Your Puggle has been diagnosed with diabetes, and this can feel very frightening. Most people have heard of diabetes because it is so common in humans. However, it is a common misconception that dogs do not get diabetes; they are susceptible to diabetes just like humans are. The difference is the symptoms of diabetes may be less noticeable, as dogs aren’t always as symptomatic as humans.
Dogs can develop diabetes at any age, and like human diabetes, it usually goes unnoticed for a long time. In addition, the symptoms or side effects of diabetes are different for each dog because they react differently to the disease.
But what does a diabetes diagnosis mean for your Puggle?
Diabetes mellitus (or Sugar Diabetes) is the most common form of diabetes in dogs. The symptoms are often less noticeable than in humans, so it is essential to understand how to detect the disease and treat it before severe symptoms appear. Frequently, dogs with diabetes seem perfectly normal until they develop one of several symptoms. At this point, the disease has progressed to the point where treatment will not halt its progression; however, treatment can be successful once the condition is diagnosed correctly. Thus, pet owners must learn how to recognize the symptoms of this disorder.
Diabetes is not a death sentence for your dog. Instead, understanding diabetes in a Puggle is the key to providing good care. With reasonable care and monitoring, they can lead a long and healthy life. Puggle diabetes treatment can be a challenge, but it’s essential to get started right away.
In this handy guide, you’ll learn how to give your Puggle the care he needs without stress or excess worry. What exactly is diabetes in dogs? And how can you tell if your pet has it?
With the correct information and supplies, you’ll be on your way to managing any diabetic dog effectively.
Puggle Diabetes Explained
Diabetes mellitus is a common disease in dogs and cats. It is a severe, potentially fatal disorder that affects the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and, thus, blood glucose levels.
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder in which the body cannot properly convert sugar into energy. All cells need fuel for energy, and they get their power from glucose. Glucose comes from two sources: carbohydrates (sugars and starches) and fats. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, absorbed into the blood, and then transported to cells. If there is more glucose than the cell needs, the excess sugar is stored for future use in the liver and muscles in the form of glycogen (animal starch). This storage process is called glycogenesis.
If there is not enough insulin to move sugar out of the bloodstream, it builds up in the blood and spills over into the urine. The kidneys cannot reabsorb all of this sugar, so it ends up in the urine, where it can be tested. Diabetes mellitus may be seen as early as four weeks in puppies born prematurely at less than five pounds.
There are two types of canine diabetes mellitus: Type I and Type II. The most common type is type 1, which accounts for a large percentage of all diagnosed cases of diabetes in dogs. Type 1 is also known as insulin-dependent or juvenile-onset diabetes because it typically develops in middle-aged or younger dogs. This form of diabetes is characterized by the pancreas’ inability to produce any insulin. It is an autoimmune disease that attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin.
Type II diabetes is also referred to as a non-insulin-dependent disease. It usually occurs in older animals due to an inability to use the insulin produced effectively.
A dog with diabetes has high amounts of glucose in both his blood and brain (since there isn’t enough insulin to move it), so he tends to be hungry all of the time since his body thinks it’s starving. The liver and kidneys are adversely affected because these organs also need glucose for energy and because of the extra work they have to do carrying excess fluid out of the body. The disease can be fatal if not treated, but the dog owner can often manage it with medication. The medication is usually a pill or an injection that contains insulin. The dog’s guardian must carefully monitor the dog, and you must also adjust his food intake accordingly. This disease is not curable at this time, but it can be managed successfully for many years with good care. It is usually best to treat diabetes when diagnosed in its early stages because the dog’s guardian can more easily manage the condition.
Diabetes insipidus is a rare condition that occurs when a dog’s kidneys cannot reabsorb water after they have filtered it out of the bloodstream. As a result, large amounts of dilute urine are produced and passed by the dog.
Causes of Diabetes in Puggles
So, what exactly causes diabetes in Puggles?
