4 Things To Do If Your Dog Is Vomiting
If your dog only vomits once and then stops, don't worry. Sometimes he or she may have eaten too fast, or perhaps they might have an upset tummy after eating something strange while "dumpster-diving" or otherwise rooting around in weird foods. If your dog vomits several times, however, and looks like they might continue to do so, you need to take action. Here are some steps to follow. 1. Fast Your Dog Take away your dog´s food so that their stomach can rest. Though there is some controversy about this, a healthy dog can easily go without food for 24 hours. If you feel better about taking your dog to the vet right away, that is certainly okay. The exam or lab work might reveal an abnormality that can be treated immediately. 2. Be Careful About Your Dog Drinking Water Make sure your dog is not drinking and filling up on water; if they are drinking, they are not fasting. Be sure to close the bathroom door and put the seat down! If your dog is old, very tiny, or has other health problems, keeping them without water is NOT a good idea. An old dog should be taken to the vet as soon as they start vomiting. 3. After the Vomiting Stops, Let the Dog Have Some Bland Food and Small Amounts of Water If vomiting stops after a simple fast, they can be put back onto water. You can do this by giving the dog ice cubes to lick, and then small amounts of water if the dog holds them down with no problems. You can also offer bland food — white rice with boiled hamburger or chicken breast is a good diet to use when it is time to resume feeding. A 75% rice to 25% low-fat meat is a good ratio to follow. If they are holding everything down, you should feed the dog small meals four or five times a day for a few days, and then switch back to regular food slowly. I do not recommend you give any Continue reading >>
A Dog With Diabetes: Drinking Too Much Water May Be A Sign Of Trouble
The problem with treating pets is that they can’t tell you what’s wrong which can make being a veterinarian quite tricky. For instance for the general practitioner in a busy area of town, not a week goes by where someone comes in with an animal with an old festering wound or a large relatively slow growing tumor, who says, “It just appeared yesterday”. Or owners who have no idea if their pet’s appetite or energy level are normal. Luckily for veterinarians, sometimes owners are quite observant and help draw a beeline to what’s wrong. Take for instance my visit with Mrs. Ecks and her dog Whyzee. It went something like this: I entered the room and there she was, sitting expectantly on the exam table. An 8-year old adult Chihuahua as soft as a stuffed burrito. She stood and wagged her tail at me and her whole rear-end followed. Why was she here? Vaccines? Routine geriatric exam? Heart disease? Dental Work-up? As usual, a view from across the room yielded scant clues. Luckily the record held a hint. “Urine problem,” it stated in the familiar handwriting of the hospital receptionist. Good. That narrowed it down to about twenty or thirty conditions. I was ready for more information so I made my move. “Hi, Mrs. Ecks. What can we do for Whyzee today?” “Well for the past few days she’s been drinking a lot, urinating a lot, and her breath smells like acetone. She also seems much hungrier than normal.” A suspiciously simple diagnosis, I scanned Mrs. Ecks for a hidden camera. Was she a spy sent by the hospital owner to check on my diagnostic abilities? Probably not. If so, the case wouldn’t have been so easy. Was she a nurse? Did she already know what Whyzee had? Or was she just a very astute owner with an uncommonly accurate sense of smell? While examini Continue reading >>
Diabetes Mellitus In Dogs
Diabetes mellitus is a common illness in dogs. It is caused by either a decreased production of insulin or decreased functioning of the insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps glucose move from the blood stream into the cells of the body where it can be used for energy. What causes diabetes in dogs? There appear to be many factors that can contribute to the development of diabetes in dogs. Genetics plays a role. Some diabetes may be immune-mediated. This means the dog's immune system works against the pancreas as it tries to produce insulin. What dogs are most at risk of developing diabetes? Dogs of any age can develop diabetes, but most are between 7 and 9 years old. Females appear to be at increased risk. Certain breeds appear to be more at risk, including Samoyeds, Australian terriers, miniature schnauzers, pugs, and miniature and toy poodles. Dogs who have had multiple