Canine Diabetes Mellitus
The pancreas is responsible for producing insulin which regulates the levels of glucose in the blood. Canine diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body doesn’t use the produced insulin properly.
Causes
This condition can be caused by various factors. Certain dog breeds naturally have an increased risk for developing canine diabetes mellitus. Also, different diseases such as pancreatitis and hyperadrenocorticism can cause your dog to develop diabetes. Canine diabetes mellitus can also occur as the result of prescription medications such as reproductive hormones and steroids.
Symptoms
Initial symptoms of canine diabetes mellitus include excessive thirst which leads to excessive urination. Your dog will also start to lose weight as fat and muscle starts to break down. The symptoms of canine diabetes mellitus get worse as the condition advances. Advanced symptoms include dehydration, anorexia, and increased onset of infections. Your dog may also become blind if cataracts develop over the eyes.
Diagnosis
In order to diagnose canine diabetes mellitus, the veterinarian will have to perform a physical exam of your dog and review the symptoms. A blood sample will also be sent to the laboratory to check blood sugar levels. A urine sample will also prove useful to check for levels of glucose.
Treatment
If your dog is diagnosed with canine diabetes mellitus, he will have to receive regular insulin shots. The amount of insulin that must be administered depends on your dog’s weight and the stage of the diabetes. Some dogs with canine diabetes mellitus receive short-range insulins which last between one and four hours. Medium-range insulins last from four to 24 hours and the long-range variety lasts from eight to 28 hours.
It may also be necessary to put your dog on a special diet. A diet high in protein and fiber is usually best. You should also make sure that the diet has few carbohydrates and fats. Dogs with canine diabetes mellitus also benefit from plenty of exercise.
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