Pet Diseases: Dog Diabetes - Symptoms and Treatment
Could My Dog Be Showing Signs of Diabetes?
There are certain signs that a person may have developed diabetes, and the same is true with dogs. They begin to display signs that something isn't right - now it's on the owner to recognize the signs and seek help for the dog.
One sign that your dog may have developed diabetes is that he is suddenly weak and has little energy. Since this particular symptom could point to any number of ailments, it's best to take your dog to the vet for a checkup upon noticing that he's so tired. Another red flag is that the dog has a definite increase in thirst. If he empties his water bucket much quicker than previously, have the dog tested for diabetes.
Some symptoms seem more severe, when dealing with diabetes in dogs, making it impossible for the owner to ignore, such as abdominal pain. Some owners notice that the dog will yell when getting up or lying down, or when petted in the abdominal area. Damage to the pancreas is the reason for the pain, but even still, it's not too late to get treatment.
Dogs that are the most at risk for diabetes are ones that have had a poor diet most of their life, obese dogs, stress, or just being female. That's right, female dogs are twice as likely to have diabetes as male dogs.
There's no cure for diabetes but your vet can recommend insulin, dietary changes, and other therapies that will help your pet remain fairly healthy and alert. Exercise is also very important when trying to lessen the effects of diabetes.
Take your dog to the vet and have him checked for diabetes if you notice greater thirst, frequent urination, rapid weight loss, depression, abdominal pain, and sudden weight gain. The test is simple, and not all that expensive, and can mean the difference between good health or deterioration in your pet.
Diabetes is a serious illness that strikes people and dogs alike - often with severity. Seek help for your dog upon the first hints that he may be diabetic. You'll be glad you did.
Published by Emma Salk - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
Born in Columbus, Ohio, Emma Salk has traveled the U.S. and parts of the world. She has visited nearly every state in America and now resides in scenic North Carolina. Emma Salk has been published, online, o... View profile
- Demand for Organic Pet FoodOrganic pet foods increased sales of sixty-three percent from 2002 - 2003. Pet organic foods do not contain, any preservatives, pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics. Many organic pet foods are hypoallergenic.Became l...
- Pet Shops in Missoula, MontanaIf you are looking for a pet or pet supplies in Missoula, Montana then there are several places that you can go.
- Caring for Your Pet BirdsHere are ten things you can do to make your bird happy if you have one for a pet.
- The Best Ways to Find a Lost PetSome of the best steps you can take to find a lost pet start well before that pet disappears. Tags and other identifying information attached to a collar can help enormously.
Signs Promote Upcoming Highway Advisory StationMotorists traveling along Route 9 and Interstates 95 and 295 have noticed new blue and yellow signs noting the upcoming Highway Advisory Radio.
- How to Make Professional Looking Signs
- Pet Emergency: Kits, Preparations and Helpful Advice
- 10 Warning Signs that You Shouldn't Get Married
- 10 Signs of an Entrepreneur
- Campaign Signs - How to Make Your Candidate Work for You
- Where to Buy Pet Clothes Online
- The Best Online Pet Places
- Read more about pet diabetes.Resources for owners of pets with diabetes
- People aren't the only ones that can develop diabetes - pets can too.
- Extreme thirst is one indicator that your dog could be diabetic.
- Some dogs may need insulin, if they're diabetic, others may just need a change in diet.
25 Comments
Post a CommentI had to have my littls toy terrier put down last year due to diabeties. He went totally blind. His eyes turned silver. He tryed to run with the other two dogs and would run into things. It was so sad to watch. The vet said you have to be fair to your little dog. I did what was humane. I was sick for weeks and my other dogs kept waiting for him to come home. Now my Rat terrier was just diagnosed with diabeties. He just started fluids, and insulin. I hope he does good . He is just 10 years old. The same age the other dog was when diabeties was treated.
We have a 5 and a half year old pug that was diagnosed with diabetes last Dec, We love this dog to no end and are now making the decision to put him down or not. He has 2 shots a day and I make his food. He does not have the energy he use to have and wants to sleep all the time. He is losing his sight and you can tell by the expression on his face that he is so confused as to what is going on. He was also born deaf, so going blind and not being able to hear is doubly tough. He has been through several surgeries with unrelated problems prior to coming down with diabetes. We have always said that we will do the humane thing by putting him down, before he gets in pain and has any more problems. As much as we love him and would want to be selfish and keep him around longer, we know we would not want him to be in pain and suffer. If you think your dog is fine because you are doing what you can to give him his proper medication, you are wrong. They know that they don't feel good
my dog blancita is 10 years old and we barely found out 3 days ago that she was diabetic not only that but has much more other problems i am only 13 and give her all of her treatment she also sleeps with me now on my bed but shes been having problems such as diarria it is very difficult to see her suffer she looks really tired but she still wags her tail whenever i come close to her so that gives me hope im hoping to find treatment for her diabeties as soon as possible.
