Diabetes Mellitus
Canine Diabetes Mellitus is a disorder in dogs where their bodies are deficient in the production of insulin or insensitive to it. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and helps regulate blood concentrations of glucose. Symptoms of Canine Diabetes Mellitus become worse as the disease progresses. Although there are cases of animals recovering from having diabetes, there is no miracle cure. Treatment revolves around control and diet and our helpful guides give lots of useful information to help you and your pet lead a near normal life.
Diabetes Mellitus Symptoms
- Excessive drinking and urinating.
- Pail almost clear urine color.
- Weight loss despite increased appetite.
One of the earliest signs is that the dog will want to urinate more frequently and may even do so in the house. Owners of older dogs that develop diabetes often mistake these symptoms for incontinence when in fact it is due to the dog drinking excessively due to great thirst.
In addition, diabetic animals tend to lose weight despite an increased appetite because they breakdown stores of fat and protein to make glucose and ketones in the liver. The dog may become lethargic with little interest in anything except sleeping. All of these symptoms together are definitely cause for concern and expert diagnosis should be obtained from you vet at the earliest opportunity.
Diabetes Mellitus (sugar diabetes) is a progressive disease and the symptoms become more serious and debilitating. The animal becomes dehydrated and anorexic and may experience an increase in infections. Many diabetic dogs develop cataracts which can make them almost blind.
Causes of Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs
There are several ways in which dogs can develop diabetes mellitus but a common myth that feeding a dog dry dog food or vegetarian diets is simply unfounded.
Millions of dogs are fed on a diet of dried food every single day without developing diabetes and there are dogs who reach ripe old age on a vegetarian diet without so much of a hint of diabetes.
Nutrition does play an important part in the well-being of any animal and although there is much speculation that diabetes in dogs is on the increase because of the change in pace of our lives, little evidence of a direct coalition exists.
There are several known causes, which have been well documented; these include infectious viral diseases, hyperadrenocorticism, acromegaly and pancreatitis, but it is also known that certain breeds and bloodlines of dogs are more susceptible to this disease
Symptoms and Treatment of |
Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs Symptoms & Treatment |
