![]() ![]() This is particularly the case in terms of how much insulin needs to be administered. The vet will be responsible for establishing this treatment and will need o continue periodic evaluations to ensure the course of treatment is effective. ![]() ![]() Once a diagnosis is made the treatment will consist of insulin injections and a specific diet for diabetic dogs. However, when the disease advances more noticeable symptoms will develop. The first symptoms of diabetes in dogs are:Įarly onset diabetes may need lab tests to determine. Despite eating more at the beginning, they may still lose weight. Dogs will eat more during the early stages, but steadily lose their appetite as the disease progresses. They will dehydrate more quickly and urinate more frequently, leading to them drinking more water than is normally appropriate. This lack of insulin means glucose sin't processed and there is too much of it in the blood and urine (the latter known as glucosuria). Insulin allows glucose to enter into cells in order metabolize and release energy. The cause of diabetes is essentially an inadequate production of insulin. With these tests we can detect early onset diabetes even before other symptoms occur. It occurs more regularly in females over 6 years of age which is why it is important to to submit the dog to an annual check up with blood and urine tests after this time. Diabetes can be either type 1 or type 2 and it can be found relatively frequently in dogs. In this section we will take a closer look at diabetes mellitus and its links to hyperglycemia. Cushing's Syndrome (also known as hyperadrenocorticism) can cause hyperglycemia as can pancreatitis, consuming medications like glucocorticoids or even kidney failure. The causes of this condition are various, but the most well known is perhaps diabetes since this is also a common disease in humans. Hypoglycemia can be caused by an insulinoma, a tumor in the pancreas which affects insulin production.Īs we have said, blood sugar levels above 120 mg/dL lead to hyperglycemia. Without insulin (or with too low levels of insulin), the dog will develop hyperglycemia which we may know as diabetes mellitus. It is regulated by insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas. Glucose fulfils important functions throughout the body, particularly in providing energy during metabolic processes. This means their blood sugar levels will go up after eating, before deceasing again the further away from the meal they get. These different clinical pictures will present in different situations such as increased thirst, urine or weakness.ĭogs consume glucose via their diet (i.e. When the levels are too low, the dog is likely hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic when too high. Unhealthy blood glucose levels are those which are higher than 120 mg/dL or lower than 88 mg/dL. This is why the vet will have to perform a physical examination and may even have to send for more tests to reach an appropriate diagnosis. These may include creatinine and urea production in the kidneys or GOT and GPT tests for the liver.Īfter analysis, if the levels are revealed to not be within the normal ranges, the dog may or may not show symptoms.
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