How to Control Canine Diabetes

Diabetic dogs require regularity. One symptom of poor diabetes control is weight loss, even when the canine is eating normally. Weight loss can lead to serious complications of diabetes. When the dog's diet is not producing enough energy, it will use fat reserves. There are three forms of canine diabetes, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus and gestational diabetes, with dog diabetes melitus the most common. Controlling diabetes is done with insulin, diet and exercise.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Insulin
• Fiber
• Dog food

Controlling Dog Diabetes

1. For a dog receiving insulin injections twice a day, the feeding schedule should be four meals a day.

2. Feed the dog one meal at each insulin injection and one meal in the early afternoon and one meal in the late evening.

3. Add fiber to the dog's food such as Metamucil or pumpkin pie filling.

4. Monitor the dog's blood sugar levels regularly.

Tips & Warnings

• Canine diabetes symptoms include:

• 1. Excessive thirst

• 2. Excessive urination

• 3. Weight loss

• 4. Exercise intolerance

• 5. Eye problems

• 6. Recurring infections

• 7. Increased appetite

• Canine diabetes risk factors include:

• 1. Obesity for type II

• 2. Diestrus

• 3. Pregnancy

References

• Dog Diabetes
• Vet Info
• Mirage