Diabetes

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder which not only afflicts human beings but animals also.   We are blessed as we can express and narrate our feelings and pains, but animals cannot do so. If you are an owner of a canine, you must be very observant, and should be able to judge if the animal is fit or not. The  canine is susceptible to a number of diseases and diabetes is one of them.

In animals too, the insulin produced by a group of cells called the Islets of Langerhans, is responsible for producing insulin, which in turn is responsible for controlling the level of glucose in the blood. The insulin, so produced stops the liver from transforming glycogen to glucose. The extra  glucose which is not needed by the body is stored in muscles and body tissue.  When the body fails to produce  required insulin or build up resistance to insulin, the canine suffers from canine diabetes.

In this condition, the glucose or sugar level in the blood of the canine rises and excess amount is released by the kidneys through the urine. The major clinical signs of diabetes mellitus in your canine are polyuria which means frequent urination along with polydipsia or commonly called excess of water consumption.

You will observe the canine losing weight drastically due to the breakdown of stored fat and proteins to produce glucose and ketones within the liver. Some other notable signs are cataracts, exercise intolerance, polyphagia or excessive hunger and  frequent infections which take time to get cured.

For the treatment of canine diabetes, you need to consult a Veterinary doctor. Mostly the medicines that are prescribed are tablets that contain Oral hypoglycemic agents. Insulin is the mainstay in any diabetic treatment and it is administered through injections. Though there is no standard dosage of insulin for all animals, the vet can decide as to the optimum dosage for your pet. Along with that some diet would be prescribed too that would keep the health of your pet perfect.