8/9/2017 0 Comments Anti Diabetic Diet For DogsLearn about the diseases and conditions that may cause hip pain, and read about the medications used in treatment. Fractures, arthritis, bursitis, infections, and. Stomach Ulcer Symptoms. A timely diagnosis plays a crucial role in the treatment of stomach ulcers. The sooner the stomach ulcer symptoms are recognized, the better.
Managing Diabetes in Dogs . Diabetic dogs are increasingly common, but the disease is entirely manageable unless left untreated. At the same time, the rate of canine diabetes in America has more than tripled since 1. But while many human cases are caused and can be treated by diet, for dogs, diabetes is a lifelong condition that requires careful blood sugar monitoring and daily insulin injections. Five years ago, Gryffin, then age 4, was diagnosed with diabetes and given up for adoption. Since he got on the right brand of insulin for him and his raw diet, he. Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin to metabolize food for energy, or when the body’s cells fail to utilize insulin properly. The pancreas’s inability to produce insulin is known in humans as type. This is analogous to the type that affects virtually all dogs. Dogs can also develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Type 2 (formerly adult onset) diabetes, which is the result of insulin resistance often linked to diet and obesity, is the most common form of diabetes in humans. Most diabetic cats have type. Acute- onset blindness resulting from cataracts can also be a sign. ![]() The diagnosis is easy to confirm with simple tests for glucose (sugar) in the blood and urine. Other test results linked to diabetes include ketones in the urine, increased liver enzymes, hyperlipidemia (elevated cholesterol and/or triglycerides), an enlarged liver, protein in the urine, elevated white blood cells due to secondary infections, increased urine specific gravity resulting from dehydration, and low blood phosphorus levels. Canine diabetes may be complicated or uncomplicated. Complicated cases, in which the patient is ill, not eating, or vomiting, require hospital care. Fortunately, most cases are uncomplicated and can be treated at home. Higher Risk for Diabetes in Dogs Due to Breed, Genes, and Drugs. What causes diabetes in dogs? Diabetes is one of the most common endocrine diseases affecting middle- aged and senior dogs, with 7. Diabetes rarely occurs in dogs younger than one year of age, and it is more common in females and neutered males than in intact males. Keeshonds, Pulis, Cairn Terriers, Miniature Pinschers, Poodles, Samoyeds, Australian Terriers, Schnauzers, Spitz, Fox Terriers, Bichon Frise, and Siberian Huskies may be at higher risk. ![]() Acute kidney failure is an abrupt decline in function that occurs over a period of days. Dogs can develop acute kidney problems as a result of ingesting toxins. Signs and Symptoms of Depression. Depression has a number of signs and symptoms. Sometimes men or those closest to them, may not see the signs. Today and over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be discussing my favorite topic, raw food diets for pets. I want to talk about some of the myths and. Because of these breed connections, researchers speculate that the development of diabetes may have a genetic component. Buster, a 1. 3- year- old Maltese, was diagnosed with diabetes at age 1. Cataract surgery completely restored his vision. An estimated 5. 0 percent of canine diabetes cases are likely linked to pancreatic damage caused by. These disorders have many possible causes, including genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Many holistic veterinarians speculate that they may be linked to overstimulation of the immune system from multiple vaccinations, processed foods, and other environmental insults. Extensive pancreatic damage resulting from chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) may contribute to diabetes in 3. Pancreatic disease can also cause exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, or EPI, resulting in a deficiency of digestive enzymes. When a dog develops both EPI and diabetes, the diabetes typically appears several months before symptoms of EPI. In these cases, symptoms may disappear when the heat cycle or pregnancy ends. Diabetes may also resolve when steroids are discontinued or Cushing’s disease is treated. Though many people assume otherwise, there is actually no clear evidence that obesity causes diabetes in dogs. However, obesity can contribute to insulin resistance, making it more difficult to regulate overweight dogs with diabetes. Obesity is also a risk factor for pancreatitis, which can lead to diabetes. Cataracts in Dogs Due to Diabetes. