There is no question that people love their pets with a passion. This is why it's so important to take your pet’s health very seriously. Canine diabetes is one thing to always be on the lookout for if you are a dog owner. But how can you tell if your dog may have diabetes?
Although diabetes is very well known within the human race, people don't often think about the fact that their animals could also be suffering from this potentially fatal condition. Dogs are at much greater risk for recurrent infections and other complications if their diabetes is not managed properly. For instance, they can get the same kinds of nervous system disorders and blindness that occurs in humans.
Diabetes happens when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or is unable to use the insulin that is being produced. Because the body's cells won't properly use the blood sugar, this results in elevated levels of glucose running through the blood. Most of the time, dogs will exhibit certain symptoms of the disease. If you notice any of these, report them to your veterinarian immediately so that your dog can receive proper treatment.
Frequent urination is one of the most common symptoms because the kidneys are trying to flush the excess blood sugar out of the body. Excessive thirst is another common symptom of diabetes in the canine population. This is because of the increased urination happening as the kidneys try to get rid of the excess blood sugar.
Another symptom is increased appetite even though the dog may be losing weight. The cells use blood sugar to produce energy. When they don't have enough insulin, the body can't use glucose as a source of energy. This makes the body think that it needs it more food.
Finally, fatigue and/or weakness can be another symptom of canine diabetes. This is because dogs may be dehydrated which causes them to be more lethargic than normal.
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