There are several possible causes for diabetes in your Puggle. Genetic predisposition is one likely cause, as some Puggles seem to be predisposed to diabetes, and dogs with diabetes may also have affected relatives. In addition, some medical conditions predispose a dog to develop diabetes. The conditions most commonly associated with diabetes are Cushing’s, pancreatitis, and obesity.
Damage to the pancreas can reduce or even stop insulin production, which is ultimately how diabetes starts. So how and why does this happen? Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) can lead to damage to the pancreas, which can then bring on diabetes. The most common cause of pancreatitis is too much fat in the diet. Also, obese dogs are more prone to pancreatitis, so obesity can also increase the chance of becoming diabetic.
In general, diabetes is more common in older dogs, often appearing when they’re 7 to 9 years old, but it can occur as early as five years old and as late as 15 years old.
If the condition goes untreated for a long time, your Puggle can experience complications such as cataracts in both eyes, chronic infections in the urinary tract, and kidney failure. In addition, as their glucose levels increase, their red blood cells become thickened with sugar molecules. This thickening makes them unable to transport oxygen throughout the body effectively. It can lead to a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, which occurs when the blood becomes acidic from lack of oxygen.
How Diabetes Can Affect Your Puggle
Affected Puggles have a constant thirst because they are losing water when they urinate. This is due to the inability of the kidneys to concentrate urine normally. As a result, the dog may drink more than its usual amount of water, eat less food than average, or both. As a result, the dog will pass large amounts of urine and may display urinary tract infections (such as frequent urination and licking of the genital area). In addition, the dog is usually lazy and has abnormally high sugar levels in its bloodstream (hyperglycemia), so much that it spills into the urine.
The long-term complications of diabetes mellitus can be very damaging to more extensive and smaller blood vessels throughout the body (macrovascular and microvascular disease), resulting in damage to the heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves and gums, skin, and stomach muscles.
It is essential you keep an eye on your Puggle to detect diabetes before it is advanced. According to the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, “Canine diabetes is similar to T1D (type-1 diabetes) in people and may also be due to autoimmunity, however research so far has not given a clear answer. We believe that detecting dogs that are at risk of diabetes, or dogs that are in the early stages of disease, may be key to discovering why dogs get diabetes and whether early treatment may beneficial.”
The Life Expectancy of a Puggle With Diabetes
Severe diabetes is detrimental to your Puggle’s health. But, in truth, diabetes is not necessarily a death sentence for a dog if it’s caught in time and treated appropriately. Unfortunately, however, there is no cure for diabetes in dogs, so they will always need some level of care. But, as long as you are willing to put in a little bit of work to provide your Puggle with the right food and lifestyle, they will live a happy life alongside you!
A Puggle with maintained diabetes will lead a happy life and can live to be between 10 and 15 years old.
Signs That Your Puggle Might Have Diabetes
When it comes to identifying whether your Puggle may have diabetes, there are a few symptoms that you can look for in your sweet pup!
First off, Puggles with untreated diabetes often have a sweet smell around their mouth. Secondly, they may have trouble urinating or have difficulty walking because their muscles are weak from having too much sugar in their blood. Finally, Puggles with high blood sugar can also get infections quickly.
Another sign of diabetes in dogs is often weight loss. As sugar builds up in the blood, your dog will lose their appetite and may drink more water than usual.
Puggles with type I diabetes may also have increased urination and thirst. These symptoms can develop suddenly, or they may be gradual; a Puggle with type II diabetes tends to develop them over time. Dog diabetes can cause a range of severe illnesses if left untreated, including kidney damage, cataracts, liver problems, and obesity.
Dogs fed a high carbohydrate diet are especially at risk for diabetes. Therefore, owners of these dogs should monitor the quantity of food given and the ratio of carbohydrates to proteins and fats, as well as the amount of exercise. Diet plays a critical role in controlling diabetes mellitus; diet alone is often possible to maintain an average blood glucose level.
If you find out your dog has this condition, it’s essential to get it treated immediately. If left untreated, diabetes can have devastating effects on your pet’s health, and dogs with diabetes must be managed for the rest of their lives.
