Diabetic symptoms in dogs shouldn't be ignored, because they prove that the condition is present and worsening. However, similar symptoms can be exhibited in a pre-diabetes stage, warning the owner but there is still time to prevent the disease from developing further.
Pre-Diabetic Symptoms in Dogs
The pre-diabetes stage is mainly a warning that your dog might develop the disease. However, at this stage some dogs might not show any symptoms at all.
The blood sugar level is increased, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes and treated accordingly. In some cases the disease can be prevented from developing by changing the diet and improving the lifestyle of the pet. Even though this stage could pass unnoticed, there are some symptoms that might appear, such as:
- Losing weight without any appetite changes
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Exhaustion and fatigue
- Sores or injuries healing slower than usual
If your dog exhibits pre-diabetes symptoms, it is very important that you consult your veterinarian for a pre-diabetes diet. Respecting this diet might delay the further development of the disease or even prevent it. Beware that these symptoms will also show when the disease is already present.
Weight Loss
Weight loss without any apparent reason in pre-diabetic dogs is a sign that the glucose in the blood does not nourish the body's cells. Losing weight might even be associated with increased appetite in some cases.
Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination
The high levels of sugar in the blood cause a continuous sensation of thirst. Due to the high toxicity in the blood, the kidneys will work harder to eliminate the extra glucose, causing the dog to urinate more often.
Exhaustion and Fatigue
Glucose is the main source of energy of the body, but given that it is not metabolized, energy is not released and the dog feels tired.
Slower Healing of Injuries
The quality and properties of the blood are affected by the high amount of glucose. Therefore, the blood clotting is slower and injuries cannot heal as fast as under normal circumstances.
Causes of Diabetes in Dogs
Even if the cause of diabetes is still unknown, experts believe that there are a few factors which can increase the possibility of dogs developing this condition:
- Hereditary factors
- Obesity
- Medication
- Diet
Prevention of Diabetes
If your dog shows pre-diabetes symptoms and the vet establishes that diabetes is imminent, it is of the utmost importance that you keep the pet's diet under control. There are several dog diets designed for diabetes control and for weight loss. Usually these diets are poor in carbohydrates. The proper monitoring of the diet could considerably improve your pet's health.
Even in cases when the dog develops diabetes, if given good care and proper insulin treatment, the dog can live a normal life.