Dog's Help

Diabetes is one health problem in dogs that could lead to various health issues and even death if not met with the appropriate treatment. To treat the problem, you need to diagnose it in the first place. And that can only be done if you are well versed with the symptoms of canine diabetes.

Here are some symptoms that can help you diagnose if your dog has diabetes.

Lethargy
Is your dog acting too lazy? Does he refuse to play each time? If yes, then there are chances that your dog may be suffering from diabetes. Lethargy in dogs not just indicates the presence of diabetes but several other health problems too.

Excessive hunger
When your dog is suffering from diabetes, his body in an attempt to balance itself feels hungrier. Diabetic dogs usually consume up to five to six times the food of their normal food intake.

Extreme thirst
This is one of the most prominent symptom of diabetes in dogs. If your dog feels excessively thirsty, there are high chances that he may be suffering from diabetes. This excessive thirst is a result of inadequate metabolism of glucose in the body. So, you must make sure that you check the water consumption of your pet.

Increased urination
When your dog is drinking excessive water, it is only obvious that he will urinate often. If you think that your dog is urinating more than normal, you may consult your veterinarian about the same.

Weakness
Some dogs may show various signs of weakness when suffering from diabetes. These signs could include shakiness, trembling, inability to stand properly and an unsteady gait.

Poor vision
Diabetes may hamper the vision of your pet. Your pet may have problem seeing things if his sugar levels are extremely high. Diabetes can even result in cataracts in dogs.

Weight loss or weight gain
This is yet another very important symptom of diabetes in dogs. Dogs who suffer from diabetes experience unexplained weight loss or weight gain. If you see abnormal fluctuations in your dog's weight, then a consultation with the veterinarian is suggested.

Frailty
Dogs who have extremely high sugar levels may have thinning or falling hair. Their skin may also become delicate and papery. This happens as a result of the body breaking down its own tissues to survive. However, this happens only in advanced cases.

While there are some common symptoms of diabetes, some dogs may not exhibit any of these symptoms at all. Thus, it would only be wise if you do not rely completely on any of these symptoms. Take your dog to the vet for regular check up to identify the problem at the earliest.