Signs of Diabetes in Dogs

Diabetes is not only confined to humans. Other animals including pets such as dogs and cats can also suffer from diabetes.

Diabetes in dogs is caused by either lack of insulin or insufficient response to insulin when either the pancreas is damaged or not working properly. Insulin is the hormone that facilitates the absorption of glucose into the cells of a dog’s bloodstream. When a dog is diabetic its body cannot control sugar levels in the bloodstream.

This leads to a condition known as hyperglycemia which means excess sugar in a dog’s bloodstream. There are various signs and symptoms if a dog is diabetic.

Symptoms and Signs of Hypoglycemia in Dogs

  1. Increased or Excessive Urination.

When a dog is suffering from diabetes, the dog’s body tries to get rid of excess sugar in its body through urination.

  1. Excessive Thirst.

Due to the increase or excessive urination the dog also increases its water intake. This is because the dog’s body is trying to cope with the excessive water loss.

  1. Increased Appetite

This happens because glucose is not being absorbed into the dog’s body. When that happens the dog thinks its starving. This creates a greater than normal hunger.

  1. Weight loss

Even though a dog’s appetite will increase the dog will suffer from weight loss. This happens because nutrients are not properly being assimilated into the dog’s body.

Other Advanced Signs and Symptoms may include: Best treats for Diabetic Dog

  • Unkempt hair coat and the presence of dandruff.
  • Frequently vomiting
  • The dog may also show signs of depression and lethargy.
  • Weakness or lack of energy.
  • The sudden appearance of cataracts in the eyes and in some cases the dog may also suffer from temporary blindness.

Diabetes in Dogs

There are various factors that can put a dog at risk for developing diabetes.

These factors include;

  • Age. Although diabetes can occur to a dog at any age, most dogs that develop diabetes are of middle age and old/senior dogs.
  • Pancreatitis in a dog is also a major cause of diabetes. Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas (which produces insulin). Repeated pancreatitis causes immense damage to the pancreas thus resulting in diabetes.
  • Obesity is also a major contributing factor to diabetes in dogs. This is because obesity contributes to insulin resistance and it is also a risk factor for pancreatitis.
  • Steroid medications are also triggers for diabetes in dogs if used long-term
  • Other health conditions and autoimmune disorders can also trigger diabetes.
  • Any breed of dog can suffer from diabetes though they vary in susceptibility.

Diagnosis of Diabetes in Dogs

Simple tests are done to test glucose levels in a dog’s bloodstream and sugar levels in a dog’s urine. However, it’s essential to understand that it’s easier to treat diabetes in a dog if it’s discovered sooner. Treatment should start promptly to increase the chances of your dog living a normal life.

Read about Diabetes in cats HERE!

Signs of diabetes in dogs

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Does Your Cat Have Feline Diabetic Neuropathy?

Feline diabetic neuropathy is the loss of nerves particularly in the legs due to hypoglycemia. This is from damage caused by high levels of glucose in the blood that damages nerves over time. The symptoms include weakness, pain, tingling, and paralysis.

These can be seen in a cats hind legs becoming weak or the cat not moving as much as before. The nerves in the legs become more and more damaged and this leads to numbness, tingliness, pain and weakness, even paralysis.

Often this is ignored by the owner as a symptom of an aging cat. The loss of the feeling (or the pain) in the legs will make the cat limp along, often not able to stand on his toes, so walks on his hocks (heels) taking frequent rests.  Jumping will be quite difficult and in time, impossible.

Feline Diabetic Neuropathy can be Reversed

Diabetic neuropathy in dogs is less common but does happen and is seen by the dog’s legs becoming weaker or becoming unusable. But the good news is, it can be reversed with the right treatment in the early stages of its attacks on the nerves. With the proper diet and exercise with methyl-b12 a cats diabetic symptoms can be reversed.

diabetes in catsThis condition destroys the nerves by blocking the capillaries that carry the nutrients to the nerve cells starving them to death.  The supplement methyl b-12 works by rebuilding the nerve cells in the nerves, restoring the signal between your cat’s brain and the weakened muscles.

Feline diabetes neuopathy

It is a very safe vitamin to give your cat,  it’s water soluble, which means your cat will pee out what they don’t need and it has no side effects.  Studies have shown that other B-12 vitamins don’t work as effectively.

Though feline diabetic neuropathy is reversible it must be caught in the early stages of its damage. The time usually that it takes is 6-12 months to fully reverse any damage done to the cells. If your cat begins to limp and never gets better, a trip to the vet is needed to protect your cat and improve its comfort and quality of life, giving you many more playful years with your favorite animal. Plenty of exercise and a healthy eating plan is best for you animals as well, to manage feline diabetes.

Liffeline diabetic neuropathye Expectancy of Cats with Diabetes

Every cat is different – but very often, your pet can have a happy and healthy life as there are treatment options for Diabetic cats. We have heard of lots of diabetic cats reaching the age of 18 years or more and are still happy and healthy!

Feline diabetic neuopathy

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