 The classic early warning signs of diabetes were all present
when I
brought my canine companion of twelve years into the Veterinarian's
clinic. Muffy was lethargic, unsteady on her feet, drinking
large amounts of
water, and experiencing incontinence for the first time
in her life. I
knew something was seriously wrong.
After blood work and a physical examination, the veterinarian
said that
Muffy had developed type-two canine diabetes. After a brief
discussion,
we decided to try and regulate her blood sugar level with
diet
modification and insulin twice daily.
At first, it was rough going. Weekly checkups revealed
Muffy's sugar
levels continued to bounce from one extreme to the other.
Determined not
give up, I monitored her urine samples at home for sugar
content and
adjusted insulin injections as necessary. Gradually, we
began to see
improvement.
After just a few months Muffy was once again her frisky
self. You would
never know by watching her race about that she had a serious
health
problem. A special diet, proper amounts of insulin and regular
exercise
have worked together with Muffy's routine veterinary care
to turn the
tide. As a result, I can look forward to many more happy
years with my
little dog.
Wyoming veterinarian Mary Flitner, who recently moved her
practice to
New Mexico, received her D.V.M. degree at Colorado State
University and
an award for excellence in large animal surgery in 1997.
Flitner states
that diabetes in dogs and cats is more common than most
people realize.
According to Flitner, a pet's chance of developing diabetes
will
increase with age.
"This is especially true in overweight, less active
dogs."
Besides
weight and age, diet is another significant factor. Dogs
given table scraps without discrimination are particularly
at risk. The importance of diet cannot be over emphasized,
warns Flitner.
"A high fiber diet, low in fat and sugar, is vital.
And an annual
checkup by a qualified professional is also an important
part of proper pet
care, as early detection of health complications increase
successful
management of the problem and helps prolong the quality
of life for that
pet."
Flitner notes many pet owners mistakenly feel caring for
a diabetic pet
would be too difficult for them, an assumption that complicates
the
decision making process at a critical time.
"A diagnosis of diabetes in a family pet is hard enough
to handle
without misconceptions compounding the problem," said
Flitner thoughtfully.
For instance, a pet owner might opt to euthanize a pet
diagnosed with
diabetes because they feel incapable of managing the problem.
However,
with proper instruction and guidance, that same pet owner
could gain the
confidence necessary to properly follow the care plan developed
by the
veterinarian, and enjoy many more quality years together
with their
pet.
"People need to know by regulating their pet's diabetes,
that pet can
still live to their full potential," said Flitner,
acknowledging most
care givers consider their pet an important part the family
and struggle
to make right health care decisions for them.
Flitner notes grocery store quality pet foods are not good
choices for
diabetic pets because of added fillers and sugars used to
improve the
taste.
"Some grocery store brands of cat food actually have
trace elements of
antifreeze in them, because cats are attracted to it. These
type foods
often have a high content of sodium, which is also unhealthy
for the
pet.
"A healthy well-balanced diet is important for any
pet, but especially
for those diagnosed with diabetes."
Early warning signs that might indicate diabetes in your
pet include:
an unusually high consumption of water, increase in appetite,
incontinence, lethargy, extreme changes in eyes (i.e. cataracts),
lack of
coordination, and vomiting. Care givers who note such changes
in their dog
should promptly call a qualified professional, because examination
by a
veterinarian is important and necessary for proper diagnosis.
Flitner also acknowledges the temptation to remove the
water bowl from
the pet's reach if incontinence is a problem.
"But, this is not the correct thing to do," instructs
Flitner.
In the case of diabetic canines, drinking large amounts
of water is the
dog's attempt to flush glucose out of the kidneys which
has spilled
over from the blood. If the glucose doesn't get flushed
out, serious
damage to the kidneys and other organs can develop.
The best preventative measures against serious health problems
in the
family pet remain simple and practical: regular veterinary
check ups,
and a healthy diet. Exercise is also very important. Among
other
benefits, exercise helps increase the body's effective use
of insulin.
For more canine health information, information on a special
dog food
formulated specifically for diabetic dogs, or other dog
products, visit
the Savvy Dog
Lover web site.
© Lori S. Anton
Savvy Pet Editor
About the Author Published
writer and dog lover, Lori Anton, has been writing for nearly
30 years. She is founder and editor for Writers Write Now,
a web site that offers original professionally written content,
and SEO content for web sites plus Editor at Savvy Dog
Lover, a web site offering valuable information on pet health,
care, and training, as well as top pet products. Visit Savvy
Dog Lover . Savvy Dog Lover – where the best bones
are buried!Lori lives in rural Wyoming with her husband,
Jeff, and their diabetic canine companion, Muffy.
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