It is estimated that 1 in every 300 dogs have been both diagnosed and undiagnosed with diabetes mellitus. This is a serious disease that affects the body’s ability to process sugars throughout cells. So what exactly happens on a cellular to my dog if they have a diabetes condition? Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which your dog cannot control their blood sugar levels. Once they have eaten, the sugar from that food enters their bloodstream. However, the sugar just sits there, stagnant, and is unable to circulate throughout their system. Insulin is usually produced in a healthy dog to move the sugar into the cells such as muscle cells and brain cells for an example.
Without the use of insulin to move sugars out of the bloodstream and into the cells, lethargy will result and this is just one of many concerns! Untreated diabetes can cause cells around the body to starve which can be fatal. As a short-term result, an undiagnosed dog with diabetes can lead to increased thirst and hunger. But do not worry. This post is not meant to worry owners, it is meant to show some easy ways to be there for your pup who has been diagnosed with diabetes.
So what are some signs of low blood sugar in dogs? Some signs include being unsteady in their stance, hunger, vomiting, vacant, twitchy, and even collapsing. If this happens the best thing to do is rub something very sugary like honey or maple syrup into their gums and take them to the vet right away.
So what exactly increases the chances of my dog developing diabetes? I wish there was a clear-cut answer to this question, but unfortunately, there is not. There are some factors that can contribute to having a higher likelihood of developing diabetes, but to say that A contributes to B because of reason C would only be a lie. Having an obese dog, a female dog, dogs over five years of age, dogs that have had a condition called pancreatitis, and unneutered dogs (hormones can affect diabetes) are more prone to developing diabetes.
Some easy ways to tell if your dog is bordering the line of becoming overweight would be to become familiar with their bodies to begin with. Get familiar with the look and feel of your dogs. So how can we cure diabetes in dogs? Well, the short answer is you can’t. However, with a strict diet, a strict exercise regimen, and proper insulin injections your fluffy friend can live a healthy and happy life.
How to tell if they are overweight? The good news is that there are some early warning signs to tell if your dog is becoming overweight. First, run your hands along your dog’s sides; you should be able to feel the ribs and the spine without having to push through the fat. You can check to see if your dog has a nice tummy tuck around their waist. Is there any fat build-up at the base of their tail? If so, this is an indication that your dog may already be overweight. Look at your dog from above and you should be able to see a nice hourglass figure and tucked tummy. Make sure you know their ideal weight as well as having the support of your veterinarian team.
Let’s look into more detail on how to treat diabetes in dogs. With insulin injections, they are typically given 12 hours apart at set times every day. With diabetic dogs, feeding can become a hassle. They need to be fed a set amount with a set food at the same time every day. As far as what brand and type of dog food is diabetic friendly there is no need to worry I have already done the research for you! Nulo dog company started up in 2004/2005. A fun fact about this company is that the CEO, Michael Landa, created this company after his dog walking clients would constantly come to him asking for insulin advice. He was amazed at how much diabetes has been affecting dogs and decided to create a company that catered to diabetic dogs. Nulo is a direct response to obesity and diabetes in dogs. Nulo is a grain-free diet that consists of 80-85% meat. They make sure it is low in carbs and low glycemic. Lastly, be sure to have a consistent exercise schedule. This will help to lower blood sugar levels. Lastly, be sure to keep walks at the same time each day!