How is canine diabetes diagnosed?Treatment for diabetes in dogs

+Is my dog at risk?

Diabetes is one of the most common endocrine diseases affecting obese dogs and middle-aged dogs, with 60 percent of patients older than seven at the time of diagnosis. Diabetes seldom occurs in dogs younger than two year of age, and it is more common in females and neutered males than in intact males. Keeshonds,Poodles,Miniature Pinschers and Siberian Huskies may be at higher risk.

+How is canine diabetes diagnosed?

Diabetes can be a silent disease, so diagnosis is based on the signs the dog is displaying. Diagnosing diabetes is done through a series of blood tests and urine tests. A blood test that measures your dog’s blood glucose level is the most common diagnostic tool,normal levels for a dog will be 70 - 150 mg/dl, a diabetic dogs blood sugar might be greater then 200 mg/dl, but a high glucose level does not always mean diabetes. Your veterinarian will check your dogs urine for glucose, these testing are necessary to rule out other diseases that have similar symptoms to diabetes.

+The treatment for diabetes in dogs

Like in human, the treatment for diabetes in dogs through diet and insulin therapy. Your pet will need to be kept on a strict regimen of feedings and insulin injections, insulin must be injected and often needs to be given twice daily. For insulin to be most effective, insulin need injected just under the skin. A high fiber diet, proper weight management and regular exercise   can aid in control of diabetes mellitus.

Reason Insulin Is the Best Treatment for Diabetic Dogs?

The reason that insulin is the best treatment for canine diabetes is the fact that dogs with diabetes almost always suffer from insulin-dependent diabetes.

+Prevention of Canine Diabetes

A healthy diet and regular exercise usually is one of the most important things when it comes to prevention of canine diabetes.

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The symptoms and causes of Canine Diabetes

For years the rate of diabetes in America’s pets has more than tripled since 1975, so that today it affects about 1 in every 400 dogs. Diabetes is a common ailment in dogs,it seems to be more common  in middle aged dogs and in obese dogs. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 in which the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin and type two in which the body's cells don't respond appropriately to insulin. Known as a silent killer, if not detected is a serious disease that strikes dogs and if left untreated can cause serious health complications. The key to protection is first knowing the symptoms & causes for canine diabetes.

The symptoms of canine diabetes:

 +Drinking more

 +Urinating more

 +Weight loss

 +Increased appetite

 +Dehydration

 +Sudden cataract formation

In more advanced cases is vomiting, weakness and coma. If your dog has any of these symptoms see your veterinarian immediately.

Pinpointing the causes of diabetes can lower your dog risk of developing this disease. What Are the causes of canine diabetes?

+Obesity:Dogs that are overweight have a higher risk of getting diabetes. Obesity can cause insulin resistance,when a dog does not produce insulin or can't use it normally, his blood sugar levels elevate the result is diabetes.

 +Old Age:Dogs who are middle aged to old aged are more likely to develop diabetes than younger dogs.

+Hereditary:Canine diabetes can be hereditary. If the dog's parents have diabetes there is a good chance he will also develop canine diabetes at some point.

+Reproductive Hormones:Reproductive hormones that may be present in an unspayed or an un-neutered canine may increase glucose levels and cause the dog to develop canine diabetes.

+Steroids:Regular steroid shots can cause under-production of insulin due to its negative effect    on the pancreas,then cause diabetes.

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What is diabetes in dogs?

Diabetes mellitus is a common disease in canines. Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Miniature Schnauzers, Poodles have the highest incidence but all breeds can be affected. Diabetes results when the dog’s body makes too little insulin or doesn’t process insulin properly. Diabetes mainly affects middle-aged and older dogs but there are also juvenile cases.
Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disease that commonly occurs in dogs. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 in which the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin and type two in which the body's cells don't respond appropriately to insulin. The normal pancreas has two essential functions(It secretes enzymes that assist with digestion in the small intestine+It produces a hormone called insulin that enables the body to absorb glucose from the bloodstream).Without insulin, the body's cells cannot absorb the glucose, it's major fuel source. Glucose in the urine causes the diabetic animal to excrete large volumes of urine.
Diabetes in dogs is increasingly popular but it can be controlled and need not shorten the animal's life span or interfere with quality of life.

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