episodes of pancreatitis also appear to be more likely to develop diabetes mellitus. What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes in dogs? Most dogs with diabetes will have increased thirst and urination. Although the appetite is usually good or increased, there is often weight loss. Some dogs, however, may become obese. In some cases, blindness due to cataracts may be the first indication to an owner that there is a problem. Cataracts would appear as cloudy eyes with vision loss. Several diseases often occur in conjunction with diabetes mellitus, including Cushing's disease (hyperadrenocorticism), urinary tract infections, hypothyroidism, acute pancreatitis and cancer. The presence of these diseases can complicate the diagnosis and effective treatment of diabetes. Dogs may develop a serious complication of diabetes known as ketoacidosis. In this emergency condition, the blood Continue reading >>
Algae For Pet Health: An Integrative Approach
My veterinary training did not include anything about the use of algae. To me algae was that slippery stuff that grew in ponds and which I loved to look at when studying cells as a child. Now scientists are very interested in algae. This “first food” may assist us with our energy crisis, provide us with new nutritional and pharmaceutical products, help address global warming and reduce pollutants in the environment. As a veterinarian who practices integrative medicine, I find a myriad of uses for various types of algae. My first exposure to medical algae was in 1983. I was a conventional veterinarian at that time. An Irish setter dog that I recently diagnosed with insulin dependent diabetes was doing well on his conventional therapy when his owner asked me what we could do to reverse the dog’s diabetes. I laughed inside because I knew that diabetes was an irreversible disease condition in dogs. I gently told him this and was a bit shocked when he reprimanded me for my ideas. He suggested that just because medical books and medical science did not yet know a cure for diabetes, as a responsible and caring healthcare professional I should be more interested in cure over simply managing the disease signs. His attitude shocked me a bit. At that time I believed that science belonged in the hallowed halls of universities and I trusted drug companies and professors to develop the next breakthrough in treating various chronic diseases. I viewed my job as a clinician to be done if I had read my veterinary journals, attended my continuing education meetings and was prescribing the best available treatment plans. I was a bit upset that this client thought I should do more and I told him that. I challenged him to fix the dog himself if he could. Three months later the dog was Continue reading >>
What To Do If Your Diabetic Dog Won't Eat
A diabetic dog who will not eat is not something to ignore. Many diabetic canines are given insulin shots to control their blood sugar levels, but giving insulin to a dog who has not eaten for some time can be extremely dangerous. It is never advised to give an insulin injection to your pet if he hasn't eaten his food. To learn more about what to do if your diabetic dog won't eat, read on. Insulin Injections and Diabetic Dogs As stated previously, many canines with diabetesare given insulin injections to control blood sugar levels. Insulin injections may be important when treating diabetes in your pet, in combination with the proper diet and exercise . But when a diabetic dog hasn't eaten, however, insulin therapy can be very dangerous. Insulin is a hormone that controls glucose levels in the blood, and giving a dog insulin when he has an empty stomach can cause hypoglycemia very quickly. The dangers of the hypoglycemia would be far worse than the dangers of missing an injection of insulin. Hypoglycemia can rapidly lead to death in dogs, which is why it is advised that pet owners skip an insulin injection if their pet hasn't eaten his meal. How Do I Get My Diabetic Dog to Eat? If your pet is ignoring his food or seems uninterested in it, pet owners should try mixing a small amount of wet canned food into the dry food. They should make sure that each piece of the dry dog food is coated with the wet food. If your pet does eat, you may then give him the insulin injection. If he still does not eat, do not give the injection. Your pet may experience high blood sugar for a very short time, but it will not be enough to cause harm. If your pet continues to have a decrease in appetite and will not eat, immediately consult your veterinarian. Especially in diabetic dogs, the prope Continue reading >>
