Dog's Help

If you thought that health problems like diabetes was only the prerogative of humans then you are highly mistaken. Your adorable canine too could be a victim of diabetes. But there is nothing to worry, as the right treatment for diabetes can help you take care of your dog.

Right diet- the first step in diabetes control
Medicines or insulin shots of course are the ultimate solution of diabetes in dogs. But, providing insulin shots is not the only thing that you need to cure the problem. The first step to a proper diabetes cure in dogs is administering them with the right diet. Giving your dog a healthy diet will help bring down the sugar levels considerably.

Eliminate various fatty and sugar rich foods from your dog's diet. Instead, feed him food rich in various nutrients and fiber. Talk to your veterinarian about the right diabetic diet for dogs and he shall list you various food items that you must feed your dog with.

If your dog is suffering from mild diabetes then the right dietary changes coupled with adequate physical activity can bring the problem in control.

Insulin shots
At times, a healthy diet alone may not serve as a proper treatment for diabetes in dogs. This is more so if your dog has excessively high sugar levels. In such cases, your dog needs to be administered with insulin shots. Your vet can administer these insulin shots to your pet. However, you may also learn to do this yourself.

The insulin shots administered to diabetic dogs can be broadly categorized into three categories- short acting, medium range and long range. As the name suggests each of these types of insulin doses last for different time periods.

For instance, the short acting insulin shots have an effect on the body for over four hours only where as the long range insulin doses are effective for as long as 28 hours. Insulin shots that fall in the medium range category can last for a day. Out of all these three categories, it is the short acting insulin shots that are the most powerful.

Depending upon the health condition and sugar levels of your dog, the vet will determine the kind of insulin doses that need to be given. The vet will also suggest the frequency at which these insulin doses need to be given.

Monitoring sugar levels regularly
While you change your pet's diet and even give the requisite insulin shots, it is important for you to monitor your pet's blood sugar levels on a daily basis. This will help you alter the medications as per the sugar levels.

Treating diabetes in dogs is not all that difficult. A little bit of extra care and caution and you will be able to give your dog a healthy life.