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye. Diabetic cataracts are a leading cause of blindness in humans, and the same is true for dogs. The majority of canine patients with diabetes develop cataracts within six months of diagnosis, and 8. The risk of cataract development appears to increase with age regardless of blood sugar levels, so that even well controlled diabetic dogs can develop cataracts. Surgery has saved the sight of many dogs. Cataracts treated in the early immature stage have the highest success rate and fewest surgical complications. Hypermature cataracts create inflammation (uveitis), causing pain, eye redness, and pupil constriction. When uveitis is seen prior to surgery, the success rate for pain- free vision six months later is only 5. Phacoemulsification to remove the lens is the preferred surgical method for diabetic dogs. After surgery, an artificial lens is installed for optimal post- operative vision. Although cataracts typically affect both eyes, treating just one can reduce costs (estimated between $1,5. Other potential complications from diabetes include decreased corneal sensitivity, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye). Common Complications for Diabetic Dogs. Concurrent disorders that can make diabetes more difficult to control include hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease), infections, hypothyroidism, renal insufficiency, liver insufficiency, cardiac insufficiency, chronic inflammation (especially pancreatitis), EPI, severe obesity, hyperlipidemia, and cancer. Henry, a four- year veteran of diabetes, doesn. The percentage of canine patients with diabetic nephropathy is unknown (it’s more common in cats), but its earliest sign is hyperalbuminuria (high albumin levels in urine) followed by an increase in the urine protein- to- creatinine (UPC) ratio and hypertension (high blood pressure), which may contribute to kidney damage. Early changes may be reversed if blood sugar levels improve. Infections – especially urinary tract infections (UTIs) – are common among dogs with diabetes because sugar in urine makes the bladder an ideal incubator for bacteria. In one study, half of the diabetic dogs tested had occult or hidden urinary tract infections that were not detected by urinalysis. The possibility of UTIs in dogs with diabetes is so great that their urine should be cultured periodically to detect infections. A long course of antibiotics (lasting six to eight weeks) can be administered if needed. Follow- up cultures and frequent retesting are recommended. Dogs with diabetes are also susceptible to infections of the mouth and gums. Diabetic pets should have their teeth checked regularly and cleaned if necessary. Dental tartar seeds the body with bacteria, and when blood sugar levels run high, infections in important organs can take root. The kidneys and heart are particularly vulnerable. Brushing your dog’s teeth daily or at least twice a week helps to prevent and detect early signs of dental disease. Liver (hepatic) disease is another common problem, resulting from altered fat metabolism caused by diabetes. In one survey of 2. Ultrasound tests and biopsies help differentiate between primary hepatic disease and secondary complications of diabetes. Pancreatitis affects an estimated 4. See “A Pain in the Pancreas,” November 2. Hyperadrenocorticism, or Cushing’s disease, is another complication. In one study, 2. 3 percent of dogs with diabetes tested positive for Cushing’s. Most canine patients with both disorders develop Cushing’s disease before the onset of diabetes. About 1. 0 percent of dogs with Cushing’s are also diabetic. Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) may coincide with diabetes. In the study mentioned above, 9 percent of diabetic canines were hypothyroid. While the glucose intolerance caused by hypothyroidism could lead to the development of diabetes, it’s unlikely to be a major factor because the two don’t often occur together. However, thyroid hormone deficiency can result in insulin resistance, complicating glycemic control. Thyroid hormone replacement should be instituted gradually in dogs with diabetes since their insulin requirements will decrease and, without dosage adjustments, severe hypoglycemia may occur (see sidebar). It makes sense to test diabetic dogs for hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism, but only after their diabetes is controlled. Otherwise, the diabetes will affect test results. Hyperlipidemia usually improves as blood sugar levels are controlled. Persistently elevated triglycerides may be linked to Cushing’s disease and can increase the risk of developing acute pancreatitis. Reducing fat in the diet can help to lower triglyceride levels. Elevated cholesterol is often linked to hypothyroidism. Insulin resistance can be caused by hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, infections, pancreatitis, drug therapy (corticosteroids), obesity, acromegaly, estrus (heat cycle), and anti- insulin antibodies. Insulin resistance should be investigated in patients who need doses of 1 unit or more of insulin per pound of body weight. Typical Prognoses for Dogs with Diabetes. The life expectancy of a diebetic dog can be the same as a healthy dog's with proper care. With proper treatment, dogs with diabetes have survival rates very similar to those of non- diabetic dogs of the same age and gender, though their risk is greatest during the first six months of treatment, when insulin therapy is introduced and glucose levels are being regulated. Diabetic dogs are more likely to die of kidney disease, infections, or liver/pancreatic disorders than of diabetes itself. But once their condition stabilizes, diabetic dogs can lead happy, healthy lives. Consider Buster, a 1. Maltese belonging to Mary Butler in Northern California. Buster was diagnosed with diabetes three years ago after suddenly going blind due to cataracts. Six- year- old Penny, who developed diabetes as a puppy, receives her evening insulin shot, one of two she receives each day from owners Melba and Curtiss Lanham. He has lots of energy, his coat is thick and shiny, his stools are formed and regular, and his teeth sparkle.
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