What should you do if your dog has diabetes? Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease. The insulin needed to lower blood sugar levels is either no longer produced or is rejected by the body's cells. As a result, the glucose remains in the blood instead of being processed in the cells, which leads to the typical symptoms. Below we will show you how diabetes manifests itself in dogs, where the disease comes from and what treatment is recommended.
Symptoms of Diabetes in Dogs
If your dog has diabetes, there can be various reasons for it. First of all, it is important to note that there are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetic predisposition, immune system disorders, infectious diseases, hormonal disorders, poor diet or a disease of the pancreas, which means that insulin is no longer produced. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is a chronic disease in which the body's cells simply do not recognize the glucose present.
The symptoms of both types of diabetes in dogs are very similar. The four-legged friends are very hungry and thirsty, urinate frequently, appear weak and lose weight. In addition, wound healing is usually worse. If insulin levels remain low, ketoacidosis, i.e. a metabolic disorder, can also occur. In this case, the pet will be noticeable due to loss of appetite and vomiting, it will appear apathetic and may even fall into a coma. Therefore, if the dog shows the symptoms mentioned, it is important to have your vet check for diabetes as soon as possible.
Treating a Dog with Diabetes
If your dog has diabetes, he will never get rid of the disease. However, as with humans, there are clear timetables that ensure a long and as symptom-free life as possible. This includes, above all, the well-known insulin injection that you give your dog regularly. The animals usually do not react particularly noticeably to the little prick. It is also important that your four-legged friend gets plenty of exercise appropriate to its breed and does not gain excess weight. For bitches, castration is also recommended, as pregnancy can have a negative effect on the puppies and the course of the bitch's disease.
It is imperative to take a look at the food if diabetes is diagnosed in a dog. The focus is on low-carbohydrate dog food. Leaf salads, asparagus, small portions of cabbage or spinach, as well as dairy products and eggs are recommended. The raw fibers they contain mean that the sugar in the food is absorbed more slowly into the blood, which prevents excessive levels directly after feeding.
When BARFing your dog, meat is of course the main focus. This is also possible if you have diabetes. The only important thing is that you use low-fat BARF meat . This includes veal, horse or ostrich, for example. In our BARF shop, you can use the specified fat content as a guide and find other varieties for the special BARF dog food . Otherwise, we recommend the varieties listed below.
