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    The signs of diabetes in dogs
      
    Diabetes mellitus or simply diabetes is a common condition in dogs. Howsoever
    scary it may sound it is not the end of the world for your dog because diabetes
    in canines is manageable if proper care is taken. Diet, regular monitoring of
    blood sugar levels and medication are key aspects of adequate care.

    Diabetes, however, can cause an early death of the dog if it is not treated.
    High blood sugar levels produce clinical symptoms of diabetes in dogs and
    cats that can help in early detection.

    Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels rise due to the inability of pancreas to
    produce enough insulin to manage glucose (a primary sugar) in the food that the dog
    ingests. In another situation, cells become resistant to the action of insulin, which also
    results in a high blood sugar level. If not managed within reasonable time, it leads to
    abnormally high blood sugar levels, a condition known as hyperglycemia.

    High blood sugar results when the dog’s body is unable to process and convert glucose
    to energy for maintaining healthy growth. The excess glucose in the blood has to go
    somewhere if it is not used by the body’s systems and it leaks over to the urine. This
    leads to excessive urination (polyuria). As fluids in the body reduce, the dog feels the
    need to drink more (polydipsia) to compensate the loss due to excessive urination.

    Besides these two most prominent symptoms of diabetes in dogs and cats some
    of the other symptoms indicative of diabetes are:

    * Weight loss
    * Poor skin and hair coat
    * Frequent bladder infections

    On observing these signs, a veterinarian should be consulted at the first opportunity
    because untreated diabetes can lead to:

    * Loss of appetite
    * Vomiting
    * Diabetic neuropathy, especially weakness in rear legs
    * Dehydration

    Left untreated, diabetes can progress and cause some life threatening disorders like
    diabetic acidosis, a condition of abnormally high acidity accompanied by an accumulation
    of ketone bodies. Some of the other complications arising out of unregulated blood sugar
    levels include liver and kidney dysfunction and canine blindness.

    The cause of diabetes still remains a mystery despite large amounts of research
    that has been initiated in this area. Chronic inflammation of the pancreas and genetic
    predisposition are often suspected to be the cause in most of the cases. Breeds like
    Poodles, Schnauzers, Keeshounds, Cairn Terriers, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels and
    Beagles are more predisposed to developing diabetes.

    Once your dog has been diagnosed for diabetes, close monitoring of diet and regular
    checking of blood sugar levels is necessary. Minor increase in blood sugar can be
    managed by controlling and regulating diet. Abnormally high levels require insulin
    injections. Injection of insulin needs to be correlated with the amount, quality and
    timing of food intake.

    If you are taking care of your dog at home, make sure you get proper instructions
    about how and when to inject insulin on your own. Since excess insulin can lead to
    hypoglycemia or extremely low blood sugar levels, this is another area that you must
    understand well.

    Natural Treatment for Diabetes in Dogs

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