If you have a dog with diabetes or are considering adopting one, here’s everything you need to know!
If you have a pet that you think might be diabetic, or that has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you may find yourself on a frantic search for information. While diabetes is a common disease that affects animals like cats, dogs, and horses as well as humans, treating a canine companion can be quite tricky. The symptoms of diabetes in dogs can be quite frightening if you don’t know what to expect. Symptoms can include increased thirst and urination, weight loss, increased appetite, lack of energy, depression, and vomiting, but aren’t limited to just these.
Diabetes must be diagnosed by a vet, but once you have a diagnosis, you still may need extra guidance. To that end, we’ve put together this brief guide to help you start learning how to keep your pet healthy and happy.
What Puts Your Dog At Risk?
Like with people, there are some risks that can increase your pets chance of developing diabetes, these include factors like obesity and repeated pancreatitis. However, there are far more different risks for dogs, including gender. If a female dog is left unspayed, they are far more likely to become diabetic as they age. Genetics may also play a factor in the disease as well as age, some health conditions, steroid medications, and Cushing’s disease.
How Is Dog Diabetes Treated
Depending on the type and severity of your dog’s condition, you may be able to minimize the effects by monitoring diet and exercise alone. Creating a balanced diet for diabetic dogs is critical to ensuring their wellbeing, some owners move to using new types of treats like carrots and other fruits and vegetables. Most diabetic dogs will need to have daily insulin shots as well, your vet will help you learn how to administer the shot, and it will quickly become a regular part of daily life.
Careful Monitoring
In most cases, it’s easy for a dog to live a full and healthy life even with a diabetes diagnosis, but it will take extra care from you. As an owner, you’ll need to take a far more active role in your dog’s life, but with the help of your vet, it can be a straightforward process.
Here at Mount Carmel Animal Hospital, We’ll Treat Your Pets Like Family!
Mount Carmel Animal Hospital has been serving the Northern Baltimore/Southern York community for over 30 years and is proud to be an independently operated, small animal practice committed to excellence in veterinary medicine and client service. From grooming to wellness services, along with Canine Life Skills Training Courses, and surgical procedures, we have the expertise that will best serve the needs of you and your pet. Contact us at 410-343-0200 and follow us on Facebook!