5 Reasons You Should Get Your Dog Checked for Diabetes

Diabetes doesn’t just affect humans, it can also be an ailment that dogs deal with too. Surprisingly, diabetes in dogs is pretty common and according to Pet Diabetes Month, anywhere from 1 in 100 to 1 in 500 dogs has diabetes. In spite of this, not many dog owners think to have their dog checked for this disease and end up being shocked when this illness gets diagnosed in their pup.

Here are 5 reasons you should get your dog checked for diabetes.

1. It Can Increase Your Dog’s Lifespan.

By checking for diabetes in your pet, you can catch it early and save your pet’s life. If diabetes goes unchecked and your dog continues eating the same foods or continuing with the same glycemic index, your dog could become sick and possibly pass away . When a veterinarian finds diabetes in a dog, they will provide you with the correct food and information needed to keep your dog healthy. By knowing about your dog’s diagnosis before it becomes too severe, you can help your dog live a happy and healthy life with diabetes through a safe diet and careful monitoring. Whole-dog-journal.com relays that diabetes is manageable if treated in time.

2. Finding Diabetes Early Can Save You Money.

Like any medical condition, finding it before complications arise can save you tons of money in medical bills, prescription medications and foods, or any other veterinary bills that can pile up when a pet’s disease goes ignored. By spending the money once to find out if your dog is suffering from diabetes mellitus, you are saving yourself hundreds – or even thousands –if your dog’s diabetes goes unnoticed and needs surgery. Vetstreet.com remarks that if diabetes in dogs is left untreated, the dog could have numerous issues in the future that can be an extreme devastation on the owner’s wallet and emotions. The treatments for diabetes in pets are not too expensive, either. Insulin and the correct healthy weight diet for your pet can be some of the simplest solutions to treating diabetes if it is caught early on.

3. It Will Lessen The Chance Of Accidents In The House And Blindness.

Dogs tested positive for diabetes tend to have some extreme symptoms that can impact both the pet’s and the owner’s life. The most extreme symptoms in a pet with diabetes other than possible death are urinating all over the house uncontrollably as well as the pet losing its sight. AKC.org says that dogs with diabetes need to go outside frequently and, because their owners may not be home every moment this happens, there could be accidents in the house. The next most common symptom in dogs with diabetes is possible blindness. Cataracts and blindness affect over 75% of dogs suffering from diabetes, so the earlier you catch the diabetes the less likely your dog will be in the 75%

4. It Will Relieve The Stress Of Your Dog’s Health.

Checking for diabetes in your dog can also reduce your stress in the long run. It is better to know if your pet has diabetes – whether the answer is yes or no – because it will assure you about which direction to take. If your dog does not have diabetes, then it can continue with the same diet as usual and you can relax, and if your dog does have diabetes then at least you will know the truth and how to treat it.

5. It Will Make You More Knowledgeable About Helping Your Dog.

By getting your dog checked by a veterinarian for diabetes, they will inform you on all of the things you should be aware of when caring for your dog. For instance, a veterinarian will provide you with a list of safe foods for your dog to consume that will not worsen their case of diabetes and they will also provide insulin if needed. You will learn how to give insulin to your dog as well as learn what foods are good and which are bad for a diabetic dog. Dogtime.com states that if your dog is diagnosed with diabetes, you will learn how to monitor their blood glucose levels using supplies given to them by their personal vet.