Sorry, before my very end of my last sentence was cut off, it should have completed stating:
May your emptiness be refilled with the blessed memories that your wonderful animal gave you for those 11 years.
To the individual that made the hardest decision of putting their family member down in the best interest of being humane. Our 11 yr. old lab has diabetes and I/we will be facing the unthinkable as you had to do. It is very difficult keeping her diabetes in check, especially when she has such difficulty with her hind quarters and constant panting. It's one hell of a catch 22. We are besides ourselves watching her starting to deteriorate. I can only say you made the most courageous decision as it will be the most difficult for us when that day creeps upon us. My heart goes out to you as I/we will despise the day we will have to make that horrific decision as you all had to make. I am sure your dog appreciated the decision you made on his behalf so as not to deal with the agony as you described. It's that fine line of when we're being selfish and not thinking of their best interest.
May your emptiness be refilled with the blessed memories that your wonderful animal gave you for those 1
It has been a year since we put our dog down for diabetes. I didnt realize someone had commented on our decision to put him down. There's always a fine line you walk when trying to decide the fate of your loving loyal companion, if they could just talk, right? Well, that isnt going to ever happen, so you have to make the best decision you can based on many factors like the current symptoms, future symptoms, quality of life, and of course the pain and suffering. Of course I didnt want to put him down, I was sick to death for weeks, and still feel hurt about it. I cried the hardest in my life at that moment. I didnt want to let him go, but the vet couldnt do much else and he was in pain. My suggestion to all is get regular your pet checkups, and understand that the life span of a dog or any pet for that matter is not going to be the same as a human. He had a good run at 11 years and I feel in my heart that we did all we could.
my friends dog mite have it, after i have just read all these comments above i think it might be we are going to book her in the vets and see wat they can do about it hopefully she will be okaii lets hope so as i luv her and don't want anything to happen to her luv u jessie xxxx
my dog is diabetic he drinks alot and always want to eat we feed him raw meat with vegtables and he loves it. we give him insaline and it helps him. i really love him and i dont want any thing to happen to him.
i AM SO UPSET. MY POM IS IN THE FINAL STAGES OF DIABETES, SO SAYS THE VET. HOWEVER, I THINK ITS WORTH TRYING TO HELP HIM. HE MEANS SO MUCH TO US. MAYBE I AM BEING SELFISH BUT I LOVE THAT LITTLE THING SO MUCH AND MY FAMILY IS SO HURT. THE VET SAID HE MAY NOT MAKE IT TO CHRISTMAS. WE GOT JOEY ALMOST 11 YEARS AGO FOR MY FATHER WHO IS HOME BOUND DUE TO ILLNESS. I HAVE READ SO MANY THINGS AND I AM VERY CONFUSED. WHAT CAN WE REALLY DO TO HELP OUR BABY. HE ONLY SHOWS THE SIGNS OF DRINKING ALOT OF WATER AND TINKLES ALOT. MAYBE,A LITTLE MORE TIRED THAN HE USED TO BE. HE STILL JUMPS AROUND AND BARKS AT THE CATS, AND HE PLAYS. i DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. GOD BLESS ALL OF OUR PETS.
i AM SO UPSET. MY POM IS IN THE FINAL STAGES OF DIABETES, SO SAYS THE VET. HOWEVER, I THINK ITS WORTH TRYING TO HELP HIM. HE MEANS SO MUCH TO US. MAYBE I AM BEING SELFISH BUT I LOVE THAT LITTLE THING SO MUCH AND MY FAMILY IS SO HURT. THE VET SAID HE MAY NOT MAKE IT TO CHRISTMAS. WE GOT JOEY ALMOST 11 YEARS AGO FOR MY FATHER WHO IS HOME BOUND DUE TO ILLNESS. I HAVE READ SO MANY THINGS AND I AM VERY CONFUSED. WHAT CAN WE REALLY DO TO HELP OUR BABY. HE ONLY SHOWS THE SIGNS OF DRINKING ALOT OF WATER AND TINKLES ALOT. MAYBE,A LITTLE MORE TIRED THAN HE USED TO BE. HE STILL JUMPS AROUND AND BARKS AT THE CATS, AND HE PLAYS. i DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. GOD BLESS ALL OF OUR PETS.