Causes of Diabetes In Dogs

Dog owners are always after the welfare of their pets. We want to keep them healthy and happy. Canine diabetes has always been a concern among people who own dogs because it seems that a lot of dogs develop this medical condition. To prevent the onset of canine diabetes, it is necessary to know what causes this condition. Read on to find out the several factors that triggers it.

The basic thing you need to remember is that this condition is common among middle-aged dogs, which is when they reach 6 to 9 years old. It is a result of damaged pancreas, similar to how people get afflicted with diabetes. Once this happens, the body will no longer function properly because insulin production is reduced, and as a result, digestion will be badly affected.

Dogs suffer from diabetes because of the following reasons:

1. Heredity

If the dog’s lineage has a history of diabetes, then the chances of him getting it is pretty high. If you want to avoid this problem, it is always best you check the dog’s medical history before breeding. This goes the same when you are in the process of choosing a dog as a pet.

2. Infections

Viruses and infectious diseases can be a cause for diabetes. Conditions that affect the pancreas can be responsible for the development of canine diabetes. Even if your dog has been afflicted with it sometime ago, the problem may not occur until later on. The best way to address this is to make sure your dog is regularly checked by the veterinarian, and this is especially important if he is sick.

3. Drugs

There are some drugs or medications that bring about an adverse reaction from the pancreas. If it damages this organ, insulin production will be affected and more likely, your dog will develop diabetes. It is therefore important that you check with the veterinarian for the side effects of drugs before administering it to your dog. It could save him from having to suffer from diabetes, and ultimately, save his life.

4. Obesity

Just like us, being overweight can cause diabetes. While it is not a solid cause, it can contribute to the likelihood of its occurrence.

While we may not be able to prevent our dogs from getting diabetes 100% because it could be a hereditary problem, we can lessen the risk if we are aware of the factors that trigger it. Awareness is essential, and it could save you and your dog from having to deal with it as he grows older.