What Causes Dog Diabetes?

Understanding what causes dog diabetes is becoming a very common question for pet owners. According to reports, 1 out of every 500 dog is a diabetic. For a pet lover, it is a caring gesture to find out what causes of dog diabetes. As, for a dog, it is just as dangerous to suffer from diabetes as it is for any human.

Let us summarize the facts, which will speak about the causes of diabetes in dogs and recognize its symptoms. Let this article give you a clear picture on how to give your pet a longer, healthier, and a happier life.

First cause of dog diabetes: Pancreas damage

Now, the cause is the same as in humans - the damage of pancreas, which produces insulin for the body. Insulin is a small protein and a hormone, which regulates metabolism in your dog’s body. Due to a problem with the immune system, the cells in the pancreas are destroyed, which results in decrease or a complete stop in the insulin production, which ultimately means that your dog can no longer use the food that it eats. So, when there is no glucose development, then the food that you give your pet is not used at all.

Other causes are: reaction to drugs, genetic problems, and pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).

Most common causes of dog diabetes: Heredity

One thing to be noted is that the dog diabetes doesn’t have many external causes. One of the very common causes is heredity. This indicates that if the parents are suffering from diabetes, then it is very obvious that the child would inherit the disease.

So, one of the main things for a breeder to take care is the medical history of the dog that he would like to breed. A complete medical check up is a must so that one can be assured that the dog has no health conditions that may get passed upon to the puppies.

Apart from this, infectious diseases and virus can cause diabetes. It is very much possible that diabetes can get triggered from a very prolonged disease that your dog might have had which could have affected the pancreas which in turn may have triggered abnormal production of insulin. Cushing’s disease is one such example, which can trigger diabetes.

Can steroid use cause dog diabetes?

Use of steroids can be a factor too. Regular steroid shots on a dog can trigger dog diabetes. Steroids affect the function of pancreas which ultimately results in less production of insulin.

The main target of dog diabetes is the middle-aged dogs, which is about six to nine years. However, at the same time younger dogs can also be the target. Studies show that female dogs are more vulnerable to the disease because of the hormonal changes during pregnancy. Other breeds that are susceptible to this disease are miniature pinschers, cairn terriers, and keeshonds.

Please note that this disease is a grave condition that needs to be addressed right away. It is a silent killer which affects the entire body system and ultimately results in death. Hence, identifying it at a very early stage is very important.

Now that you are clear about the causes of diabetes in dogs, please take vigorous interest in your dog’s health, which will allow them to live longer and have a more productive life.