Signs of Dog Diabetes
When a dog is unable to make insulin or suddenly cannot handle the insulin it produces, she has diabetes. If a dog already has Cushing's syndrome or a hormone deficiency, he may also get diabetes. Diabetes is not a death sentence in dogs. Canine diabetes can be treated with insulin injections, diet changes, regular exercise. Female dogs with diabetes should be spayed.
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At Risk Dogs
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According to "ASPCA Complete Guide to Dogs" (Sheldon L. Gerstenfeld, VMD, 1999), overweight female dogs over six years old are most prone to getting diabetes. However, it also notes that some breeds are more prone to getting diabetes for an unknown reason. These breeds include dachshunds, Dobermans, cocker spaniels, golden retrievers, poodles and the Samoyed.
First Symptoms
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According to "The Veterinarians' Guide to Your Dog's Symptoms" (Michael S. Garvey, DVM, Et all; 1999), the usual first symptom of diabetes is a vast increase in thirst. The dog will always be hanging around the water bowl, begging for far more water than normal. As a consequence, the dog will also urinate more frequently.
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Next Symptoms
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The next symptoms can vary from dog to dog, but the most common are increased appetite, sudden weight loss, vomiting far more than usual and development of cataracts. The dog also may seem to be easily tired and depressed. Things that normally get the dog excited may not elicit much of a response.
Later Symptoms
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According to "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" (Debra M. Eldredge, DVM, et all; 2007), a dog in advanced stages of diabetes will lose almost all appetite, vomit frequently, be constantly exhausted, have coordination problems and eventually will go into a coma. He will have an enlarged liver and be prone to catching any illness.
Dehydration
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All throughout the dog's deterioration, there is a risk of the dog becoming dangerously dehydrated. When the dog cannot process insulin (for whatever reason), she excretes a large amount of glucose in the urine. Glucose also stimulates a dog to urinate more frequently. The more glucose in the urine, the more the dog will have to urinate. Eventually, the dog can't drink enough fluids in order to keep alive. Proper treatment resolves this issue.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Image from Wikimedia Commons.
