Diabetes is the most commonly occurring disease in humans and dogs. According to research, about 10% of dogs are diagnosed with diabetes every year. This complex illness develops unpleasant symptoms, and a canine most likely lives with medication and insulin shots for the rest of life. How do Dogs get Diabetes?
Diabetes is a rapidly occurring disease in adult and senior dogs, and this ratio is increasing year by year. According to vets, many factors can lead to the risk of your dog getting diabetes. But with careful management, you can prevent or control canine diabetes.
How do Dogs get Diabetes?
Generally, Diabetes is all about glucose production and how the body deals with it. All body cells use glucose as a primary source of energy. Canine diabetes usually occurs by a deficiency of insulin in the dog’s body or inadequate response to insulin and the body.
Glucose is considered the primary fuel for the Cells. Insulin is responsible for carrying the glucose component from the food to the cell.
If your puppy lacks insulin in the body, the glucose will get into the cell without insulin. The glucose will build up in the blood, which causes hyperglycemia. Such a condition leads the canine to rise in blood sugar level known as canine diabetes.
Before discussing the causes of diabetes in pets, first, know about the types of diabetes in dogs.
Types of Diabetes in Dogs:
Like humans, There are two types of diabetes in dogs.
Canine Type 1 Diabetes :
Type 1 diabetes mostly occurs due to the pancreas fails to produce insulin. In Type 1 canine diabetes, the pancreas is unable to produce insulin properly and causes insulin deficiency in the body. Without insulin, the glucose can’t get into the body’s cells and unable to produce energy.
Type 1 dogs diabetes is the worst stage of the illness and consider untreated diabetes, a pet can survive only with insulin shots. You can help your canine in this illness with a proper diet.
Canine Type 2 Diabetes:
This type of diabetes is usually caused by food and obesity. Eating too much food that contains carbohydrates and weight gain may lead a canine to Type 2 diabetes.
Eating such foods increase the production of insulin in the body, but the body becomes resistant to it and raises the blood sugar level. Type 2 diabetes is reversible and can be treated by controlling the food and with proper exercise.
Causes of Diabetes in dogs:
Just like Diabetes is humans, no one exactly knows what causes diabetes in dogs. However, there are some factors that are considered the leading cause of canine Diabetes.
1. Food and Diet:
Diet keeps a leading rule in canine Type 2 diabetes. Improper diet and overeating of diet that contain numerous amount of carbohydrates and fats lead a pet to obesity, metabolic syndrome, pancreatitis and increase in blood sugar level.
2. Genetically modified food (GMO):
GMO, also known as Genetically modified foods are bioengineered foods produced from organisms while changing in the DNA with genetic engineering.
GMO food contains toxic ingredients such as Glyphosate herbicide, and Bt-toxin that can put a dog to extremely dangerous health issues includes diabetes.
3. Genetics and Breed:
According to vets, genetic play a leading role in the development of many humans and pets diseases. Diabetes is not limited to breed. It can suffer any breed includes mixed breed or pure breed. However, certain breeds are more exposed to the illness than others.
4. Age:
The age of the dogs is directly dependent on many canine illnesses include canine Diabetes. Research shows the ratio of Diabetes is more in adult and senior dogs as compared to puppies.
A huge ratio of dogs is diagnosed by the age of 5 years. Puppies can also suffer from the disease, but this ratio is very less.
5. Gender:
Veterinarian health researchers found that female and especially female unspayed dogs are more likely to develop diabetes than male dogs.
6. Pancreatitis:
Pancreatitis in dogs occur when the pancreas becomes inflamed and swollen. The purpose of the pancreas is to digest food and regulate the blood sugar level.
A dog suffering from pancreatitis, beta cells in the pancreas became unable to maintain the blood sugar and insulin level in the body and develops Diabetes. A study shows that 25% of diabetic dogs suffering from Diabetes.
7. Metabolic Syndrome:
Metabolic syndrome is considered among the main causes of type 2 diabetes in humans and pets. A dog suffering from metabolic syndrome develops insulin resistance in the body and can lead a canine to other health issues such as obesity, hypertension, stroke, and can affect the blood vessels.
8. Obesity:
Obesity is considered the gat way for many illnesses. Many of them could be life threaten. Excess weight gain causes health issues such as heart disease, arthritis, an increase in blood pressure, and more.
Fat cells secrete hormones that lead to a chronic pro-inflammatory state that exposes the pet body to easily catch illnesses such as pancreatitis and Diabetes.
