Dog Breeds Prone to Diabetes

There's been a lot of research into diabetes in dogs mainly because more of them seem to be suffering from the condition than ever before. The studies have established that some breeds are more susceptible to developing the condition although if a dog is obese no matter what breed they happen to be and whether they are male or female, they are at greater risk of developing diabetes, more especially later in their lives which is something most pet owners do not realise.

Breeds Most at Risk

As previously mentioned, studies have established certain breeds are more predisposed to suffering from the condition than others. The breeds known to be most at risk of developing diabetes at some point in their lives are as follows:

• Miniature Schnauzers
• Australian Terriers
• Standard Schnauzers
• Dachshunds
• Poodles
• Keeshonds
• Samoyeds

The breeds most at risk of suffering from juvenile diabetes are as follows:

• Golden Retrievers
• Keeshonds

The signs that a dog might be suffering from the condition can be quite obvious because their appetites can change quite dramatically. Dogs also tend to drink a lot more water when they suffer from diabetes and although they might be eating well, the majority of dogs start to lose weight as well as condition. As a result of drinking more water, they have a much greater need to go to the toilet more often than they used to do which becomes very noticeable. Other symptoms associated with diabetes in dogs include the following:

• Dogs have sweet smelling breath
• They are often dehydrated although they drink a lot of water
• They are lethargic and tend not to be interested in what’s going on around them
• Dogs often develop urinary infections and chronic skin infections when they suffer from diabetes
• They vomit regularly which can be quite worrying
• Cataracts form on their eyes which often leads to dogs becoming totally blind

Good Breeding is Essential

As previously mentioned, obese dogs are at much greater risk of developing diabetes later in their lives which is just one of the reasons why it's so important not to overfeed them and to make sure they get enough exercise. Treats should be kept to a minimum and a careful eye kept on a dog’s waistline. With this said, if a dog has inherited the condition, it could be down to bad breeding because any dog suffering from the hereditary form of diabetes should never be used for breeding purposes. It cannot be stressed enough how important responsible breeding is when it comes to hereditary and congenital health disorders which includes diabetes in dogs.

Early Diagnosis is Essential

The earlier diabetes is diagnosed, the better because it means a vet would be able to prescribe the right medication to manage a dog’s condition sooner rather than later. The vet would need to carry out a series of tests to establish the underlying cause of a dog’s condition and they would need to monitor a dog’s health on a regular basis to see if they are responding well to their medication. The good news is that most dogs once they have been diagnosed as suffering from diabetes go on to lead happy and full lives even if they have to be given their medication on an ongoing basis.