Friday, May 14th, 2010
As dogs age, they become more prone to developing disease and chronic illnesses. Just like with humans, diabetes is a common disorder of the hormones that can affect dogs. Overweight dogs are more susceptible to developing diabetes and female dogs seem to be inflicted with the disease more often than male dogs.
There are two forms of canine diabetes: diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. Both are endocrinal diseases and result from the body’s inability to produce sufficient hormones. Diabetes insipidus is caused by the body’s inability to produce vasopressin, a hormone that functions as an antidiuretic. Diabetes mellitus, the more common of the two, is caused by a deficiency of insulin, the hormone responsible in sugar metabolism. If insulin is lacking in the body, glucose levels increase in the blood and cause many problems. Diabetes disrupts normal metabolic functions and the body literally begins to feed on itself to find the fuel it desperately needs for maintaining metabolic processes.
Canine diabetes mellitus can be divided into two types: Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1, the more dangerous form of the condition is a juvenile onset type of diabetes that also occurs in humans. Type 2 is an acquired form of diabetes. Some breeds of dogs have a genetic disposition to developing diabetes such as Dachshunds, Poodles, Beagles and Miniature Schnauzers.
Type 2 diabetes can be the result of obesity as fat cells can become resistant to insulin in overweight pets. Healthy pets in good shape can also contract diabetes as so there is no surefire way of preventing the onset of diabetes in a dog. Proper diet and exercise may reduce the risks and it’s important to develop a healthy diet and exercise plan with the help of your veterinarian if you want to ensure your dog has a healthy lifespan.
Sometimes diabetes can be brought on by infections and viral diseases. Immune deficiencies and Cushing’s disease can also lead to diabetes in dogs.
Symptoms of diabetes may include excessive thirst and drinking resulting in large quantities or urine and even incontinence in some cases. A dog may lose weight even though he is eating well and you will find your dog becoming dehydrated despite the fact that he is drinking a lot as high blood sugar robs the cells of water.
If your dog displays any of these symptoms it’s very important that you consult your vet immediately. Left untreated diabetes can cause come and lead to death so early detection and treatment is crucial. Diabetes can affect many organs in the body and treatment should be sought as quickly as possible. Decreased resistance to fungal and bacterial infections as well as liver, bladder and renal problems can develop in dogs with diabetes. Dogs with diabetes are also more prone to developing eye cataracts and the earlier you detect the disease and begin treatment, the better your dog’s chances are. Dogs diagnosed with diabetes mellitus can lead long and normal lives with the help of insulin injections and regular blood work to monitor blood sugar levels.
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Friday, May 14th, 2010
Anyone who’s suffered from an inner ear infection knows just how painful it can be, but people can vocalize their discomfort and see a doctor for treatment, sadly this isn’t the case for dogs. A dog can suffer from an ear infection for a long time in silent agony unless his owner notices something is wrong. This makes it crucial for dog owners to pay attention to their dogs to notice if anything is wrong.
Inner or middle ear infections can develop into life threatening conditions if left untreated. Many ear infections go unnoticed by pet owners and this can result in serious complications in the pet. It is vital to keep on top of your dog’s health to ensure early detection and treatment of any issues that may be developing in your pet.
A dog that is constantly shaking his head is constantly scratching at his ears may be suffering from an ear infection. Some dogs may hold their heads in a tilted position. Some ear infections cause swelling and inflammation of the head while others will produce discharge in the ears. A bad odor coming from the ears is a sure sign that something is wrong with your dog’s ears. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms you should never delay in taking him to the vet.
Most middle and inner ear infections are caused by an irritant or infection that started on the exterior of the ear and progressed deeper. This makes it very important that you deal with any problems on the outer ear as quickly as possible. Infections can be caused by poor hygiene, ear mites and dirty living conditions. Unlike humans, ear infections in dogs are usually not of a bacterial nature.
Floppy eared dogs are particularly vulnerable to ear infections. Dogs such as cocker spaniels and bloodhounds should be regularly groomed and have their ears checked for any sign of infection. Floppy eared dogs should also have the hairs in their ears clipped to reduce the risk of infection or dirt getting trapped inside the ear.
If you suspect your dog has an ear infection you should take him to the vet immediately. Your vet will perform an otoscopic examination of the dog to determine if there is a problem and may even take an x ray. In some cases, sedation may be required so the vet can thoroughly examine the ear and perform a cleansing flush.
Treatment usually involves the application of an antibiotic or anti-fungal cream or drops. Oral antibiotics may also be prescribed at the discretion of the vet. If ear mites are the culprit, your vet will provide you with medication to get rid of the mites. Pain relieving drops may also be prescribed to make your pet feel more comfortable. Your vet will also advise you to clean your dog’s ears before applying any medication as this is very important.
Neglecting to address ear infections can result in serious health issues and an untreated ear problem may eventually require costly surgery. Keep your pet clean, monitor his ears for any sign that something is wrong and consult with your vet at the first sign of a problem. Grooming your dog regularly and keeping his ears clean and dry should go a long way in preventing ear infections.
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