9. Cushing’s Diseases:
In Cushing’s disease, the pet immune system became week and compromised, and the body becomes more exposed to catch the disease. In Cushing’s disease, the body has no control to maint the body function, such as blood sugar level and insulin control, and overproduces steroids which can lead to Diabetes.
10. Other Diseases:
Certain health issues such as Autoimmune disorder, viral disease, kidney and liver disease, hypertension, etc., make way for Diabetes.
11. Medications:
Certain medications include Antibiotics and others used for a long time, can cause Diabetes. Self-medication and overuse of medicine badly affect the pancreas and immune system of the canine.
What breeds of dogs are prone to diabetes?
- Bichons Frises
- Samoyeds
- Miniature Schnauzers
- Beagles
- Poodles
- Dachshunds
- Australian Terriers
- Fox Terriers
- Keeshonds
- Puli
- Cairn Terriers
- Pugs
- Alaskan Malamute
- Cairn Terrier
- Samoyed
- Schipperke
- Finnish Spitz
- German Shepherd Dog
Signs and symptoms of Diabetes in Dogs:
How do you know if your dog has diabetes? Below we are listing some of the common symptoms includes early symptoms of diabetes in dogs:
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- weight loss
- Weakness or fatigue
- Decrease in Eyesight
- Irregular Breathing
- Tiredness
- Urinary tract infection
- Restlessness
- Appetite changes
- Vomiting
How do you prevent Diabetes in Dogs?
- Give a healthy balanced diet and avoid kibble, canned foods.
- Feed in moderation and offer a food low in carbohydrates and fats.
- Make a proper exercise schedule to eliminate obesity.
- Keep the dogs hydrated by providing plenty of water.
- Reduce stress and fear.
- Make a routine Vet checkup.
- Avoid self and over medication.
What food causes Diabetes in Dogs?
What should a diabetic dog Not Eat? Food and diet are one of the leading cause of type 2 diabetes in dogs. According to veterinarians and pet Nutritionist, overeating of food regularly rich in carbohydrates, fats, sugar, and starch lead a dog to diabetes.
GMO, also known as genetically modified foods, contains Glyphosate herbicide and Bt-toxin that can cause diabetes in dogs. Kibble dogs food and grain-free foods are also on the list of food that causes canine diabetes.
FAQ:
Can you reverse Diabetes in Dogs?
Unfortunately, Diabetes is among non-reversible diseases. However, some cases are reported in which dogs successfully recovered from Type 2 canine diabetes.
You can control your dog diabetes with proper diet and care. If you properly manage the diet and exercise, you can prevent your pup type 2 diabetes from developing into type 1.
What causes sudden Diabetes in dogs?
The Causes of canine diabetes are many. Many cases reported in the united states about sudden diabetes in dogs. According to Veterinarians and dogs, health researchers that diabetes attacks the canine earlier, but it takes some time to appear the signs and symptoms.
There is no sudden diabetes in dogs. It comes with a process and a lack of pet owner knowledge about care and an unhealthy diet. Food and diet such as GMO foods and foods containing a high amount of sugar, carbohydrates, and fats lead to a sudden cause of diabetes in canine.
What happens to a dog with Untreated Diabetes?
Canine diabetes needs proper and adequate treatment. If a dog is left untreated, the illness might become life-threatening and may lead to severe health issues.
Untreated dogs develop symptoms like weakness, fatigue, lethargy, neuropathy, ketoacidosis, malnutrition. Dehydration and ends with death.
Can I test my dog for Diabetes at Home?
Yes, you can test your dog’s diabetes at home with effortless methods. You can use two methods to test your canine diabetes.
- By Glucose Test Strips
- By Glucometer
First of all, you need to take a blood sample of your pet. Use a sterile hypodermic needle or lancet and Quickly cut a tiny clean, hairless part of your pup ear. Collect a drop of the blood and put clean cotton on the canine ear.
Canine Diabetes Test Via Glucose Test Strips:
Placed the drop of the blood on the one end of the Canine Blood glucose test strips and give some time. After a while, you can check the stripe color suggestion and check with the container to diagnose the illness.
Canine Diabetes Test Via By Glucometer:
Canine Glucometer contains device and strip. After taking the blood sample, a drop of blood is placed on one end of the strips and then placed the strip into the Glucometer. The device will show the result of blood glucose concentration.
Is there an insulin pill for dogs?
