SUGAR TROUBLE IN FUR BABY

Spotting diabetes in pooches is difficult since the first signs are often subtle, Team Buddy Life does a deep dive.

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If your dog has been drinking more water than usual, asking to go out more often, or suddenly shedding pounds despite a hearty appetite, it might be more than just quirky behavior or aging. These could be early signs of diabetes mellitus—a condition that's becoming increasingly common in our canine companions. And while the word “diabetes" might sound daunting, with the right care and a little love, dogs with diabetes can live long, happy lives.

So, what exactly is diabetes in dogs? Just like in humans, it's a disease that affects how the body handles sugar. Normally, a hormone called insulin helps move glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into cells, where it's used for energy. In diabetic dogs, the pancreas either doesn't produce enough insulin or the body doesn't respond to it properly. The result? Sugar builds up in the blood, but the cells stay hungry.

Most dogs develop what's called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus—similar to Type 1 diabetes in people. This means they will need daily insulin injections to stay healthy. It’s not curable, but it is manageable. And the earlier you catch it, the better the outcome.

The tricky part is that diabetes doesn't always shout—it whispers. The first signs are often subtle. You might notice your dog is drinking and peeing more than usual. Maybe they're ravenous at mealtime but still losing weight. These changes can sneak up slowly, and it's easy to chalk them up to aging or stress. But they're actually your dog's way of saying, “Something's not right.”