As in humans, diabetes is quite common in dogs.

Diabetes occurs when the levels of blood glucose are no longer regulated properly. The body uses glucose as an energy source, such as powering the brain and muscles. Normally blood glucose levels are carefully regulated.

Insulin is a hormone that controls many processes in the body including glucose levels. In diabetes, the body either stops making enough insulin or the body no longer responds properly to insulin (insulin resistance). The result of not enough insulin or insulin resistance is that the levels of blood glucose increase.

Find out;

• Which dogs are at a higher risk of getting diabetes?
• What are the symptoms and signs of diabetes?
  • Potential side effects of diabetes
  • Infections, especially urinary tract
  • Cataracts
  • Other side effects
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis
• How is diabetes diagnosed?
• Treatment of diabetes
  • Dogs with a diabetic crisis (ketoacidosis)
  • Treatment of any underlying disease
  • Diet
  • Exercise
  • Insulin
• Hypoglycemia, signs and treatment
• Causes of hypoglycemia
  • Too much insulin
  • Changes in food and/or exercise
  • Changes in insulin regime
  • Changes in dog
• Signs of hypoglycemia
• Treatment of hypoglycemia
• It is important to monitor a diabetic dog
  • Home glucose monitoring

Which dogs are at a higher risk of getting diabetes?

Female dogs have a higher incidence of diabetes than male dogs. Dogs can develop diabetes at any age, with the most common ages being between 6 and 9 years old.

Certain breeds seem to be at an increased risk of diabetes, these include pugs, Samoyeds, Poodles including Toy Poodles, and several other miniature breeds including Schnauzers. In some dog lines, within breeds, there seems to be a genetic component. In all the breeds and lines with an increased risk, diabetes often develops at a younger age.

Dogs that are overweight, or have had episodes of pancreatitis are at a higher risk for developing diabetes.

In addition to pancreatitis, other diseases that increase the risk of developing diabetes include Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism and certain cancers.

 
Next Page – Diabetes – Symptoms, Side Effects, Ketoacidosis & Diagnosis
 
[1]   [2]   [3]