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Diabetes in Dogs
Diabetes in Dogs - Sugar Diabetes Diabetes mellitus, sugar diabetes, is a common immune disorder in both cats and dogs. Pets that are obese, as well as neutered male cats and unspayed female dogs are more prone to the disease. Most dogs that have diabetes are between 7 to 9 years old, although it can occur to very young dogs as well. Diabetes in dogs occurs when the body attacks the pancreatic cells that make insulin, a hormone normally produced by the body to regulate blood glucose. When your pet's body does not have enough insulin, the body is unable to properly utilize or store blood sugar, resulting in increased sugar levels. The excessive sugar spills over into the urine and is removed from the body. As a result, the body tissues do not have enough blood sugar to sustain a consistent energy level. If left untreated, diabetes in dogs will lead to kidney failure, vision loss, decreased resistance to bacterial and fungal infections and may develop liver and bladder problems. TopDog Diabetes SymptomsDogs with diabetes usually show the following symptoms:
Canine Diabetes TreatmentUnfortunately, there is no cure for diabetes in dogs. Insulin therapy is the most common treatment for canine diabetes.In addition to insulin treatment, if you have a dog with diabetes, you also need to pay attention to your pet's diet, supplements, exercise regimens, and weight control. Diabetic Dog Diet The general guidelines for a healthy diabetic dog diet are:
Foods to avoid:
Foods to include in a diabetic dog diet:
Exercise A regular exercise regimen is important as it has the effect of decreasing insulin needs. However, irregular exercise will destabilize insulin needs, so the key is to:
If there is a change in the daily exercise routine, diabetic dogs can become seriously hypoglycemic (dangerously low blood sugar level). As a precaution, therefore, always carry some sugar source with you when you take your diabetic dog out for exercise. Weight Control If your diabetic dog is obese, gradual weight loss is highly recommended. Weight loss may help to reduce your dog's need for insulin. However, the key is to lose weight gradually. Rapid weight loss should be avoided. TopNatural Supplements for Diabetic DogsSupplements should be added to a diabetic dog diet to further help glucose metabolism in the body. One important supplement is brewer's yeast. The chromium in the yeast aids the body in using blood sugar more effectively. You can give one teaspoon to one tablespoon (depending on the size of your dog) of brewer's yeast with each meal to your dog. Vitamins C and E are also essential.Herbs can also be used to help strengthen and support major body systems that have been weakened by diabetes. Dogs with diabetes are unlikely to be able to fully utilize nutrients; therefore, herbs that aid digestion and nutrient absorption will be beneficial to diabetic dogs. Dandelion leaf, alfalfa, and calendula are such herbs. Some herbs are effective in maintaining and moderating blood sugar levels, such as dandelion root and burdock root. Aloe vera and fenugreek seeds have also been found to be able to reduce blood sugar levels and stimulate insulin production in diabetic animals. Garlic is another useful herb for diabetes in dogs. Garlic stimulates the stomach and intestines and increases digestive organ function.
As you can see, there are a lot of things you can do for your diabetic dog to help him live a relatively normal life. As each dog is different, it is advisable to consult a holistic veterinarian and discuss the various dietary options and herbal supplements that are available for dogs with diabetes. References R. Kidd, Dr. Kidd's Guide to Herbal Dog Care (Storey Publishing, 2000).
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