Worried About Canine Diabetes? Signs to Lookout For

As much as we want to wrap our furry friends up in cotton wool and protect them from all the health risks and problems in the world, it’s not something we can realistically do. It’s heartbreaking to see your pet suffering with a health problem, but by doing your research and knowing the signs to look out for when it comes to the most common issues, you can do your best to reduce your pet’s suffering and help them live a long and happy life.

Diabetes is one of the most common problems across the planet; not only in dogs but in humans and other animals too. There are several different types of diabetes, but dogs tend to most commonly suffer from diabetes mellitus. Whilst no type of diabetes can be cured, it can be successfully managed. In order to do that, early detection is vital.

Being diabetes aware means ensuring that your dog has a healthy lifestyle in general, e.g. a varied and healthy diet and has plenty of exercises, but sometimes there may be a genetic distortion or other risk factors that still cause diabetes to develop. By being aware of the symptoms, you can get your pet the help he or she needs, and from there the condition can simply be managed.

The main symptoms of diabetes to look out for are:

• Your dog seems to be thirsty a lot of the time, despite having a normal amount of water – If your dog seems always thirsty, and their water bowl is regularly empty, it could be a sign of diabetes.

• Your dog needs to urinate more often – As a direct result of the extra water your dog is drinking, he or she may need to go outside and pee more often, or they might not be able to hold it and may have the odd accident indoors. This extra urination can also be down to the body trying to get rid of the extra glucose (sugar) their body is producing as a result of the diabetes

• You notice they’re losing weight – There are many reasons for a dog to lose weight, but you should always check it out with your vet. If your dog is eating normally and they’re still losing weight, it could be a sign of diabetes.

• Your dog seems hungrier than normal – Diabetes may make your dog feel hungrier than normal because the cells within their body aren’t getting the sugar (glucose) they require for healthy function and appetite.

These are the standard symptoms to look out for and the ones which, if you detect early enough, should result in a management plan being put in place. However, when diabetes is advanced, it can be harder to deal with. If you notice that your dog is displaying the above symptoms (or has been for a while) and then becomes lethargic, seems down or depressed, lacks energy, loses their appetite or begins vomiting, head to see your vet as a matter of urgency.

By being diabetes aware, you and your family can help your pooch stay healthier for longer.