Just like in humans, diabetes in dogs is a dangerous disease that needs a lot of care throughout the animal's life. But how to know if a puppy is diabetic? It is believed that one of the first signs that may indicate a sick dog is the presence of ants in the dog's urine, but several other symptoms are also associated with the problem. The Paws of the House spoke with veterinarian Nayara Cristina, who specializes in veterinary endocrinology, to clarify some doubts about canine diabetes. . See below what she told us!

Found ants in your dog's pee - time to sound the alarm!

When it comes to diabetes in dogs, symptoms are always an important point and facilitate the perception of the disease. As the specialist explains, the ant in the dog's pee can be a sign of canine diabetes because of the amount of sugar found in the liquid. "This happens due to the presence of glucose in the urine (glycosuria), which is not a normal situation. One of the causes of thisThe problem is that, due to the increase in glucose in the blood (hyperglycaemia), it exceeds the renal absorption threshold and ends up triggering glycosuria. The glucose in the urine, in turn, can attract the ants".

Excessive thirst is one of the symptoms of diabetes in dogs

In addition to the presence of ants in the dog's urine, another indication of diabetes is when the puppy ingests much more water than usual. "Excessive thirst is one of the clinical manifestations observed in cases of canine diabetes. With glucose in the urine, the animal tends to pee a lot, which we call polyuria. To compensate for this physiologically, the animal becomes thirstier, sohe drinks more water," the veterinarian reveals.

5 symptoms of diabetes in dogs to keep an eye out for!

The observation of the guardian is very important to identify whether the dog has diabetes or not. Changes in animal behavior can be noticed, as well as changes in the dog's body. According to Nayara, the most common symptoms of diabetes in dogs are:

• Ants in dog urine
• Peeing a lot (polyuria)
• Dog drinking too much water (polydipsia)
• Excessive hunger (polyphagia)
• Weight loss

Why do some dogs suffer from canine diabetes?

Many doubts can arise when it comes to the development of diabetes. Dogs can present two types of the disease: type I or type II diabetes. According to the veterinarian, the cause of diabetes mellitus is multifactorial, but each type occurs differently. "Type I canine diabetes is immune-mediated and leads to relative or absolute insulin deficiency. The cause morecommon type II is due to obesity, which leads to insulin resistance and thereby causes hyperglycemia, triggering clinical manifestations".

In short, canine diabetes consists of an increase in the patient's blood glucose level that can derive from a deficiency in the body to produce insulin or a "defect" in insulin, which fails to reduce blood sugar levels. To confirm the diagnosis, Nayara points out: "The diagnosis of diabetes is made with the clinical manifestations, hyperglycemia and a high blood sugar level.glycosuria".

Cataract is one of the complications of diabetes in dogs

Without treatment for diabetes, dogs can experience other health problems, such as cataracts. "The excess glucose present in the lens of the eye - due to hyperglycemia - is converted to sorbitol, which causes an increased influx of water into the lens. The increased water, in turn, causes a breakdown of the lens fibers and disruption of the normal structure. The lens becomes cloudy, resulting inin vision loss, usually in both eyes," she says.

In addition to cataracts in dogs, another possible complication of canine diabetes is a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, which happens when there is no insulin in the body. "It is a serious problem that can cause vomiting, diarrhea and inappetence. The animal needs to be hospitalized for proper treatment in these cases ".

How is canine diabetes treated?

Although there is no cure, it is possible to control canine diabetes The aim is to improve the patient's quality of life. "The treatment for diabetes in dogs insulin is administered subcutaneously every 12 hours after feeding, and should be used continuously," says the veterinarian. When it comes to type II diabetes, the disease may go into remission: "Type II usually affects bitches that became diabetic in heat, and castration removes the hormonal condition that caused the disease.As insulin returns to normal, this leads to remission. However, remission is more common in cats than in dogs."

A canine diabetes "The most important point in the preventive approach is to raise awareness of the guardians to take care of food, avoid caloric snacks, encourage physical activity, care for the weight and oral health of the animal."