How Do You Treat a Dog's Diabetes?

Dogs are prone to developing diabetes. Every pet owner is always concerned about their animals. The early detection of diabetes symptoms in your dog can save their lives. Continue reading to find out how to treat dog diabetes.

What causes diabetes in dogs?

Diabetes affects pets in a similar way to humans: they can't produce enough insulin. In addition, their bodies may not be able to utilise insulin properly.

The pancreas produces insulin to allow glucose in the blood to enter cells. Without insulin, the body cannot function correctly. Dogs can suffer from both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, just like humans.

What are the symptoms of diabetes in dogs?

Animals with diabetes experience similar symptoms and complications to humans. Check out the following symptoms that might indicate your dog has diabetes.

These symptoms include:

- Excessive thirst and urination

- Weight loss, even though your dog may have an increase in appetite

- Lower appetite

- Breakdown of body fat and production of ketoacidosis

- Complications associated with diabetes

- Pungent breath with a chemical smell

How to treat dog diabetes

For both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, insulin is usually recommended as the best treatment. We can prescribe you specific insulin. If your dog has diabetes, you should discuss with us how to best prepare its insulin as well as its necessary amount.

How to treat dog diabetes at home

In order for animals to live a long and healthy life, it is crucial to monitor their diabetes closely.

When you manage diabetes in your dog, they typically lead a normal life like having a manageable weight, being more alert and active, having a normal appetite, having good vision, and having regular urination and thirst. Blood sugar in animals is mainly controlled in 3 parts: exercise, diet, and blood glucose monitoring.

Learn how to treat diabetes in cats and dogs in our previous blog post here:

Treat Diabetes in Cats & Dogs

Diet

Diabetes-ridden dogs and cats should eat canned or dried food. The important thing is to stay away from semi-moist foods because they have high sugar content. A qualified veterinarian can provide advice and additional information about when to feed a dog taking insulin.

Learn more about dog food in our previous blog post here:

Dog Food

Blood Glucose Monitoring

Your veterinarian can determine the type and dosage of insulin your dog needs by accurately monitoring their blood glucose levels. Some dog owners learn to identify this by themselves without going to a vet.

Exercise to treat dog diabetes

Excess fat is often the cause of insulin resistance in animals that are overweight or obese. Losing weight and lowering blood sugar levels can be achieved through regular exercise. It is most effective to exercise your dog at the same intensity and for the same length of time every day. If you exercise for too long or vigorously, your dog's blood sugar levels might drop too low.

Keeping pets' blood sugar levels at a normal state is the most effective way to manage diabetes in them. Keeping the levels at a proper level can be equally as important as avoiding too high or too low ranges.

At first, it can be difficult to care for a dog with diabetes. Over time, however, you will become used to these changes. Your extra attention and care for them might even strengthen your relationship.

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This blog post was written on behalf of Vet Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.