Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common diseases encountered by veterinarians.
It causes serious health problems, but with proper care your dog can live a normal, long life.
When your dog is diabetic, it may go into a sometimes-fatal condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
This is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention and treatment. Let’s take a closer look at this condition and how to help your dog through it.
What is Diabetic Coma?
A diabetic coma occurs when a diabetic dog’s mentation severely impaired as a result of high blood glucose levels.
Most diabetic patients will exhibit clinical indications that should necessitate a visit to the veterinarian for an examination and diagnostics.
Diabetes causes dogs to drink excessively, however this is owing to the fact that they lose a lot of water.
Glucose from the kidneys leaks into the urine bladder at excessive quantities. Because glucose attracts a lot of water, diabetic pets urinate more than usual.
Untreated diabetic dogs can get dehydrated if they show other signs of disease such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
This results in a hyperosmolar hyperglycemic condition, which indicates that the blood sugar concentration is exceedingly high.
This can change a dog’s state of consciousness when the brain is impacted.
Coma is exceedingly rare, however it can happen if the body doesn’t have enough insulin.
Your dog is diabetic? You’re not alone!
You might be a pet owner who buys dog clothes and dog accessories such as dog bandana, dog bow ties etc..
similarly having a good health to your pet is also an important part.
Here’s what you need to know about the illness and what you can do to support your dog.
The first thing to know is that there are two ways diabetes can manifest in dogs: type 1 and type 2.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when a dog’s cells are resistant to insulin. Both types of diabetes can lead to diabetic comas if left untreated or if the treatment regimen is not complete.
Symptoms of diabetic comas include lethargy, lack of appetite, dehydration, and weight loss. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, take them for a checkup with your vet immediately.
The sooner you catch a diabetic episode, the likelier it is that you will be able to reverse it before any long-term damage is done to your dog’s health, or even before they go into a coma.
Causes of Diabetic Comas in Dogs
Diabetic comas are commonly caused by low blood sugar, which can result from too much insulin or not enough food intake.
In some cases, the dog might be experiencing a type of shock as a result of an infection or trauma.
It’s also possible that your dog has ingested something toxic and is experiencing poisoning.
Symptoms of Diabetic Comas in Dogs
In most cases, there are some early warning signs that occur before the dog slips into a coma. These symptoms will vary depending on the cause of the coma, but they typically include:
Vomiting, Lack of coordination, Seizures,Restlessness or agitation,Weakness etc..
Treatment
If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus but is aware, active, and eating, insulin therapy and a special food diet will be started.
To help regulate blood sugar, some dogs can take medicines orally rather than injecting insulin.
If your dog develops diabetes and other issues such as depression or dehydration,
it will be admitted to the hospital and treated with water and insulin until its blood sugar levels stabilise.
It will also begin a particular diet to help control blood sugar levels.
Your dog may be in a life-threatening situation if it is diabetic and in a coma, has seizures, or has absolutely little energy (is very lethargic).
Your dog will be admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit for several days, where your veterinarian will administer intravenous (IV) fluids and electrolytes.
The blood sugar and electrolyte levels of your dog will be checked every few hours until they have stabilised.
In addition, your dog will begin getting insulin to lower his blood sugar level, and you may be given drugs to assist control vomiting or other symptoms your dog may experience.
While your dog is being stabilised in the hospital, your veterinarian will keep an eye out for and treat any other problems that may arise.
Heart failure, renal failure, intestinal bleeding, and infections are only a few of them.
Getting your dog to a point where he or she feels better takes time, as lowering blood sugar too quickly can harm your dog’s health.
Conclusion
Diabetic coma is a life-threatening health condition also known as diabetic ketoacidosis.
When an animal is not able to produce any insulin because of diabetes or has problems in producing the required level of insulin,
its blood glucose levels shoot up to extremely high levels.
This leads to a rapid accumulation of chemicals called ketones which, if the animal fails to get the required amount of insulin,
its body fails to use it for processing glucose, can lead to coma and even death.
This can easily done by wrapping him with a blanket and gently putting him on a vehicle and then bring him to your vet.
