Sit Down Dog Wheelchairs
How to Care for a Diabetic Dog
Our pets are family, and one of your family members become ill you want to give them the best care possible. Diabetes is one of the most common illnesses effecting dogs. There is an increased risk of diabetes in dogs that are overweight or are already in their middle age. There is also an increased risk among specific dog breed. Additionally, the risk can be higher among female dogs. The good news is that diabetes is a manageable disease in pets. With the right care, your dog can continue to live a long and comfortable life.
That said, here are some tips to follow, in taking care of diabetic dogs:
Maintain a Good Relationship with a Veterinarian
Diabetes isn't something that you can treat and manage yourself without the knowledge and expertise of your veterinarian. The first step, to ensuring that the health of your diabetic dog can be well maintained is to have a good relationship with a veterinarian you can trust.
That way, it's easier for you to establish an open line of communication with your dog's doctor. Should you have any questions, you don't have to feel shy or crazy about asking them. You will be relying on the support and guidance of your Vet throughout your pet’s treatment. A good vet is also someone whom you can trust to have the best welfare of your dog to heart.
Follow the Treatment Plan
Just like human beings, there's no cure for canine diabetes. Diabetes in dogs can be treated with proper management. If not treated correctly, the symptoms and effects of diabetes can quickly progress. When left untreated, diabetes can also result in cataracts, loss of vision, or even death. Once your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, it's imperative, therefore, for you to have the proper treatment for your dog. Follow this religiously and consistently to avoid complications.
The usual treatment your dog may have to go through is insulin injection. Depending on the severity, this can occur once or twice a day. Then, there may also be supplements that your vet is going to prescribe. You must monitor and track your dog’s sugar levels daily. Any irregularities in your dog’s levels need to be reported to your Vet as it could mean your pet’s treatment plan needs to be adjusted to suit their changing health needs.
Walk Your Dog
Dogs need exercise, too. Start with the basics by walking your dog. Do this very early in the morning or late in the day. Dogs suffering from diabetes shouldn't be walking under the sun's blazing heat. Even a simple exercise such as walking the dog for at least half an hour daily is already good enough. On the plus side, this benefits you, too!
If you live in an area where walking your dog regularly isn’t doable, there are indoor exercises that you can also do for your dog. The most important thing to remember is that your dog has at least half an hour of physical activity in a day.
Serve Healthy Meals to Your Dog
The health and dietary needs of a dog with diabetes are different from a healthy pet. Now is a great time to avoid all the sweet treats. Your dog needs to get a dose of healthier meals with lower fats and sugar. Generally, there are many types of healthy diabetic dog food that you can get for your pet. Even commercial food can stand as good options for as long as you read the label. The right place for you to start is to look for dog food rich in fiber and low in carbs and unhealthy fat.
Here are pointers to remember when feeding your diabetic dogs:
- Serve the same amount of food of the same type, once every 12 hours
- Start feeding your dog vegetables
- Avoid overfeeding your dog
- Eliminate unhealthy snacks or treats in between meals
- Avoid table scraps
If you have multiple dogs in your household, feed them separately to avoid overfeeding your diabetic dog.
In feeding your canine friend with vegetables, start introducing it gradually, as you would with children. Even if they're going to reject it in the first few meals, don't give up. Eventually, they're going to get used to the site of these vegetables.
Vegetables that dogs can easily love include the following:
- Broccoli
- String beans
- Cucumber slices
- Cauliflower
Avoid Stressful Situations
Dogs also need to avoid stressful situations whenever possible. If human beings get easily stressed, so do they. This stress also goes into their mind and habits. Some dogs refuse to exercise. Some would refuse their meals or medication. For a diabetic dog, this only adds more damage to their health.
Sick dogs should be in an environment with so much love and care to surround them. Don't take the stress of your day out on your dogs. Insulin injections and blood testing can also be stressful but are a necessary part of your dog’s diabetes care. Try to keep your dog as calm as possible and try to keep them relaxed.
Make Sure Everyone at Home is on the Same Page
When caring for a sick dog, everyone at home has to be following the same protocol. Diabetic dogs respond to treatment better when they can follow the routine set by the veterinarian. Also, guests coming to your home should be aware of this, especially for meal prohibitions. Even visitors in your home need to be mindful of the rules; you can’t have guests at your party feeding your dog scraps. This isn't necessarily a bad thing if not done regularly. But it can cause a sudden spike in insulin levels that day, which could be hard to control.
The same rule applies to dog treats, too. If you've got young kids who are used to feeding the dog with treats, you've got to exercise control over this. Make sure the dog treats are out of reach of the kids. Control also the portion of the treats that are to be given.
How To Know Your Dog Has Diabetes
Often the earliest signs of canine diabetes can only be noticed by a pet parent. It's essential also to know the signs of canine diabetes help you to spot the signs and better manage when in its earliest stages. Excessive thirst and an increase in urination are often the most obvious signs of canine diabetes.
When diabetes progresses, unfortunately, it can become fatal. You don't want to be too late to notice your dog is sick.
Some of the common symptoms include:
- Increased thirst and drinking water more than usual
- Sudden weight loss
- Increased frequency in urination
- Ravenous appetite
Preventing canine diabetes isn't as complicated. Like human beings, much of it also has to do with the lifestyle. You can limit their risk of developing diabetes by providing your dog with healthy meals and lots of good exercise. Even with taking these precautions, your dog can still get diabetes. When this happens, much of the work now is in your hands. Take good care of your dog, follow your doctor's orders, and your diabetic dog can live their best life.