No, till now, there is no Insulin pill available for dogs. Insulin can only be used with injection shots. The FDA has announced Medicine ProZinc (protamine zinc recombinant insulin for dogs. This Insulin was already approved for use in cats. Before the Approval by the FDA, the veterinarian often used this Insulin off the labels for the canine.
Can you reverse type one Diabetes?
No, Type one diabetes is considered the worse stage and can not be reversed. A dog suffering from type 1 diabetes needs to use insulin shots. However, Type 2 diabetes can be reversed with timely treatment and care, but it requires continuous treatment and not curable when the type 2 illness is diagnosed late.
Can you treat a Diabetic dog without Insulin?
The use of Insulin depends on the type of diabetes. Type one (Mellitus diabetes) can not be treated without Insulin. Type one Diabetes required two daily insulin shots. However, type 2 diabetes didn’t need Insulin. It can be treated with other medications.
Do all Diabetic dogs go blind?
Loss of vision is the most common symptoms in Diabetic dogs. Dogs suffering from diabetes lose the vision gradually, and in severe condition, dogs Go blind. With proper treatment, you can prevent your dog from blindness.
How often do you feed a dog with Diabetes?
Diabetic dogs need proper treatment and can be protected from the severity of the illness. According to pet nutritionist, dogs with diabetes need to be fed twice a day. Make sure to feed only a healthy diet and avoid food containing sugar, carbohydrates, and a tremendous amount of fat.
How can I lower my dog’s blood sugar Naturally?
Pet owners of a diabetic dog need to control and keep lowering the canine’s blood sugar level. An increase in the blood sugar level may lead the pet to complicated heal issues.
To lower your canine sugar level, you need to focus on the diet of your puppy. Always make sure to feed healthy food and avoid food that contains sugar. Make a proper schedule of expertise for your pet and prevent obesity.
Remember, too much exercise and focusing on one food can lower the sugar level to the extreme and leads to hypoglycemia. Always focus on the normal level.
Can I use a human Glucometer for a Dog?
No, Human Glucometer can not be used for dogs. Human Glucometer is designed to calculate the human glucose level in human blood. Pet has different glucose composition in the blood, so it can be only checked accurately by using Dog glucometer.
Is Rice suitable for Diabetic Dogs?
Yes and No, according to pet nutritionist, diabetic dogs can eat a tiny amount of white rice for health issues such as upset stomach and other GI Upset. But overfeeding is not allowed.
Please remember that rice contains sugar, so if your canine is in the severe stage of diabetes, don’t offer him rice. Chose a safe alternative instead.
Is shaking a sign of Diabetes in Dogs?
Shaking is a sign of many canine health problems. One of the leading cause of shaking in dogs is decreased blood sugar level, known as hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is common, occurring health issues in dogs suffering from diabetes.
Diabetic dogs predominantly suffer from Urinary tract infection, which leads to continuous shaking. In shaking in small dogs, breeds are common and sometimes indicates health issues that need concern.
How long does it take for a dog to go blind from diabetes?
With the health issues, the majority of diabetic dogs gradually suffered from Cataracts. Cataracts is the appearance of a dot that starts from a tiny dot and then cover all the lease. A dug suffer from these eye problems gradually lose vision and become blind.
On an average dog, cataracts develop in 5-6 months from the time of diagnosis, but in diabetic dogs, the illness spread more rapidly and take about 48 t0 56 hours to make a dog completely blind.
Why do diabetic dogs pee in the House?
An increase in thirst is among the main signs and symptoms found in diabetic dogs. The ill dogs drink water a lot and also pee a lot. If you notice your dogs are peeing in the housing with a bit of break, then take your canine to the vet for the checkup. Peeing frequently is a sign of diabetes.
The second reason a frequent dog urination is the response of the body to high blood sugar level. Read more How long can dog hold their Pee?
Is Peanut butter Good for Diabetic dogs?
No, Peanut butter contains a rich amount of natural fats and protein, overfeeding of which are the leading cause of obesity and pancreatitis in dogs. A small amount of peanut may not harm your canine, but if your pup is suffering from diabetes, then you must be cared for complete.
Are carrots good for dogs with Diabetes?
Yes, diabetic dogs can eat carrots in moderation. Carrots can add health benefits for a diabetic dog. According to a pet, nutritionist carrot is safe for obese and dogs with diabetes.
Carrots are low in fat and low in calories and contain other essential nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B8, copper, pantothenic acid, iron, folate and manganese.
