Canine DiabetesCanine Diabetes, like human diabetes, has similar signs and symptoms. A physical exam and simple blood test is all that is needed to confirm a diagnosis and then, like humans, diet, exercise and insulin injections are the usual route.Diabetes in pets can be managed well and your pet can live a long and productive life but you have to spot the symptoms early and you need to act on your veterinarians advice. Firstly a little personal story... My dog was showing all the typical signs for canine diabetes when I took him to the veterinarian. Georgie was consuming a lot of water, unsteady on his feet, incontinent, and lethargic. I was afraid something serious was going on with him. After the vet gave him a physical exam and blood tests, he diagnosed Georgie with type-2 canine diabetes. We discussed the options and decided to modify his diet and give him insulin two times a day to control his blood sugar. It was not easy at first. The checkups that Georgie went through each week showed his sugar levels were still fluctuating a lot up and down. Knowing I could not just throw in the towel, at home I tested his urine samples to get his sugar level reading and then as necessary adjusted his insulin injections. Slowly, Georgie started to improve. In a matter of months, Georgie was again his lively self. It is hard to believe he has a serious medical problem the way he runs all over the place. With the right diet, routine exercise and correct insulin dosage along with regular checkups with the vet we have turned the corner with Georgie.
Along with age and weight, what diet the dog eats is another important cause. Dogs that are allowed to eat people food without any regulations are highly at risk. A dog's diet is of utmost important and should be overlooked according to Flitner. She states, "A high fiber diet, low in fat and sugar, is vital, and an annual checkup by a qualified professional is also an important part of proper pet care, as early detection of health complications increase successful management of the problem and helps prolong the quality of life for that pet." She also comments that pet owners often times think that taking care of a pet with diabetes would be a daunting task to undertake this makes it hard for them to decide what to do at this critical time of the animal's life. "A diagnosis of diabetes in a family pet is hard enough to handle without misconceptions compounding the problem," Flitner thoughtfully stated. For example, a dog or cat owner may decide to have the diabetic pet euthanized, because he does not feel capable of dealing with the situation. However, this same owner can with the right guidance and instruction can feel confident about following the care plan come up with by his veterinarian to go on to enjoy more fun years with his cat or dog. Flitner said, "People need to know by regulating their pet's diabetes, that pet can still live to their full potential." She also acknowledges that a lot of owners think their cat or dog is as important to the family as the human members and stress over how to take care of the animal's health correctly. Flitner points out that the quality of cat and dog foods in the grocery store at not the best options for dogs with canine diabetes or for cats with diabetes, since they have added sugars and fillers to make it have an improved flavor. "Some grocery store brands of cat food actually have trace elements of antifreeze in them, because cats are attracted to it. These types of foods often have a high content of sodium, which is also unhealthy for the pet. She also said, "A healthy well-balanced diet is important for any pet, but especially for those diagnosed with diabetes." Some of the early signs that could point to diabetes in a cat or dog could be such things as increased appetite, unquenchable thirst, extreme eye changes, lethargy, vomiting and trouble with coordination. Owners who notice any of these changes in the pooch they own need to call their veterinarian immediately, because he needs to check the animal to give a correct diagnosis. She does mention that often the owners want to take the water away from their pet because of its problem with incontinence. "But, this is not the correct thing to do," warns Flitner. With the canine diabetes, consuming a lot of water happens to be how the dog tries to get the glucose flushed out of his system. If the dog does not flush the glucose out, it can cause serious damage to not only the kidneys, but also other ones of the dog's organs. The main prevention that owners can take to protect the health of their pets is some very simple things such as a diet that is healthy and routine veterinarian checkups. Also, regular exercise is extremely important. Along with other benefits, regular exercise improves the dog's ability to more effectively process insulin. Canine diabetes can be managed!
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Mary Flitner, a Wyoming veterinarian who practices in New Mexico who also has a D.V. M. degree from Colorado State University says that diabetes in cats and dogs happens more often than people think. Also, according to her, your pet has an increased chance of getting diabetes the older it is. As she says, " This is especially true in overweight, less active dogs." 
