Story of the Week: Buddy the dog diagnosed with diabetes

Client:  Freddy and Jeannie I.

Pet: Buddy, a 13 year old mixed-breed dog

Situation: Over a week long period,  Jeanine noticed that Buddy was drinking more water than normal and had urinated in the house twice, which is extremely abnormal for him.  She was concerned that something was wrong and brought him into Care Animal Hospital on Bloomingdale for an exam.  On Buddy's physical everything appeared normal but when Dr. Wendt got his bloodwork and urinalysis back it revealed that Buddy had developed diabetes.  Buddy was started on insulin treatment and some changes were recommended for his diet.

He is currently doing very well at home and was very fortunate to have a caregiver who acted very quickly before the diabetes progressed and made Buddy ill.  She also enrolled him in a wellness plan that has made his treatment much more affordable.

The signs of early diabetes are frequent urination, drinking lots of water, a large appetite, and unexplained loss of weight. The laboratory findings are high glucose levels in the blood and urine.

In more advanced cases there is lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, dehydration, weakness, and coma. Cataracts are common in diabetic dogs. Ultimately, diabetes is a disease that affects all organs. Diabetic dogs will have enlarged livers, be susceptible to infections, and often develop neurological problems if not treated.

Aside from older dogs, bigger dogs are more susceptible to dog diabetes than smaller breeds. Obese female dogs are even more prone to diabetes. Once the pancreas fails to secrete the right level of insulin needed by the dog to utilize all of the glucose produced by the body, the problem occurs.

Diabetes in dogs is a hereditary disease. It is also considered as an autoimmune disease that may lead to further system malfunctions. Early diagnosis is very crucial so that the dog’s disease can be reversed. To determine if your dog has diabetes, a sugar blood test is required. A veterinarian can conduct this test, so try to schedule a visit as soon as possible. Once diabetes is diagnosed in your pet, regular monitoring is necessary to make sure that your pet remains in good condition despite the onset of the disease.

The management of dog diabetes starts with a proper diet. There are foods that your dog should eat in order to help this condition. On the other hand, there are certain foods that can possibly make your dog's diabetes become worse. When your dog is suffering from diabetes, regular visits to the vet are essential. You may also be required to start using prepared meals instead of giving your dog its regular food.

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