Introduction of Diabetes in Dogs

Diabetes could be explained as the chronic disease that can affect daily life of dogs; sugar diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) is a common type of diabetes that is most often in the dogs. Diabetic dogs are unable to perform their daily tasks (Rijnberk, 2012).

Thesis Statement of Diabetes in Dogs

Diabetes can affect dog’s capability to perform daily tasks; dog with diabetes requires some specific diet that may be not affordable for many dog owners.

Diabetic dogs can affect their families also as they suffer from polydipsia (excessive water consumption), polyuria (excessive urination, polyphagia (greater than average appetite) etc. diabetic dogs may also become blind, also suffer weight loss, anorexia, vomiting, weakness etc. (Davison, 2016)

Literature Review of Diabetes in Dogs

How to prevent diabetes in dogs?

According to the research conducted by Ganguly (2015) dietary control as well as the daily injections of insulin can be helpful in order to provide healthy lives to the diabetic dogs. However, the oral hypoglycemic agents are not suitable for the dogs because the difference of pancreases and insulin requirements as it is proved to be effective in treating diabetes in people. Insulin requirements according to the blood glucose curve, dog’s weight, degree of pancreatic failure and activity level of the dog should be studied before giving them insulin (Ganguly, 2015).

Behavioral management and lifestyle management should be concerned if diabetic dogs need to be treated. There is the need of increasing physical activity as well as the dietary therapy so that dogs can stay healthy and in this way, there can be lean tissue preservation. Physical activities suggested for dogs are treadmills, lead walking. Hydrotherapy, swimming etc. (German, 2006)

 What are the types of dog diabetes?

According to the research conducted by Hoenig (2014) obesity and diabetes mellitus is the common diseases in the human beings, cats and dogs. The prevalence of diabetes is increasing in dogs due to obesity and genetic reasons also. Due to the increase in the fasting blood glucose pest develop diabetes. Obesity in dogs is related with the nutritional disorder and according to the studies there are 55% of the dogs who are overweight. Canine obesity is identified as the issue that is major issue of diabetes. Canine obesity can be one of the reasons of canine diabetes in dogs (Hoenig, 2014).

According to the research conducted by Qadri, Ganguly, Praveen, & Wakchaure (2015) diabetes mellitus is type diabetes in dogs; it is the disease of the pancreas that is the small and vital organ in dogs and helps them in proper digestion. However, if there is no balance of the hormone insulin then dogs can suffer from diabetes mellitus (Qadri, Ganguly, Praveen, & Wakchaure, 2015).

How often does the dog need to be checked for diabetes?

According to the research conducted by Behrend, Holford, Lathan, Rucinsky, & Schulman (2018) is based on the lean body; the dog’s daily caloric requirements need to be evaluated for the prevention of the diabetes; however, the body weight should be calculated least once or twice monthly by using the same scale.  In order to focus and maintain optimal weight, the BCS should also be measured as it based on the dietary intake. In dogs, there should be about 1–2% reduction in weight per wk and protein in dogs should be managed (Behrend, Holford, Lathan, Rucinsky, & Schulman, 2018).

According to the research conducted by Ingadottir & Halldorsdottir (2008) there are concerns regarding examining the blood sugar level everyday through using a glucometer for dogs. There should be flexibility in diet and activities in order to keep the blood pressure normal. There should be examination of the blood pressure everyday also (Ingadottir & Halldorsdottir, 2008).

References of Diabetes in Dogs

Behrend, E., Holford, A., Lathan, P., Rucinsky, R., & Schulman, R. (2018). 2018 AAHA diabetes management guidelines for dogs and cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association , 54 (1), 1-21.

Davison, L. (2016). Laboratory evaluation of hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia. In BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Clinical Pathology , 314-332.

Ganguly, S. (2015). Canine Diabetes Mellitus: Diagnosis, Adequate Care and Overall Management Practices Involved. International journal of pharmacy & life sciences , 5 (11), 4022-4023.

German, A. J. (2006). The growing problem of obesity in dogs and cats. The Journal of nutrition , 136 (7), 1940S-1946S.

Hoenig, M. (2014). Comparative Aspects of Human, Canine, and Feline Obesity and Factors Predicting Progression to Diabete. Veterinary sciences , 121-135.

Ingadottir, B., & Halldorsdottir, S. (2008). To discipline a “dog”: the essential structure of mastering diabetes. Qualitative Health Research , 18 (5), 606-619.

Qadri, K., Ganguly, S., Praveen, P. K., & Wakchaure, R. (2015). Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs and its Associated Complications: A Review. International Journal of Recent Biotechnology , 3 (4), 18-22.

Rijnberk, A. (2012). Clinical Endocrinology of Dogs and Cats: An Illustrated Text. Springer Science & Business Media.