Our
emotions often prevent the rational thought process that is necessary to make
good decisions on our animal companions when they become ill.
Herod,
a German Shepherd dog is a star in our neighborhood. Herod is patted by
everyone and pampered by his owner with special treats, a nook of his own to
loll about and regular visits to dog restaurants. Living indoors with a sedentary
lifestyle and no regular exercise, poor Herod has become a victim to diabetes.
It
appears that pets are going the way of humans and falling prey with unhealthy lifestyle,
poor feeding practices and lack of adequate exercise. Diabetes mellitus is increasing among dogs
and cats as well.
Researchers
estimate that one in 200 dogs will develop the disease. Fortunately, treatment
has made huge strides in recent years, and as a result, dogs with diabetes are
living longer, healthier lives.
Diabetes in simple phrase:
The
mechanism of diabetes is relatively simple to describe.
Just
as cars use gas for fuel, body cells run on a sugar called glucose. The body
obtains glucose by breaking down carbohydrates in the diet. Cells then extract
glucose from the blood with the help of insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas
in specialized cells called beta cells. (The pancreas, an organ situated behind
the stomach, produces several hormones.) In diabetes mellitus, cells don’t take
in enough glucose, which then builds up in the blood. As a result, cells starve
and organs bathed in sugary blood are damaged. Diabetes is not curable, but it
is treatable; with proper care, a dog with diabetes may live many happy years
after diagnosis.
Diabetes in Humans:
Humans are subject to essentially three kinds of diabetes.
By far the most common is Type 2, followed by Type 1 and
gestational diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes has typically been a disease of middle and
old age (though it is being seen increasingly in young people), and has two
causes: The beta cells don’t make enough insulin, or muscle cells resist
insulin’s help and don’t take in enough glucose (or both). As a result, blood
glucose levels climb.
Type 1 diabetes usually occurs when the immune system attacks
and destroys the beta cells, cutting off insulin production; the reason for
this attack is thought to be a combination of genetic predisposition plus
exposure to a trigger (research into possible triggers is ongoing). Glucose
then stays in the blood and, again, levels skyrocket. Roughly half of people
who have Type 1 diabetes develop it by age 20.
Gestational diabetes starts during pregnancy and is probably
caused by hormonal changes.
Diabetes in Dogs:
Let’s
flip the coin…
The
label your vet gives your dog’s diabetes isn't important. With good care, your companion can lead a
long, healthy life. A good treatment plan is what matters and what you should
do.
Treating
diabetes is as much an art as a science.
Diabetes Contrast in Humans and Dogs:
There
are pitfalls in trying to make the diabetes we see in dogs conform to the
terminology invented to describe diabetes in humans or in assuming that the causes
and treatments for the two should be the same.
In some ways, diabetes in dogs and humans are similar. But in many ways
they are not.
Several
forms of diabetes occur in dogs, but the one affecting your dog is most likely
Diabetes Mellitus (sugar diabetes). Pets
with diabetes mellitus all have problems utilizing the sugar in their blood
stream, either because their pancreas no longer produces enough insulin
(similar to Human Type I Diabetes) or because the insulin is not as effective
as it once was (similar to Human Type II Diabetes). There is little or no evidence that Type II
diabetes occurs in dogs.
Most
dogs that develop diabetes mellitus develop a condition similar to Type I
diabetes or humans (Insulin deficiency diabetes – IDD). That is, for one reason or another, their
pancreas no longer produces enough insulin.
Information on a dog’s Pancreas:
Your
dog’s pancreas is a small, light-pinkish organ that is nestled in the folds of
its small intestine. It is not very striking – one might mistake it for
ordinary abdominal fat. Although it is
quite small, the pancreas has two very important functions. One is to produce
enzymes that allow your pet to digest food.
The
other is to produce a hormone (Insulin) that regulates how your dog’s body
utilizes sugar (Glucose).
Glucose
is the main fuel of all animal cells.
Most of the body’s glucose manufactured in the pet’s liver or released
from recent carbohydrate meals.
Many
types of cells form the pet’s pancreas.
The ones that are important in understanding diabetes occur in small
islands scattered throughout the pancreas (Islets of Langerhams). These particular insulin-secreting cells are
called ß (beta) cells.
Symptoms:
When your dog
doesn’t want to eat and is throwing up, you hope it’s a passing thing. Many
times, it is – but it could be a condition called ‘Pancreatitis’, if so, he’ll
need treatment. Pancreatitis can come on all at once and then pass, or it can
stay for longer periods.
·
Often a dog loses appetite.
·
Vomits.
·
Has belly pain.
Other Symptoms:
§ A fever or
low body temperature.