Guidelines To Bg Interpretation
Due to the individual responses each pet has to insulin, differences in regulation levels being sought, and management style, it is important to review these guidelines with your vet and write down exactly what he/she wants you to do. Blood Glucose Goals for Diabetics Non-Diabetic Normal BG Cats Between 100 mg/dL and 300 mg/dL approximately 65-135 mg/dL Dogs without cataracts Between 100 mg/dL and 200 mg/dL approximately 70-150 mg/dL Dogs already blind from cataracts Between 100 mg/dL and 250 mg/dL approximately 70-150 mg/dL Timing is important: Always interpret your BG level in terms of where it occurs in the insulin and food cycle. You will need to have the results of at least one curve on the present insulin to know how your pet responds throughout the insulin and food cycle, and approximately when peak occurs. Until you know your pet's usual response at a given point in the cycle, you don't know if their BGs are expected to drop farther or if they are probably on the way up. The seriousness and degree of intervention needed can be very different for the same BG reading, based on whether BGs are usually falling or rising at the time of the BG test. Until you have enough experience with testing to be confident that your technique is consistent, your readings may vary due to procedural inconsistencies, rather than real changes in blood glucose levels. It is generally safer for your pet to have a somewhat higher BG than to run the risk of Hypoglycemia, though dogs risk developing cataracts and blindness at high BG levels (cats eyes are not affected this way). A single insulin dose may be reduced substantially or skipped entirely with minor repercussions (higher BG levels at next pre-shot). If ketones are present, especially if Ketoacidosis has developed, some insulin (a Continue reading >>
What Causes Diabetes In Dogs? The Signs, Symptoms And What To Do About It
Did you know one out of every 300 dogs is diagnosed with diabetes? Especially in senior and middle aged dogs, diabetes is becoming frighteningly common in dogs today. Once your dog gets diabetes, he will most likely need insulin for the rest of his life. So it’s really important to do everything you can to prevent your dog from becoming diabetic. There are many things that can contribute to the risk of your dog getting diabetes … but the good news is, there are also lots of things you can do to help prevent it and minimize the risk. So we called on an expert to tell us how to do that. At Raw Roundup 2017, Dr Jean Hofve gave a talk on canine diabetes and its connection to diet and environmental factors and the best ways to prevent it. But first, what is diabetes and what’s the difference between the two types of the disease? What Is Diabetes? Diabetes is all about glucose and how the body handles it. All cells use glucose as their primary source of energy. The pancreas produces the hormones that control glucose … primarily insulin and glucagon. The pancreas is mostly made up of tissue that secretes digestive enzymes … but about 5% of the pancreas is made up of beta cells that produce insulin.The body’s cells need glucose for energy – it’s their primary fuel. But glucose can’t get into those cells without the help of insulin. Dr Hofve explains insulin as the key to a lock … the cells need the “key” (insulin) to let the glucose in. When glucose can’t get into the cells without insulin, it builds up in the blood. This causes hyperglycemia, meaning too much sugar in the blood (hyper = too much, glyc = sugar and emia = in the blood) This is why the pancreas and its creation of insulin is so important. And when it’s not working right, your dog can b Continue reading >>
Feline Diabetes Or Living With A Diabetic Cat
About a week and a half ago, I noticed that Barnes (one of our two older cats) was thinner than he used to be--so much so that I felt his bones when I gave him the sort of back scratching that he loves so much. Both he and his brother (Noble) are about 10 years old and have nearly always been on the heavy site. And, of course, don't get to a vet regularly because they utterly detest cat trips. Last Thursday we realized that it wasn't getting any better and took him over to the vet (Kirkwood Animal Hospital and Dr. Ueno) to see what was going on. Some on-line reading led me to believe that it was likely a case of Hyperthyroidism, which I'd heard of and thought was somewhat common in aging cats. However, the doctor called back on Friday morning to tell me that Barnes was diabetic. :-( Not only did that mean another trip to the vet and a 6-8 hour stay for glucose testing, it also