Diabetes Mellitus or canine diabetes is a fairly common disease experienced by dogs all around the world.
It is caused by the pancreas' inability to produce enough insulin to the body and/or the inability of the body to adequately respond to the insulin it needs.
It is a common ailment that strikes one in every five hundred dogs in the world.
There are cases wherein an acquired disease further aggravates the dog's health to trigger diabetes but generally, diabetes is an inherited disease that cannot be completely cured.
However, there are ways in controlling canine diabetes effectively so that your pet can still enjoy a relatively normal and happy lifestyle.
Find out how as you continue to read this article.
Perhaps the most important thing you can do in caring for a dog with diabetes is to ensure that he receives the recommended diet, rich in essential vitamins and nutrients.
Because of the nature of this particular ailment, it is vital that you carefully monitor his calorie and fat intake carefully.
Obese dogs are also known to be more susceptible to diabetes.
Create meals that are low in fat and high in fiber and complex carbohydrates.
The high fiber content will facilitate in absorbing the nutrients better and complex carbohydrates lower the blood glucose levels significantly.
Consult with the vet in planning what to feed your pet and if there are dietary supplements that he can recommend.
Because of the insulin deficiency in the dog's body, insulin shots are required in controlling canine diabetes.
It is critical that the vet gives you the right dosage and frequency of insulin to give to the animal.
Some of the bigger dogs may require more than the smaller dogs.
Ask the vet on the proper storage of insulin and how to administer it correctly.
Do not stay on the same area where you injected the animal.
If you keep piercing the same site, the dog may develop a scar tissue that will impede the efficacy of insulin absorption.
Never recycle old syringes even if they have been washed with strong cleansers.
This can cause infection and may further aggravate the animal's health.
While a monitored diet and regular insulin therapy is the standard treatment for managing diabetes in dogs, there are natural herbs and supplements that you can give the animal to enhance his over-all health.
Apple cider vinegar, bejak, karela, cinnamon, gymnema sylvestre, grapefruit and turmeric are known to have properties that contribute to improving his condition.
Diabetes Mellitus can also be greatly helped with regular exercise.
As we have previously mentioned, overweight dogs are more likely to have this condition so maintaining a healthy weight will be good for him.
Moreover, exercise aids in regulating blood sugar levels so be consistent when maintaining a light exercise regimen for the animal.
Caring for a dog with diabetes may require a little more work but seeing your dog enjoy a better quality of life despite a potentially crippling disease is worth it.
Do the best you can and enjoy your time together every day!