat it through medicine. Diabetes insipidus is a rare condition in dogs.

If you have any doubts regarding your pet’s health with respect to diabetes, it’s best to consult a vet immediately. The sooner the problem is diagnosed, the easier the recovery process can be.