What is Diabetes

Diabetes, also known as Sugar Diabetes, DM or simple diabetes, is currently the most common type of diabetes diagnosed in dogs. This type of diabetes comes in two forms, type 1 and type 2.
Type 1 diabetes is an insulin-dependent form of diabetes similar to juvenile-onset diabetes in humans. This is common in dogs and may be hereditary. Dogs with type 1 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, which is necessary for the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats and the regulation of blood sugar levels.
Type 2 diabetes is a non-insulin-dependent form of diabetes that is similar to adult-onset diabetes in humans and is rare in dogs. People with type 2 diabetes have normal levels of insulin, but their cells still can't process food or regulate blood sugar levels properly. People with any form of diabetes have too much sugar in their blood and they become very thirsty and pass large amounts of urine. Their bodies go into "starvation mode," breaking down stored fat for energy, causing harmful byproducts to accumulate in the circulation. If left untreated, diabetes in dogs can lead to stroke, coma, and even death.

How to diagnose diabetes

The main symptoms of insulin-dependent diabetes in dogs are increased thirst and water intake, increased urination, increased appetite, increased food intake and weight loss. The presence of these symptoms may lead to a preliminary diagnosis of diabetes. To confirm the diagnosis, the veterinarian must perform a series of tests, rule out other possible causes of the symptoms, and determine appropriate treatment options. Fortunately, diabetes is not particularly difficult to diagnose, and it is one of the more manageable metabolic diseases associated with dogs. , dogs with diabetes are unable to metabolize or use dietary sugar properly, which may be due to insufficient insulin or insulin resistance. Unprocessed sugar can build up in the circulation, which is called "hyperglycemia." Eventually, glucose will begin to be excreted in the urine (this is called "glycosuria"). Hyperglycemia and glycosuria are easily detected with simple blood and urine tests, which can be performed at almost any veterinary clinic. One of the tests involves the dog fasting for a period of time and then taking a blood sample to assess its blood sugar levels. Dogs with fasting hyperglycemia may have diabetes.
Routine blood tests (complete blood count and serum biochemistry) can also help identify kidney or liver disease. Any detectable amount of glucose in a dog's urine is abnormal and highly suggestive of diabetes. Diabetes can also cause a dog's body to enter a state of starvation. Because a dog cannot process and use glucose normally, over time, its body begins to break it down and use stored protein and fat for energy so basic body functions can continue. The breakdown of fat causes ketones to build up in the dog's blood and are eventually excreted in the urine. ketones in urineThe presence of the class can also be detected through urinalysis, which is a very strong positive indicator of diabetes. Dogs with ketodiabetes are very sick, typically showing signs of severe dehydration, weakness, depression, vomiting, and shock. This finding, along with the levels of glucose and ketones in the blood and urine, is diagnostic of this stage of the disease in almost all cases. Most dogs with diabetes have an increased chance of urinary tract infections because the high sugar content in their urine provides a favorable environment for bacterial overgrowth in the urinary tract. A simple urine test can let your veterinarian know if your dog needs treatment.

Dangers of Diabetes

There are two types of canine diabetes - diabetes insipidus and diabetes insipidus. Of these, diabetes - specifically type 1, or insulin-dependent diabetes - is by far the most common. In healthy animals, insulin is produced and released by specialized cells in the pancreas. Ingestion of glucose from food requires insulin to enter cells and tissues where it can be processed and used for energy. People with type 1 diabetes don't have enough insulin in their blood because their specialized pancreatic cells are not present or not functioning properly. This prevents them from properly metabolizing dietary sugar, leading to abnormally high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and glucose levels in the urine (glucosuria). Dogs with excess sugar tend to excrete large amounts of urine, leading to dehydration and unusual thirst. Metabolic abnormalities associated with diabetes initially increase a dog's appetite because his cells are unable to take in and use dietary sugar. This is called "going into starvation mode." The dog's body begins to break down stored fat for energy. This causes certain acid byproducts of fat metabolism, called "ketones," to accumulate in the blood. Eventually, this can lead to a very serious and life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. Disruption of complex metabolic systems can lead to many different symptoms. While many of these are vague, they can indicate the presence of diabetes and may help dog owners and veterinarians diagnose it early.