How To Care for and Treat Your Puggle for Diabetes
Even though diabetes is a manageable disease, it’s not curable. However, treating your dog’s diabetes is something you can learn to do yourself. A little preparation and some patience on your part will ensure you and your dog will live happily ever after.
So, what’s the best way to keep your Puggle’s diabetes in check? Diet and exercise are essential components of keeping your dog’s blood sugar levels regular. Overall treatment must be tailored to each individual dog depending on its age, weight, sex, and medical history.
If your Puggle has been diagnosed with diabetes, you will want to focus on finding the best diet for your dog. There are many different brands on the market you can choose from when it comes to food. However, many of them may not be suitable for your Puggle. That is why it is essential to do some research before choosing which food is right for your diabetic dog.
If necessary, you can learn how to check your dog’s blood sugar at home and monitor their urine and weight. Also, you may need to give your Puggle daily insulin injections if the disease is not well controlled on dietary changes. Usually, you’ll need to offer insulin twice daily and at certain times to coincide with meals.
Treating diabetes in dogs is usually a lifelong commitment. Your dog may require additional medications or insulin shots as your Puggle ages, but it’s important not to give up hope or become discouraged.
Blood Testing Kits We Recommend
How To Help Your Puggle Live a Fulfilling Life With Diabetes
The goal of treating your Puggle’s diabetes is to keep your dog’s blood sugar levels within a normal range, which keeps them from feeling sick due to the effects of too much sugar in their blood. Sugar causes problems throughout the body – in the brain, kidneys, eyes, and heart.
Diabetes management can be challenging because it requires lifestyle changes for you and your pet. For example, you will need to control what and how much food your Puggle eats, monitor her exercise regimen, and limit her intake of treats and table scraps. Additionally, you must be vigilant about monitoring urine glucose levels and administering insulin injections.
Low-fat and high-quality protein food will usually do when choosing the right food for your dog breed, and there may be value in switching your Puggle’s food to all-natural dog food with complex carbohydrates. These carbohydrates help slow down the absorption of glucose in their body, making it great in managing your Puggle’s diabetes.
Your Puggle’s diet should include lean meats and avoid saturated fats, salt, and sugar. In addition, make sure your dog eats at the exact times every day, so he has stable blood glucose levels throughout the day. If possible, divide his daily food into two meals instead of three smaller meals to keep blood glucose more stable (to have sufficient insulin).
When it comes to providing a comfortable life with your Puggle while managing its diabetes, it’s important to remember human food can be detrimental to its health. It’s also important to be sensitive with the dog treats you offer your Puggle. You can provide food that helps keep them from having low blood sugar without overdoing it. Luckily, it’s easy to find high-quality dog treats that are okay if your pet has diabetes.
One of the Puggles’ most common health conditions is obesity, which leads to diabetes. A number of factors contribute to obesity in dogs, including high-calorie diets and lack of exercise. For a Puggle, it can be challenging to get the required amount of activity because many are overweight to begin with. This challenge is compounded by the fact that frequent short walks aren’t sufficient to lower one’s weight, so your dog may need more sustained exercise than what you’re giving them. Increasing your Puggle’s activity level will help ensure you’re managing their diabetes and will make your Puggle healthier and happier. For example, if you have stairs in your home, this can be a great way to burn extra calories (and put in some quality time together). Playing fetch or other games will also be beneficial if you have a yard and don’t mind getting dirty. And if your Puggle enjoys swimming or splashing around in the water, that’s another excellent way to manage their weight and diabetes!
Interestingly enough, data from a recent study “indicated that owners of a dog with diabetes were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes during follow-up than owners of a dog without diabetes. It is possible that dogs with diabetes could serve as a sentinel for shared diabetogenic health behaviours and environmental exposures.”
If you are worried about the complications caused by Diabetes mellitus, then it is essential you get your dog diagnosed as soon as possible. The key to managing diabetes is consistency and patience. Like humans, losing weight and controlling diabetes takes time and needs an overall lifestyle change. It’s not going to happen overnight, but it can happen!
