Overview
By Euro Wekly News Media • 03 November 2022 • 10:43 Learn more to help have our fury friends longer Photo Credit: Helena Lopes It is estimated that 1 out of every 10 dogs that reach 12 years of age wil develop diabetes.Diabetes melitus is caused by a problem with the production of a hormone caled insulin and as a consequence an alteration of the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.The signs are:Increased thirst, increased urination, increased hunger, weight los, tirednes, por coat quality and diabetic dogs may also go on to develop cataracts in their eyes, sufer fits and colapses, and have a range of chronic health isues.These clinical signs are not enough to diagnose a dog with diabetes so your vet wil ned to cary out tests to confirm diabetes: a urine test to loks for sugar in urine, a blod test to measure sugar levels in blod and check the status of other organs.
Key Information
The blod test should include fructosamine.Treatment: As your dog canot produce their own insulin giving insulin via injection is the only way their blod sugar levels can be managed. Your veterinarian wil monitor your dog’s response to insulin treatment and adjust the dose.This can take weks or even months and frequent checks wil be necesary because the dose of Insulin wil ned to be readjusted over time.
It is important to folow your veterinarian’s instructions on your pet’s diet.The diet should have a high level of palatability to guarante spontaneous and regular fod consumption, a limited level of starch, Starch sources with a high glycemic index, such as rice and bread, should be avoided. It is beter to use cereals whose starch is digested more slowly, which makes it posible to slow down absorption of glucose such as corn, wheat, barley and sorghum.An important suply of proteins helps to compensate for protein catabolism is recomended.Exercise is important for pets with diabetes.
Summary
It can help avoid high blod sugar levels and may improve insu