Symptoms of Dog Diabetes: Key Indicators to Watch Out F

Section 1: Symptoms of Canine Diabetes

Diabetes in dogs primarily manifests through symptoms such as restlessness, excessive thirst, polyuria (increased urination), increased appetite, weakness, and weight loss. In severe cases, the dog may exhale a fruity, ketonelike odor. As the condition worsens, one might observe persistent vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Severe cases can lead to acidosis, culminating in diabetic coma. Elevated blood sugar levels can also result in cataracts, corneal ulcers, retinal detachment, vitreous opacity, blindness, hair loss, skin ulcers, heart failure, and even coma.

Section 2: Treatment Methods for Canine Diabetes

The fundamental approach to treating canine diabetes is dietary management, which involves feeding the dog a lowsugar diet consisting of meats and dairy products, and supplementing with adequate amounts of B vitamins. For patients in urgent need of controlling high blood sugar and correcting metabolic imbalances, rapidacting insulin is recommended. For those with stable conditions, longacting or intermediateacting insulin is more suitable. Antidiabetic medications, such as tolbutamide, chlorpropamide, acetohexamide, and glibenclamide, are commonly used, typically for dogs with blood sugar levels not exceeding 200 mg/100 ml and without ketonemia. Although diabetes is not caused by obesity, it is still advisable for pet owners to maintain their dogs at a healthy weight. Overweight dogs should first reduce their calorie intake to regain their ideal weight, while underweight dogs may need to gain weight.

Pet Doctor's Tip: For more information on canine diabetes, click on "Early Symptoms of Canine Diabetes" to read more articles.