Effective Improvements for Dogs with Diabetes: Expert T

Symptoms:

Increased Appetite: Dogs may eat more but not gain weight, often accompanied by excessive water consumption.

Fatigue and Weakness: Dogs may exhibit a lack of energy, become easily tired, and lose weight rapidly.

Increased Urination: There will be a significant increase in urine volume, with higher specific gravity and a pale yellow color.

High Blood Sugar Levels: Elevated blood glucose levels are a hallmark of the condition.

LateStage Complications: Dogs may develop corneal ulcers, cataracts, skin ulcers, hair loss, weakened hearts, and even coma.

Keywords: Hyperglycemia, Diabetes, Polydipsia, Increased Appetite, Vomiting, Polyuria, Weight Loss, Hair Loss, Dandruff.

Causes:

The primary cause of canine diabetes is a deficiency in insulin secretion from the pancreas. Other contributing factors include liver disease, which impairs the storage of glycogen, stimulation of the hypothalamus' sugar center leading to increased blood sugar, and hyperfunction of the adrenal, thyroid, and pituitary glands. Medications such as tranquilizers, anesthetics, and phenytoin can also affect insulin release.

Treatment for Canine Diabetes:

The treatment goal is to lower blood sugar levels, correct imbalances in water, electrolytes, and acidbase balance. Diabetes is categorized into Type 1 and Type 2, with different treatment approaches but with the common aim of controlling blood sugar, stopping symptoms, stabilizing weight, and preventing complications.

For dogs in urgent need of controlling high blood sugar and correcting metabolic imbalances, rapidacting insulin is used. For stable cases, longacting or intermediateacting insulin is generally preferred. Oral hypoglycemic drugs, insulin therapy, intravenous fluid therapy, and nutritional support are also employed.

Oral Hypoglycemic Drugs:

Commonly used medications include acetohexamide, chlorpropamide, tolbutamide, and glibenclamide. These are typically reserved for dogs with blood sugar levels not exceeding 200 mg/dL and without ketonemia.

Insulin Therapy:

Insulin is administered subcutaneously 0.5 hours before feeding once daily. For dogs with diabetic ketoacidosis, crystalline insulin or protamine zinc suspension can be used, with small doses administered continuously via intravenous infusion or intramuscular injection.

Fluid Therapy:

Options include Lactated Ringer's solution, 0.45% sodium chloride solution, and 5% glucose solution. The volume of intravenous fluids should not exceed 90 mg/kg body weight, with 2030 mg/kg being administered slowly. Potassium salts should be supplemented as needed.

Nutritional Therapy:

A crucial aspect of treatment is dietary management. Dogs with diabetes should be fed a "hypoglycemic diet," avoiding highfat, highsugar, and highly seasoned foods. A diet rich in fiber and low in calories is recommended. Early medication control is paired with strict nutritional management, with strict dietary control being crucial for diabetes treatment.

Nutrition Tips:

Since dogs with diabetes cannot metabolize sugar, highprotein and highfat foods should be preferred, with a reduction in carbohydrate intake. This includes a balanced diet with a focus on meat, limited carbohydrates, adequate Bvitamin supplementation, regular and controlled feeding, and frequent, small meals. Free access to water is also important. Increasing dietary fiber and ensuring nutritional balance are vital for the nutritional improvement of diabetic dogs.

CheerShare's Diabetes Dog Formula:

This specialized diet is designed to limit glucose fluctuations, reduce postprandial hyperglycemia, ensure palatability, and maintain stable insulin dosages through timed and measured meals to control weight. It is developed by nutritionists and includes high protein content and Lcarnitine to prevent weight gain and insulin resistance. It also contains a blend of lowsugar grains and psyllium husk to lower postprandial blood sugar levels, as well as pumpkin and propolis to regulate food absorption and effectively lower blood sugar without affecting normal blood sugar levels. Other ingredients like yam, artemisia, and bitter melon contribute to antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and blood sugarlowering effects.

Additional Tips:

In addition to dietary management, regular exercise is crucial. Dogs with diabetes should engage in at least two 15minute sessions of exercise daily, with a longer walk of about an hour in the evening. It's also important to ensure that dogs with diabetes drink pure water to avoid kidney issues.