Diabetes can make it hard for animals to regulate their blood sugar.Cells have the ability to transmit sugars for energy.With an excess of sugar in their system and infections without enough energy at the cellular level, diabetic dogs lose weight, get cataracts, and suffer from bladder and kidney disease.The treatment for canine diabetes is more effective if you detect it earlier.If your dog is more susceptible to diabetes, you should be aware of it.You need to pay more attention to the warning signs if you have a dog.
Step 1: Be aware that overweight dogs are more likely to develop diabetes.
When a dog is heavier than average it can cause diabetes.If this is an issue for your dog, you should check his rib cage.Your dog has a rib cage.You should be able to feel the ribs.Your dog may be overweight if not.Some dogs have long coats that make it difficult to feel their ribs.It's a good test to feel for their hip bones.If you can feel them by pressing down lightly, your dog is not overweight.If your pet is overweight, talk to your vet about ways to lose weight.It is possible to achieve success with your dog by cutting down on treats and snacks and adding in more walks per week.
Step 2: If your dog is seven years old, take note.
Dogs between the ages of seven and nine are more likely to have diabetes.Decreased exercise can lead to weight gain as your dog gets older.This usually shows an increased level of blood sugar and an insufficient amount ofinsulin, which can lead to diabetes.
Step 3: Know which breeds are more vulnerable.
Some breeds of dogs are more likely to be affected with diabetes.Miniature dogs are well represented on this list.Dogs that are mixed breed are more likely to develop diabetes.Unspayed females are more prone to diabetes.A high-risk dog is an overweight, intact female from a breed such as a dachshund or beagle.
Step 4: Do you know if your dog is thirsty?
One of the most obvious signs of diabetes is excessive drinking.Your dog will need to drink more water if it has high glucose levels.A dog with diabetes will drink a lot of water.Your dog will start urinating more.Pets will sometimes start urinating in the house or in its own bed.Limit the dog's water intake.The amount of water your dog is drinking is important.
Step 5: If your dog sleeps more than usual, you should notice.
Increased lethargy is a sign of diabetes.The dog runs low on fuel because the sugar doesn't get taken up into the cells.It is known as "diabetes fatigue".
Step 6: Check your dog's vision.
Diabetes can cause cataracts in long term.There is a risk of sudden blindness from diabetes in dogs.
Step 7: If you notice these symptoms, go to your vet.
Further health problems can be caused by diabetes that isn't treated.The vet will want to check your dog's blood sugar levels to make sure no other organs have been affected by the diabetes.
Step 8: Take tests.
Your vet will perform a number of tests on your dog.A wide range of conditions and illnesses, but taken together, will let your vet know if your dog has diabetes.A urinalysis is a chemical exam of your dog's urine.The vet will ask for a urine sample in the first instance.Diabetes isn't likely if there's no sugar in the urine.Blood tests are needed if sugar is present.The next test will be a bloodglucose test.A single pin of blood can be used.Diabetes is ruled out if levels are normal.A full blood panel is needed if the levels are high.A dog's blood stream is looked at by a CBC.If the vet finds higher levels of white blood cells, this could be a sign of a urinary tract infection.A low red blood count is indicative of dehydration.It could mean that your dog has a problem with red blood cells.There is a separate blood sample.Monitoring sugar levels and other materials in your dog's blood is the focus of this test.Irregularities of any kind may be indicative of diabetes, but vets look at the sugar in the blood.Normally taken after the dog has fasted, any elevatedglucose level likely indicates diabetes.A blood fructosamine test may be ordered by the vet.Blood sugar levels for the preceding two to three weeks are given here.This is significant because a single high bloodglucose result is not conclusive for diabetes as stress can cause temporary elevations.If you want to confirm the diagnosis, a blood sugar curve or fructosamine is advisable.