·
Diarrhea.
·
No energy.
·
A hard time breathing.
·
Dehydration.
·
Irregular heartbeat.
Prevention:
Watch your dog’s diet. Make sure he doesn't have too much high fat food.
Don’t cave to his pleading puppy-dog
eyes, even on special occasions. Your dog doesn't need to eat human food. Keep your garbage secure. Cases rise more during the holidays, when
people are eating more fatty foods and so are their pets.
How is Diabetes Diagnosed?
In order to properly diagnose diabetes,
your veterinarian will collect information about your dog’s clinical signs,
perform a physical examination and check blood work and a urinalysis.
Which Dogs Are Prone
to Diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus in dogs usually occurs between 5 and 12 years of
age. It is quite uncommon to see it in
pets under 3.
Female dogs and neutered male dogs are more likely than intact
males to get diabetes, considerably more female pets (about 72%) develop the
disease.
Some breeds may also run a greater risk, they include the Samoyed,
Schnauzers, Keeshond, Puli, Poodles, Beagles, Tibetan terrier, Dachshunds,
Schnauzers and Cairn terriers, while others such as Boxers, Golden Retrievers
and German Shepherd dog seem less susceptible.
Why Pets Get Diabetes:
Obesity
is far and away the biggest reason pet dogs and cats to become diabetic.
Another factor is their unhealthy diet or some commercially available pet
foods, such as kibble (Dry Food). Dry food decreases hyperglycemia (high blood
sugar) after eating because it takes longer to digest, while wet food may
encourage the dog to eat well and increase fluid intake.
Another
lifestyle-related reason pets develop diabetes, one that often goes hand-in-hand
with poor nutrition is ‘Lack of Physical Activity’.
Your
dog or cat needs regular aerobic exertion to help maintain a healthy weight and
to keep her muscles in shape. Your pet
should be getting 20 to 40 minutes of aerobic type exercise several days a
week.
When
you feed your pet many commercially available pet foods, such as kibble, not
only do you risk exposing them to contamination concerns, but also, and perhaps
more importantly, these foods typically are not biologically balanced for your
domesticated carnivore (cat) and scavenging carnivore (dog).
Instead,
many contain inferior meat meals, cheap grains like corn rice and wheat soy,
fillers, by products food coloring, pesticides, preservatives, and other
contaminants. Because of their inferior quality, common symptoms associated
with regular consumption of commercial pet foods include:
·
Diarrhea.
·
Increased
flatulence.
·
Dull
coat.
·
Intermittent
vomiting.
·
Prolonged
scratching.
Help Your Pets Stay
Trim:
You
can help your dog or cat stay trim by feeding him a portion controlled moisture
rich species appropriate diet consisting primarily of a variety of
unadulterated protein sources, healthy fats veggies and fruit in moderation and
specific nutritional supplements as necessary.
Your
pet has no biological requirement for grains or most other carbs. Carbs which can be as much as 80% the
ingredient content of processed pet food, turn into sugar in your pet’s body.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of diabetes can develop very gradually and include
the following:
Increased urination
and increased thirst. These two signs are
hallmarks of a diabetic condition, so you’ll want to watch closely, especially
as your dog ages. Unfortunately, increased thirst and urine output are also
signs of other serious health problems. So, regardless of age or condition of
your dog or cat, you should make an appointment with your vet.
Increased appetite. Your pet might grow hungrier over
time because the amino acids and glucose needed inside the cells aren’t getting
there, or aren’t being used appropriately.
Food fuel:
Your veterinarian will determine how many calories your dog needs every
day, based on his weight and activity level.
Once you know that number, it’s important to keep a close eye on what he
eats and how much.
Weight loss. When the cells of your pet’s body are
being starved of essential nutrients, the result is often an increase in
appetite. But because the energy from
food is not being used efficiently by the body’s cells, your pet can lose
weight even though he’s taking in more calories.
Lack of energy and
increased need for sleep. When the cells of your
pet’s body are deprived of blood sugar, he’s apt to show a general lack of
desire to run, take a walk with you or engage in play.
Vision problems. Another symptom of diabetes in
companion animals is blindness, which is seen primarily in dogs, but cats can
also develop blindness.
Diabetes is a primary cause of cataracts (cloudy lenses) in dogs. In fact, 75 percent of diabetic dogs will
develop blindness from cataracts within a year of diagnosis. Diabetic cataract occur very quickly,
sometimes literally overnight. Your dog goes to bed with normal eyes, and in
the morning his eyes are white. You need to get him to the vet immediately for
a diabetes workup.
Most dogs have inherited cataracts, and they can develop at any
age. Cataracts are more prevalent in
pure bred dogs than mixed breeds.