likely meant insulin shots for the rest of his hopefully long life. It wasn't long before I found the FelineDiabetes.com web site and began reading about what this was likely to mean: dietary changes, closer monitoring, daily shots, and so on. To make a long story short, Barnes is doing better now. He and the other three cats are adjusting to eating a low-carb cat food (Purina DM). I have an appointment for his brother Noble to get checked out next week. If he's headed down the same path, a distinct possibility given the role that genetics can play, we'd like to catch it ASAP. The food is more expensive and the insulin shots aren't nearly as bad as I expected. But I really wish this hadn't happened. Diabetes puts him at risk for other complications down the road--just like in humans. What you need to know... If you're a cat owner, here are a few suggestions from our experience: Feed your cats a go Continue reading >>
4 Signs Of An Impending Diabetic Pet Emergency
Caring for a diabetic pet can be challenging, but there are certain precautions pet owners can take to prevent a diabetic emergency like hypoglycemia. Preventing a health crisis in a dog or cat with diabetes involves employing a consistent daily routine involving diet, exercise, insulin therapy, and supplementation. It also involves avoiding any and all unnecessary vaccinations. Even the most diligent pet parent can find himself facing a diabetic emergency with a dog or cat. Hypoglycemia is the most common health crisis, and is usually the result of an inadvertent overdose of insulin. Symptoms of hypoglycemia can appear suddenly and include lethargy or restlessness, anxiety or other behavioral changes, muscle weakness or twitching, seizures, coma, and death. At-home treatment for a diabetic pet with hypoglycemia is determined by whether or not the animal is alert. Signs of other potential impending diabetic emergencies include ketones in the urine; straining to urinate or bloody urine; vomiting or diarrhea; or a complete loss of appetite or reduced appetite for several days. By Dr. Becker Caring for a diabetic pet can be quite complex and time consuming. It involves regular monitoring of blood glucose levels, making necessary dietary adjustments, giving insulin injections or oral medications, and keeping a careful eye on your pet at all times. Frequent veterinary visits are the norm for dogs and cats with diabetes, as are the costs associated with checkups, tests, medical procedures, and insulin therapy. And unlike humans with the disease, our pets can’t tell us how they’re feeling or help in their own treatment and recovery. Preventing Diabetic Emergencies The key to preventing diabetic emergencies with a pet involves implementing a consistent daily routine and sti Continue reading >>
Caring For Diabetic Dogs – Lots Of Tips
This page is a tribute to our angel – Baby Sassy — the wonderful yorkie you see in our diabetes videos. I often get asked for more advice about caring for Diabetic Dogs so perhaps these additional tips will help you. We love our dogs just like our kids – always have. I’m sure you feel the same. Please know that although it’s scary at first to care for a dog with diabetes, YOU CAN DO IT and your dog needs you. After a month or so, it will all become like normal for you. Keep in mind that I am not a vet and I do recommend you talk to your vet for specific advice on your pet, however I’m happy to relate my experiences learned from selling insulin products for years and later caring for my own pet with Diabetes. WHY Check Blood Glucose at home vs just letting the vet do it? Although I am not a vet, I am very disappointed to hear that many vets do not encourage you to check Blood Sugar (BS) – if you are capable of doing it (which you are) then why would you not want to know what Your dog’s BS is at? Knowledge is power and when you are talking about diabetes that knowledge is so important. **Like I said in the videos, how do you know how much insulin to give if you do not know the BS prior to injection?** Doing a BS reading gives you this knowledge. Otherwise, if you don’t know the BS and you give insulin and Your dog is already low, that would be dangerous. If he is high and you don’t know that, then you won’t give enough insulin and he’ll just stay high so the insulin dose your gave won’t accomplish very much. The key to the entire operation is knowing the BS. It’s so easy to get a reading that it’s foolish NOT to know. We strongly recommend you keep a journal. Make notes about when your dog ate (make food notes if the meal is different than no Continue reading >>
How To Care For A Dog With Diabetes
