Symptoms of Dog Diabetes: Key Indicators Explained
Dog Diabetes Symptoms:
1. Increased Thirst: Dogs with diabetes often experience a significant rise in their water intake compared to before they were diagnosed. It's crucial to monitor if your pet's thirst has increased recently. However, it's not a cause for concern if the increase is due to normal factors like exercise or hot weather.
2. More Frequent Urination: As dogs drink more water, their urine output naturally increases, and this is often accompanied by a higher frequency of urination.
3. Appetite and Weight Changes: A dog may appear to be hungry all the time, even if it's eating the same amount as usual (a condition known as polyphagia). Despite increased food intake, the dog may not gain weight or could even lose weight, which is a sign of diabetes.
4. Gradual Weight Loss: Despite feeling hungrier than usual, diabetic dogs may actually lose weight due to increased metabolism.
5. Lethargy and Weakness: Diabetes can make dogs feel tired, listless, or even sleepy, leading to a noticeable lack of energy.
6. Dull and Thinning Coat: A dog's coat may become drier and thinner, with noticeable thinning, dryness, and abnormal shedding, especially on the back.
7. Blurred Vision: Just as in humans, diabetes can lead to eye diseases in dogs, including issues with the retina and cornea.
8. Mental Distress: Dogs with diabetes may experience symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis, which can lead to metabolic acidosis, a decrease in insulin response, and the presence of toxic ketones in the body. This imbalance can cause pets to become depressed.
9. Vomiting: Dogs with diabetes may also experience vomiting, which is another common clinical sign often used by veterinarians to diagnose the condition.
It's important to note that sometimes pet owners may take their pets to the vet due to sudden blindness, which is a classic "three pluses and one minus" issue that can be easily overlooked.
Pet Doctor's Tip: For more information on dog diabetes, click on "Early Symptoms of Dog Diabetes" to read an informative article.
