You may think of diabetes as only a human ailment, but unfortunately, that’s not so. Our furry friends can develop diabetes just like people do. However, diabetic dogs can live relatively normal lives with proper treatment.
Below, learn the signs your dog has diabetes to help you know if it’s time to take Fido to the veterinarian. If you’re looking for a low-cost vet clinic in Arlington, TX, call Penny Paws to make an appointment today.
Understanding Diabetes in Dogs
Diabetes mellitus, commonly called “sugar diabetes,” is the most common type affecting dogs. The disease affects the way your dog’s body handles glucose, an essential fuel created when it eats meals.
Your dog’s pancreas is responsible for producing insulin and regulating digestion. Think of insulin as a sort of “alert system” that tells a dog’s cells it’s time to use glucose as fuel. If all the systems in your dog’s body are working properly, its cells grab glucose and turn it into energy.
Diabetes occurs when your dog’s body either doesn’t produce insulin or doesn’t know how to use the available insulin. There are two kinds of canine diabetes:
- Insulin-deficient (Type I): With this disease, your dog’s body doesn’t make enough insulin, sometimes due to pancreas damage or a genetic defect. Your dog will need insulin injections daily to replace the insulin that its body isn’t producing.
- Insulin-resistant (Type II): If your dog has insulin resistance, its body is producing some insulin, but the cells aren’t using it and therefore don’t convert glucose into energy. Insulin resistance is most commonly seen in senior dogs.
There’s also a third type of canine diabetes, called gestational diabetes, which affects pregnant dogs due to a hormonal condition. Gestational diabetes is temporary but can recur if the dog gets pregnant again.
It’s important to know the signs your dog has diabetes. If it’s left untreated, the disease can have serious health implications including:
- When your dog’s body can’t make use of glucose, it breaks down muscle and fat for energy instead.
- Excess glucose buildup moves into the urine, along with a large amount of water, causing excessive thirst in dogs.
- Glucose buildup can damage your dog’s tissues and organs over time.
- If left untreated, the buildup of glucose can be fatal to dogs.
What Causes Diabetes in Dogs?
There are a number of risk factors for diabetes in dogs, including:
- Age: Diabetes is typically diagnosed in dogs five years of age and older.
- Sex: Female dogs are more likely to develop diabetes than males, especially if they are unspayed.
- Genetics: Some breeds of dogs are more likely to develop diabetes. These include dachshunds, beagles, poodles, miniature schnauzers, pugs, bichon frises, samoyeds, and several breeds of terriers.
- Obesity: Obesity makes it difficult for a dog’s body to use insulin and can lead to pancreatitis, a major risk factor for canine diabetes.
- Cushing’s disease: This disease causes a dog’s body to overproduce steroids, which can lead to diabetes over time.
- Steroid medication: When used long-term, steroid medications increase the risk of a dog developing diabetes.
Dog Diabetes Symptoms That Warrant a Trip to the Vet
If you think your dog may have diabetes, prompt treatment from a veterinarian is a must. The sooner you get help, the better the prognosis will be for your dog. It’s time to schedule a vet appointment if you notice any of these diabetic dog behavior changes:
- Excessive thirst: You fill up the water bowl for your dog, and it’s empty in a couple of minutes. Excessive thirst is one of the first signs of diabetes in dogs. A diabetic dog will feel constantly thirsty because of the unused glucose building up in its urine.
- Frequent urination: Because your dog is drinking so much water, it’ll have to “go” more often. Dogs, even house-trained ones, may begin having accidents indoors. Frequent urination in dogs always warrants a vet visit.
- Increased hunger: Increased hunger in dogs is another common sign of diabetes. A dog with diabetes will have a ravenous appetite due to its body’s inability to use glucose.
- Weight loss in dogs: Despite eating more, a diabetic dog will lose weight rapidly. If your dog is losing weight at an alarming rate, call a vet ASAP.
- Fruity-smelling breath: Dog lovers know that their furry friend’s breath doesn’t always smell pleasant. But if your dog’s breath suddenly smells like fruit, it’s a warning sign worth taking seriously. The fruity smell comes from the production of ketones, which your dog’s body produces when it burns fat instead of using glucose.
- Dog lethargy: Because diabetes in dogs causes malnutrition, dogs with this disease may seem tired and not want to participate in usual activities.
- Thinning fur: Diabetic dogs often lose fur in patches, most commonly along the back.
- Cloudy eyes: Diabetes damages the blood vessels in your dog’s eyes, which can lead to cataracts and eventual blindness. Call a vet immediately if your dog’s eyes take on a cloudy appearance.
In the later stages of diabetes, dogs may vomit, have seizures, and develop infections (particularly urinary tract infections). Ketoacidosis is another late-stage condition of diabetes that can be life-threatening. Veterinarians recommend that owners of diabetic dogs always have ketone testing strips available. Call an emergency vet right away if your dog tests positive for ketones.
Diabetes Treatment for Dogs
Most dogs with diabetes will need daily injections of insulin. Giving injections can feel intimidating for some owners, but with some practice, it will become a quick and easy part of your care routine.
Your dog may also need to eat a special diet, such as low-fat food with complex carbohydrates, to help slow down glucose absorption. Exercise can help your dog’s body maintain steady glucose levels as well.
Expert Vet Care for Diabetic Dogs in Arlington, TX
Now that you’ve learned the signs a dog has diabetes, such as your dog losing weight or drinking water excessively, contact Penny Paws for an appointment. Our vets understand canine diabetes signs and can provide a treatment regimen to help your dog live a healthy, fulfilling life.
Call (817) 382-9229 to schedule your appointment now.