How To Care For A Dog With Diabetes Diabetes in dogs is a complex disease caused by either a lack of the hormone insulin or an inadequate response to insulin. After a dog eats, his digestive system breaks food into various components, including glucose-which is carried into his cells by insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas. When a dog does not produce insulin or cannot utilize it normally, his blood sugar levels elevate. The result is hyperglycemia, which, if left untreated, can cause many complicated health problems for a dog. It is important to understand, however, that diabetes is considered a manageable disorder-and many diabetic dogs can lead happy, healthy lives. Why Dogs Get Diabetes Type 1 diabetes, the form of the disease that strikes the young, is actually quite rare in companion animals when they reach middle-age or senior years. Your dog is much more likely to develop Type II (adult-onset) diabetes around middle age or in his senior years, as a result of a lifestyle that has led to decreased production of insulin or the inability of his body to use it efficiently. Obesity is far and away the biggest reason pets become diabetic. You can help your dog stay trim by feeding him a portion controlled, moisture rich species-appropriate diet consisting primarily of a variety of unadulterated protein sources, healthy fats, veggies and fruit in moderation, and specific nutritional supplements as necessary. Your pet has no biological requirement for grains or most other carbs. Carbs, which can be as much as 80 percent the ingredient content of processed pet food, turn into sugar in your pet’s body. Excess sugar in dogs leads to diabetes. Another lifestyle-related reason pets develop diabetes, one that often goes hand-in-hand with poor nutrition, is lack of phy Continue reading >>
3 Things Your Vet Might Not Tell You About Treating Your Diabetic Dog
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, diabetes affects approximately one in every 500 dogs. Chuck, my senior Pug mix, was diagnosed with the disease shortly after I adopted him. He was 10 years old and severely overweight when he came from the shelter. Although I did get his weight down by 25 percent thanks to a lot of walks, all that extra heft undoubtedly contributed to the onset of his disease. (Please don’t let your dogs get fat, it’s so dangerous to their health!) When your dog is diagnosed with diabetes, there is a ton of information to learn. Yet, there are quite a few things you may just take at face value without even thinking to question. Trust me, don’t do that. Always be inquisitive. Here is what I learned by managing Chuck’s diabetes. 1. There are different types of insulin When Chuck got his first insulin prescription, it was for Humulin N. I went to Costco and paid $130 for a bottle that would last a month. Over the next few days, I did some research and discovered Chuck could be moved to Novolin N (a different type of insulin). This is an equally expensive drug, but I finally found it for $24.88 at my local Walmart. Never underestimate the value of shopping around. Pharmacies frequently have contracts with certain drug companies that affect which drugs they sell and how much they cost. When your dog is diagnosed, invest the time into exploring your medication options. When asked, Chuck’s vet didn’t even know there were two insulins (she just jotted down the one she knew about), and it took some independent research on my part to determine Chuck could be safely moved from one to the other (not all animals can or should, so be careful and only do it with medical supervision). 2. You can do blood glucose curves at home When t Continue reading >>
Exercise And Canine Diabetes
We have been asked by some of our readers about the special considerations that apply when exercising a diabetic dog. The fact is, diabetes is a serious, but often manageable disease and it is not an excuse to let your dog become a couch potato. More than anything, canine diabetes is a disease that requires consistency in daily routines, including feeding and exercise. Today we will briefly describe the disease and then discuss exercise and diet considerations for diabetic dogs. What is Canine Diabetes? Canine diabetes is a complicated, multi-symptom disease that is caused by either a deficiency in the insulin hormone or an adequate physiological response to insulin. A dog who does not produce sufficient insulin or who cannot utilize insulin properly runs the risk of elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels, which is called hyperglycaemia, which can lead to a plethora of