Dog Diabetes Symptoms

Diabetes is a disease which is caused as a result of functional or absolute deficiency of insulin and knowing what dog diabetes symptoms are will help you catch the disease earlier than normal. This basically signifies that either pancreas is producing less insulin or the receipting cells on which insulin acts are not accepting the insulin and this reduces the effectiveness of insulin. Metabolism is a process wherein the body breaks down components of the diet into several usable components such as fatty acids, sugars, amino acids, and transfers stored energy into usable components. The body usually goes in starvation mode, which is a sign of dog diabetes symptoms.

Dogs are very much prone to diabetes and there are three forms of diabetes which are common among dogs. These are popularly known as diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, and gestational diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is believed to be the commonest among dogs. A brief understanding of them is worth it.

Understanding Dog Diabetes Symptoms

Diabetes Mellitus: This is a disorder wherein the body faces deficiency in production of insulin or get insensitive to it. With the progress of the disease, the dog diabetes symptoms worsens and aggravates.

Dog Diabetes Insipidus: This leads to an abnormal increase in the urine output, fluid intake, and thirst.

Gestational Diabetes: This occurs in female dogs during pregnancy and this is caused as their body is unable to produce enough insulin or is unable to use the insulin properly.

One would wonder the causes behind Diabetes mellitus. However, there is no single reason behind such a disease in dogs, though researches show association of some hormonal diseases, pancreatic inflammation, and certain drugs to the development of cures for dog diabetes symptoms. There are certain breeds of dogs like Puli, Miniature Pinscher, Cairn terrier and Keeshonden, which are more prone to such diseases. Also over-represented are Poodles, Dachshunds and Beagles which are known to be at higher risk for diabetes.

Major Dog Diabetes Symptoms

The major symptoms of diabetes in dogs are essentially noteworthy.

* Excessive urination
* Pale, almost clear, urine color.
* Weight loss despite increased appetite.
* Extreme thirst
* Vision problem due to cataracts
* Liver malfunction
* Increased chronic infections (e.g. bladder).

Diabetes mellitus is a major disorder and gradually the symptom tends to become more serious and debilitating. The symptom in the later stage includes increased dehydration and anorexia. This is also coupled by an increase in infection. Dog diabetes as a disease is extremely fatal and it affects the eyes of the dogs very badly. Development of cataract is commonly found in diabetic dogs because high blood glucose levels leads to water building in the lens of the eye thereby leading to swelling, cataract, and lens fiber rupture. Even if you handle dog diabetes treatment correctly and carefully, many dogs go blind, as it leads to cataract. This is almost an unavoidable condition in dogs with diabetes. Though it can be surgically removed, yet the dog fails to regain its full eyesight. Apart from affecting eyesight, diabetic ketoacidosis is yet another common problem which occurs when a diabetic dog has an insulin deficiency and this is yet another serious medical condition coupled with diabetes.

Hence proper care needs to be taken of dogs suffering from diabetes and that too at an initial stage.