Another common cause of cataract in dogs is toxicity from drugs
like vaccines, heartworm preventives, and flea/tick medications.
Weakness in rear limbs (cats only). This symptom is unique to kitties
with diabetes. It’s called the plantigrade stance. Instead of walking high up
on the pads of his feet, which is how cats normally walk, a cat with
plantigrade stance will drop his hind quarters low and actually walk on his
back ankles. Fortunately, this symptom can be reversed once your kitty’s
diabetes is under control.
Urinary tract infections. It’s not at all uncommon
for diabetic dogs and cats to acquire secondary urinary tract infections. This happens because the more sugar there is
in the urine, the greater the likelihood that bacteria will grow in your pet’s
bladder.
If you notice these above
symptoms, visit your vet immediately.
The vet will want to perform blood test to see how the levels of
glucose are in the bloodstream and to make sure no other organs have been
affected by diabetes. They will also
want to perform a urinalysis to check kidney function and monitor for urinary
tract infection, which are common in diabetics.
Kidney failure.
Kidney failure, especially in cats, is also a common secondary
symptom of diabetes. Often the first diagnosis for a diabetic kitty is chronic
renal insufficiency or acute kidney problems.
The sugar that is meant to be retained in your pet’s bloodstream spills
over into the urine and is very damaging to the kidneys.
Pets
with kidney disease can show a variety of physical
signs. Some of the signs are nonspecific and may be seen in other disorders
such as liver or pancreatic diseases, or urinary tract disorders not involving
the kidney. Signs may include:
§
Increased
water consumption.
§
Increased
urination volume.
§
Decreased
urination.
§
Lack
of urination.
§
Blood
in urine.
§
Decreased
appetite.
§
Vomiting.
§
Weight
loss.
§
Lethargy.
§
Diarrhea.
If
your dog is showing any of the clinical signs listed above, please see your
veterinarian right away.
How is Diabetes
Treated?
o
Diabetes
treatment is based on how severe the symptoms and lab work are and whether
there are any other health issues that could complicate therapy. Each dog will respond a little bit
differently to treatment, and therapy must be tailored to the individual dog
throughout his life.
o
Some
dogs may be seriously ill when first diagnosed and will require intensive
hospital care for several days to regulate their blood sugar.
o
Dogs
who are more stable when first diagnosed may respond to oral medication or
high-fiber diet that helps to normalize glucose levels in the blood.
o
For
most dogs, insulin injections are necessary for adequate regulation of blood
glucose. Once your pet’s individual
insulin treatment is established, typically based on weight, you’ll be shown
how to give him insulin injection at home.
o
Spaying
your dog is recommended, as female sex hormones can have an effect on blood
sugar levels.
o
Ask
your vet to show you how to perform glucose tests and give your dog insulin
injection at home.
Using Lancets and
Glucose Meter:
Lancet: Not every pet is manageable to
getting pricked with a lancet so that a drop of blood can be harvested for
testing. Neither would you want your pet to get a fear to interact with you nor
you to get bitten or scratched; still, some pets are comfortable with periodic
glucose monitoring at home.
Home
testing may work best for pets that become so agitated that their blood sugar
levels are altered at the vet’s office and a true analyzing cannot be
interpreted, and certainly a pet owner can save a great deal of money if they
can produce their own glucose curve at home when the veterinarian requests one.
Glucometer: Human Glucometer was all that was
available for decades and worked sufficiently. Now, we do have glucometers
designed for pets and are more accurate. Consult your veterinarian to recommend.
IMPORTANT – Insulin Shock:
As a novice, you might err in administering proper insulin dosage.
If your pet appears wobbly or drunken, the blood sugar level may
have dropped too low and this occurs after an insulin overdose. First try to get your pet to eat. If the pet will not eat, administer light Karo
syrup (high fructose corn syrup), honey, or even sugar-water at a dose of one
tablespoon per pounds. If no improvement
occurs, immediately see your vet for emergency treatment.
When the dog is stable, a glucose curve will
be needed to determine why this happened and what more appropriate insulin dose
might be.
If the patient refuses food, do not continue to give insulin to a
dog who is not eating. Consult your vet to check for a concurrent illness.
What Can Happen If
Diabetes Goes Untreated?
If
left untreated diabetes in dogs can be devastating in the animal, they can
develop secondary health problems. They are more susceptible to infections and
are likely to develop neurological problems as well like enlarged livers,
severe urinary tract problems, cataracts, and they can go into coma and death.
Finding
the right diet and exercising your dog regularly is a key part of diabetes
management.
If
your dog is too fat…
The
owner is not getting enough exercise…
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