Canine Diabetes Symptoms/Treatment: Diabetes mellitus is more common in overweight dogs, but insulin tre

Diabetes is a common ailment in dogs, it seems to be more common in obese dogs and there are some breeds that seem to be predisposed to diabetes mellitus, those breeds are: Poodles, Schnauzers, Keeshounds, Cairn Terriers, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels, and Beagles. A diagnosis of diabetes sounds scary, it is scary, but it is not a death sentence. Diabetic dogs can live for years once their blood sugars are regulated. Don't feel that diabetes equals euthanasia, because it doesn't have to.

What is diabetes? Cells in the pancreas make the hormone insulin, if the cells stop producing enough insulin or if the cells in certain body tissues become resistant to the action of insulin, Diabetes mellitus will be the result. Diabetic animals are unable to control their blood sugar, they have hyperglycemia (blood sugar is to high). The cause of the disease is a mystery but chronic pancreatitis and heredity have been suggested as possible causes.

Symptoms: Symptoms include but are not limited to: Drinking more, urinating more, weight loss, increased appetite, dehydration, and sudden cataract formation. If diabetes remains uncontrolled the animal may become ketotic - cells begin to use fat as fuel for energy production, ketone bodies then begin to accumulate in the blood. If your dog is ketotic it may have these additional symptoms: depression, weakness, vomiting, rapid breathing, and the breath may have an odor of acetone to it. If your dog has any of these symptoms see your veterinarian immediately.

Diagnosis: Diagnosing diabetes is done through a series of blood tests and urine tests. Your veterinarian will want to check your pets blood sugar, normal levels for a dog will be 70 - 150 mg/dl, a diabetic dogs blood sugar will be greater then 200 mg/dl. Your veterinarian will check your dogs urine for glucose, a diabetic dog will be spilling glucose into its urine. These tests are necessary to rule out other diseases that have similar symptoms to diabetes.

Treatment for Diabetes: The treatment for diabetes in dogs is similar to the treatment for diabetes in humans, through diet and insulin therapy. Your dog will need to be kept on a strict regimen of feedings and insulin injections. Your dog will probably be switched to a diet that is high in fiber and complex carbohydrates, like Science Diet w/d or r/d, your veterinarian will probably recommend a diet to use.

This kind of a diet will help avoid elevations of glucose after eating and help with regulation of blood glucose. Insulin therapy is done through injections that are given under the skin. Insulin needs to be stored in the refrigerator, if exposed to direct sunlight or warm temperatures it can become damaged and ineffective.

The insulin should be rolled gently in your hands (never shaken) before each use. Insulin is drawn up in syringes that are made specifically for that type of insulin, generally you draw up more then what is needed and tap the syringe (just like on ER) and expel any air that is in the syringe. Make sure what is left in the syringe is the exact amount of insulin prescribed with no air. The injection is made under the skin, first tent the skin with one hand then insert the needle horizontally with the other hand making sure the needle does not go through your tent. Push the plunger in and remove the needle. The syringe used for insulin has a small needle, most dogs are not bothered by the needle at all.

Change your injection site with each injection. If you give the injection in the same spot your dog may start to build up scar tissue and the insulin will not be properly absorbed by the body. Do not reuse your syringes, you could cause an infection, also do not use syringes that have been washed with cleansers. Your veterinarian will teach you how to give the injections and how to properly handle and store the insulin.

Additional Information: Your dog will need regular blood glucose checks to ensure it is properly regulated. Your pet will need insulin for the rest of its life. This does not mean you do not get to have a life outside of your pets diabetes but you will definitely need a schedule. It helps if there is only one caretaker per household other wise it may get confusing as to who gave the insulin, also a lot of families mark on a piece of notebook paper or a calender when they give the injection so they know whether or not they gave it. Sadly this disease is deadly if left untreated.

Apr 29, 2008 3:12 PM

Guest :

We just found out our 8yr female chocolate lab was diabetes. In Nov 08 she weighed 96lbs., current weight is 74.5lbs. Vet told us to cut back on food which we did. Since 4-24 she has been eating but vomiting, drinking water excessivley for about 3 wks. Vet has kept her 1 nite, levels of sugar HIGH, definite pacreatitis,levels in Liver high. We are just not financially able to keep w/ all tests, overnites, insulin, possible ultra sounds on liver, and special food. We are waiting 1 more day for more results of urine tests... We are contemplated bringing her home w/ pain Meds. and let pass on her own in her own space. We feel its horrible about this but what else can we do??????????

Apr 30, 2008 12:13 PM

Guest :

I am so sorry about your dog! MIne too just got diagnosed. He was a 75 pound Australian Blue Heeler. WE left on vacation for 2 weeks and when we got back he didn't seem right so after three days of not eating and a loss of 17 pounds! we knew something was wrong. Thank goodness my vet tested him for diabetes. It took two or three days to get his blood sugar stabilized. We had to move him to a vet emergency care place Sunday night ($575) and then bring him back to the vet for observation Monday. Monday evening they let us take him home and taught us how to give him injections. We began giving him 5 units twice a day on Monday night. We also changed his food to Science Diet w/d to maintain his weight (he should be about 55-60 NOT 75!). Now I have to teach my husband NOT to give the dog bones and scraps from table!!! That will be another hurdle. We have to take him Friday to be tested for Cushings disease. I know what you mean about the money, it has cost us almost $1500 so far. I hope your vet could perhaps give you a payment plan or something. He CAN live with diabetes! Good luck to you!

May 4, 2008 12:20 AM

Guest :

I am so sad. We just had to put our dog down today. We saw that she was getting more thirsty the past couple of weeks and she was not walking as far without gettin tired. We took her to the vet on Tuesday of this week, the vet took some blood and we found out on Wednesday that her blood sugar was 420. For some reason on Tuesday she started to vomit and we thought she was nervous going to see the vet. Wed and Thurs she would not eat and Thursday she kept wanting to drink but would vomit it up afterwards. We took her in Friday morning and the vet said her sugar was off the charts (686 >) and her WBC was 26,000 she was getting week. She was walking slowly and wanted to go home. They put in IV in her, gave her insulin and antiboitics but by the next day she was just laying there on her side. She was breathing heavy and would sometimes let out a moan. We were dumbfounded by what happened so fast. How could diabetes take over so fast. We didn't even have time to treat her. After reading the article we see she must of had diabetes for a while. We seen that she was drinking but not as much as my other dog that had diabetes. It wasn't excessive but a little bit more. Now reading the symptoms she had the symptoms for a couple of weeks but we didn't know. Now in hindsight she was ketotic on Tuesday when we took her in when she was vomiting. We didn't know that was what it was. From Tuesday to Friday she lost 10 lbs. She was 84 lbs at Thanksgiving, 70 this past Tuesdy and 60 on Friday. My husband and I are/were dumbfounded by how fast this all took place. After reading your article we now know she had it for a couple of weeks and this past week she was in the final stages. I'm sorry for rambling but we a hurting so munch. I miss her.