How To Spot The Warning Signs Of Dog Diabetes

While fur babies bring a lot of joy to families, good dog moms and dads need to look out for their health. For example, there’s a ton of things you can do if your pup is overweight. But diabetes can be extremely life threatening. So, knowing what to look for can help you get your pet the help they need quickly.

Similar to humans, diabetes in dogs means their body can’t make or use insulin the right way. Think of insulin as a key that lets sugar into the body’s cells for energy. Without it, sugar builds up in the blood and the cells are left with no power.

You should watch for a few common signs in your dog. They might start drinking a lot more water and need to pee all the time, which can sometimes lead to accidents in the house. You might also see them losing weight even though they eat the same amount or more food.

Often, they act very tired and lazy, with less energy to play or go for walks. This happens because their body cannot use the sugar from food, so it starts burning its own fat and muscle for fuel.

Why You Should Not Ignore It

If dog diabetes is ignored, it can become very dangerous, per The American Kennel Club. Actually, their website notes that there are two forms of the illness. The one is Insulin-deficiency diabetes when pancreatic damage might be present. And the other one is when they have Insulin-resistance diabetes, which is mostly covered in this article.

Your dog could get very sick, start vomiting, become weak, or stop eating. Obviously, if they reach that stage of dog diabetes, you should be heading to the veterinary clinic. Untreated, your pup could get cataracts in their eyes, which often leads to blindness.

What Can The Vet Do?

Lots of dogs hate going to the vet, but if they get sick you need to get them there anyway. Once you see a professional, they will probably do simple blood and urine tests to check for high sugar levels. If it’s positive for insulin imbalance, then you will be told how to treat your furbaby.

Most diabetic dogs will need two insulin shots a day, which you can learn to give at home with their meals. Taking care of them also means feeding them the same healthy food at the same times every day and keeping their exercise routine steady.

Another tip is to try and always have Karo syrup on hand for emergencies. If your dog seems weak or shaky, rubbing a little on its gums can help. While dogs will need this care for life, with the right treatment, your diabetic pet can still live a full and happy life for many years

Of interest is that cats can get diabetes, but they might not need lifelong treatment for it.

Does your pup have diabetes? Let us know in the comments below, and remember to come back here often for all your pet health news, tips, and updates.