What is Pet Diabetes?
November is Pet Diabetes Awareness Month making it a great time to learn more about what pet diabetes is, the symptoms to look for, as well as how to treat and monitor this lifelong condition. Symptoms in humans are not identical to the symptoms of diabetes in pets. But just like with humans, diabetes is a condition that develops when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the insulin produced isn’t sufficient enough to regulate blood sugar levels. This means the body isn’t functioning as it should.
At Bark Avenue Daycamp, we have had experience with many of our dog boarders over the years who have had various health conditions, including diabetes. Our highly qualified staff is able to monitor and administer medication needed for most health needs while your dog stays with us for dog day camp or kennel boarding. So you might be wondering, “What should I be looking for as signs that my pet could have diabetes, and how do I treat and monitor it if they do have it?” Read on to learn more.
Signs of Pet Diabetes
It is important to pay attention to some of the possible signs of diabetes in your pet. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to devastating effects on the dog’s body, which is why early detection and proper treatment are critical. These are potential symptoms to look for, but keep in mind your dog may not have all these symptoms.
- cystitis
- excessive thirst
- lethargy/reduced activity
- increased urination
- obesity or weight gain
- loss of sight
- increased appetite
- cloudy eyes
Diagnosing Diabetes in Your Pet
It is easy and relatively inexpensive to diagnose with a simple blood and urine test. From this test, the veterinarian can determine if there’s an elevated amount of sugar in your dog’s body.
Treating and Prognosis of Your Pet’s Diabetes
When dogs are diagnosed with diabetes, they remain diabetic for the rest of their life. The goal of treatment is to control the blood sugar levels, stop any clinical signs, and stabilize the dog’s weight. Your veterinarian will make a recommendation about a proper diet and feeding schedule, including insulin treatments. As long as their treated, most dogs do very well and have a good quality of life with treatment.
How to Monitor Your Diabetic Pet
After a few days or a week, your veterinarian will want to test your dog for glucose levels which includes taking samples of your dog’s blood sugar levels. This helps determine if their insulin levels need to be adjusted, depending on the results. It may take a few glucose tests to get the right dose of insulin for your dog and how to monitor your dog’s blood sugar levels at home.
At Bark Avenue Daycamp, our staff is always able to take care of dogs with various health conditions and special needs including diabetes. So rest assured when your diabetic pup is with us for doggie daycare, kennel boarding, or dog training, they are in good hands!
If you are looking for a great local animal hospital near Bartlett, IL, we highly recommend Bartlett Animal Hospital.
Whether you live in Bartlett, Hoffman Estates, St. Charles, Elgin, or Schaumburg, call us at (630) 289-8470 or contact us online to book your dog or puppy for kennel boarding, dog grooming, dog training, or doggie day camp with us at Bark Avenue Daycamp.