health problems. Types of Diabetes Diabetes is classified as either Type I, caused by an inability for the body to produce insulin, or Type II, impaired insulin production along with an inadequate response to the hormone. Dogs are at risk for Type I; Type II, which is common in cats, is rarely seen in dogs. Symptoms of Canine Diabetes Below is a list of common symptoms. Excessive thirst/increase in water consumption Weight loss Increased urination Change in appetite Lethargy Dehydration Urinary tract infections Greater risk of developing slow healing wounds and infection Treatment Overview Dogs diagnosed with diabetes can often live long and active lives with proper treatment. That said, treating canine diabetes is challenging, according to Dr. Katy Nelson, a veterinarian, and host and executive producer of “The Pet Show with Dr. Katy” on Washington DC’s ABC News Channel 8. “Unlike many diseases th Continue reading >>
Feeding Schedule For Diabetic Dogs
Go to site For Pet Owners Good glycemic control is dependent upon a controlled and consistent dietary intake. It is important to achieve and then maintain a normal body weight, because this is a strong indicator of good diabetic control. The dietary requirements of a diabetic dog are highly variable—diet must be individually tailored for each dog. Body weight is a major factor in diet selections. Obese dogs require reduced caloric intake, either through feeding a calorie-restricted diet or by feeding a reduced quantity of the normal diet. Increasing physical activity will also be beneficial in obese dogs. Conversely, underweight dogs may require calorie-rich diets such as pediatric or convalescent diets. Another important consideration is the presence of concurrent disease, for example, renal failure or pancreatitis. It may be that the dietary management for these associated problems is more critical than a specific "diabetic" diet. Dogs tend to gobble their food. Traditionally, the dog’s daily food intake should be divided into 2 meals. The first meal is given around the time of the morning insulin injection, and the second meal is given approximately 7.5 hours (6 to 10 hours) later, at the time of peak insulin activity. Fiber-rich diets have been shown to slow the postprandial glucose surge in dogs, which consequently improves glycemic control. Timing of meals Meals should be timed so that the absorption of glucose from the gastrointestinal tract coincides with the peak action of the administered insulin. This will minimize fluctuations in blood glucose concentrations and thus episodes of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. 1. Dogs administered insulin once daily The first meal (eg, 2/3 of the daily ration) is given prior to the morning insulin injection. This allows Continue reading >>
10 Good Things About Owning A Diabetic Cat
Many people hear the news their cat is a diabetic and they think it’s a death sentence. This is not true. Don’t panic. On the positive side: 1. It’s a treatable disease. A diagnosis of diabetes means your cat can get treatment. When an older cat is presented to me with the common symptoms of drinking lots of water, urinating tons and losing weight, a diagnosis of diabetes can actually be good news. It’s often better news than kidney or liver failure in many cases. If your cat seems very thirsty, this is not normal. Get the cat to the vet. Early intervention with diabetes, as with so many other diseases, gives your cat the best chance of a better life, and possible remission. 2. Sometimes diabetes is reversible; it goes away. With proper diet and the correct insulin therapy, a significant number of cats can go into remission, or have their diabetes reversed. We don’t completely understand this, but we are getting better treatment results with low-carb/high-protein diets and early insulin intervention. Diabetes is more common in male cats, and the statistics show that males have a slightly better chance of reversing their diabetes. 3. Better diets are helping diabetics live healthier lives. A poor diet may have brought on your cat’s diabetes in the first place. Now it’s time to get back on the right track. Most experts recommend a diet with about 7 percent carb content. Fancy Feast Chunky Chicken or Turkey is a good choice for a diabetic. Friskies and 9 Lives have some options too. Evo95 Duck or Venison is great protein, low in carbs. Some of these “regular” cat foods are probably better than the prescription diets, in my opinion. If your cat is addicted to dry foods, the Evo dry diets are probably the best. I still wish you could convert Mr. Mug to a we Continue reading >>