The symptoms of diabetic dogs are as follows

Increased thirst and water consumption (polydipsia) Increased urine output and frequency (polyuria) Inappropriate urination (loss of housetraining; house or car accidents; incontinence) Increased appetite and excessive food intake (polyphagia) Weight loss despite increased food intake Dehydration (severe end-stage disease) Weight loss Lethargy Dyspnea (slow breathing, difficulty breathing) Vomiting Abdominal pain Strong smell of acetone when breathing Urinary tract infection (caused by abnormally high glucose levels in the urine) Cloudy eyes; Cataracts Abnormal vision (acute onset of blindness caused by bilateral cataracts; fairly common in dogs) Exercise intolerance Loss of appetite (loss of appetite; loss of appetite; later in the course of the disease ) Poor physical condition Poor skin and coat condition Disorientation; Numbness Lack of coordination (ataxia) Seizures; Convulsions Shock Coma Death Unbalanced sense of direction It may seem strange that many diabetic pups lose weight despite eating a lot of food during the course of the disease falling lightShow. In the long term, diabetes has the potential to affect other organs and systemic diseases. Cataracts are common in diabetic dogs, and veterinarians are often consulted more often because of cataracts. Dogs with diabetes are also at risk for developing liver enlargement (enlargement of the liver) and neurological disorders. If a dog drinks and urinates and eats more frequently but does not gain weight, then there is an increased chance of developing underlying diabetes.

Breeds prone to diabetes

Dogs of all breeds are likely to suffer from diabetes (including mixed breeds), but middle-aged and older obese female dogs are more likely to suffer from diabetes. Diabetes is usually diagnosed between the ages of 4 and 14 years, although it is possible for younger dogs to develop diabetes. This is very rare, but it can happen. Female animals are 2 to 3 times more affected than males. The reasons for this gender association are not understood. Type I diabetes is an insulin-dependent disease that appears to be genetically related; the exact role of genetics in this disease is unclear. Risk factors other than breed and sex include obesity, recurrent pancreatitis (often manifesting as symptoms of abdominal distress), older unneutered female dogs, hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease), and taking medications that antagonize the effects of insulin. , such as certain steroid drugs. The risk of diabetes is relatively high in dogs such as Golden Retrievers, Samoyeds, Bichon Frizees, Schnauzers, Poodles, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Doberman Pinschers.

Treatment of Dog Diabetes

As soon as the veterinarian confirms that the dog has diabetes, a treatment plan will be developed immediately. The main goal of treatment is to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of the disease and return the dog to a happy, comfortable and active state. In most cases, treatment will involve daily insulin therapy and strict dietary management. If the diabetic condition is very severe, such as severe dehydration, fatigue, and shock, it will be admitted to the hospital and intravenous infusion may be started immediately to restore fluid and electrolyte balance.
Once the dog is stabilized, dietary changes will become important to prevent or correct the obesity often associated with early-stage diabetes and to stabilize blood sugar levels. Diets must be customized for each patient, but in general, diabetic dogs should be fed a diet high in fiber to help reduce the rate at which blood sugar from food is absorbed. A diet high in soluble and insoluble fiber, including complex carbohydrates, slows the absorption of food particles and helps manage the blood sugar spikes and troughs that accompany diabetes. Dogs with diabetes should eat multiple small meals throughout the day rather than a single large meal. A small portion of this should be fed with each insulin injection.
Most experts recommend avoiding semi-moist packaged foods because many of them contain ingredients that can exacerbate hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Where appropriate, owners should initiate daily exercise for diabetic dogs after discussion with their veterinarian. Insulin therapy is the mainstay of treatment for type 1 diabetes. This is easy to do, and the veterinary health care team can show owners how to give their dogs insulin at home. Most dogs tolerate very small insulin needles well. haveSeveral different types of insulin have different potencies and durations of action. The treating veterinarian will determine which type of insulin should be given to any particular dog, as well as the amount and interval.
It is very important for owners to follow their veterinarian's instructions and administer insulin accurately, with absolutely no deviations. Improper storage, improper mixing, and dosing errors can all have significant adverse effects on the success or failure of insulin therapy. For dogs with type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes, your veterinarian may prescribe other medications, such as oral hypoglycemic medications, as an alternative to or in addition to insulin injections. She may also change the type or frequency of insulin over time and check for other underlying conditions that may be involved. Monitoring a diabetic dog's progression and response to treatment is critical. After insulin treatment is initiated, your veterinarian will recommend a regular monitoring regimen, including periodic re-evaluation of the dog's symptoms, blood and urine sugar levels. She may recommend performing a blood glucose curve from time to time. This test is used to evaluate how quickly a dog processes a given type of insulin and how effective a combination of diet, exercise, and insulin is at controlling blood sugar fluctuations. Blood glucose testing is critical to the safety and effectiveness of long-term insulin therapy. A hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) crisis can occur if a diabetic dog receives too much insulin, or receives the correct amount of insulin but vomits it or does not combine it with an insulin injection. This can cause weakness, drowsiness, difficulty waking from sleep, and sometimes seizures, blindness, and swelling of the brain. Signs caused by hypoglycemia are usually temporary, but they can be serious and may become permanent. If an owner suspects that his dog is in a hypoglycemic crisis, he should discontinue all insulin therapy and take the dog to the veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian may recommend taking Karo (corn) syrup orally and rubbing it against your dog's gums as a source of glucose. In the hospital, the dog will be evaluated and may be started on intravenous fluid therapy until it is stable.