Types Of Diabetes

Type 1
In type 1 diabetes the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin can no longer do so because the body's immune system has attacked and destroyed them. In short decreased insulin production. A healthy and active lifestyle unfortunately do not prevent this type of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin and often a change in diet and increased exercise. The blood glucose levels also need to be monitored.

Type 2
Type 2 diabetes is a result of the body's cells not responding to insulin. This is normally known as the adult type of diabetes. It can be brought on by obesity and an unhealthy diet and is usually treated without insulin. The symptoms are milder than type 1 diabetes. This diabetes is also very often inherited.

Type 3
This type also known as gestational diabetes is a combination of not enough insulin and decreased responsiveness. It is found in pregnant dogs and usually disappears or decreases after the pregnancy. It is believed that hormones interfere with the insulin. Dogs that have type 3 diabetes are at risk to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

Causes of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a result of low insulin levels. All the food dogs and humans eat is broken down into sugar in the blood stream and then feed to each cell. Insulin is used by body tissues to absorb the sugar in the blood and without the proper levels of insulin the sugar will stay in the blood. The sugar will then pass into the urine and cause increased urine production and thirst. Since the sugar is unusable the dog will be eating all the time and still loosing weight.

Some animals are prone to diabetes because of genetics or other health problems. Obese dogs and those with inflammation in the pancreas are more likely to develop diabetes. A diet high in carbohydrates will over time lead to health problems and/or diabetes. Female dogs and those between the ages of 5 and 7 are the most susceptible to diabetes. If diabetes is found in young dogs it is usually genetic.

Signs and Symptoms

A dog that is constantly thirsty, hungry, and urinates often is likely to have diabetes. Despite their constant hunger and thirst they loose weight and are dehydrated. If let go your pet's diabetic problem will eventually cause vomiting, depression, rapid breathing, and weakness.

Skin Allergies

Allergies can be a very painful and frustrating problem. Since they are chronic and hard to control, an early and correct diagnosis is important. Skin allergies are caused by a dog's hypersensitivity to dust mites, pollen, and mold. The first signs are excessive biting and scratching. Your pet may also have inflamed skin and suffer from hair loss. Unfortunately a reaction to dust mites and pollen is not the only thing that causes excessive itching. Side effects of other allergies such as food, flea, inhalant and contact are skin problems. Excessive scratching and biting is the symptom that most annoys dog owners and the results of it are the most visible signs of skin allergies. Before treating your pet for skin allergies, skin irritants, food and parasites, will have to be ruled out as causes of this disease. Dogs with skin allergies are at risk for skin infections.

All of the possible causes of skin allergies make it a very difficult problem to treat. There is no cure for skin allergies as of now. However vets are able to manage the problem and make the dog more comfortable through a variety of treatments. First they will try to rule out any other causes such as fleas and food allergies. Some shampoos and flea treatments cause skin reactions also. Proper grooming and shampooing, especially for long haired dogs, is important. It keeps the skin properly moisturized and healthy and helps manage bacterial infections that complicate skin allergies. Antihistamines are also used but are not very effective alone. Given along with other treatments they can be part of an effective solution. Supplements of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acid are helpful and have no known side effects. Switching to a trial diet to rule out food allergies and to provide the proper nutrients for a healthy coat may be something your vet suggests.

A controversial but effective method of treatment is steroids. Steroids have several negative side effects such as weight gain, cause thirst, make the bladder more prone to bacterial infections, and long term treatment may cause diabetes later. It also suppresses the immune system, which is good for allergies, but can also prevent the immune system from fighting off other infections.

Your vet will have the best advice and treatment program for your pet so following their advice is very important.

Inhalant Allergies

Inhalant allergies, also known as airborne allergies or atopy, often do not appear until after the dog is two years old. Any dog can have inhalant allergies, but some breeds are more susceptible to it than others, the Japanese chin is not prone to this allergy. Canine inhalant allergies are caused by the same thing human inhalant allergies are, tree, grass and weed pollens, dust mites, mold, and chemicals. The reaction however is different. Humans develop respiratory problems, while dogs will constantly lick, chew and bite. You will notice the armpits, feet and groin are the places your pet scratches the most. You may also notice hot spots from the excessive scratching which can lead to infections. Inhalant allergies are often the cause of chronic ear infections.

Inhalant allergies can be seasonal, a reaction to pollen is the likely cause. Or they may be year-round, mostly likely caused by dust mites and mold. Unfortunately most of the signs of inhalant allergies are also common signs of many other problems. For dogs with seasonal inhalant allergies the best treatment is possibly prevention. This involves keeping your pet indoors during periods of high pollen, rinsing them off after playing in fields, and keeping the grass cut short. For canines that are allergic to dust mites, mold, and various types of spores, it may be harder to keep them away from the agents that cause the reaction. Prevention is rarely a complete treatment of it's self, but is part of a successful treatment process.

Giving your pet a bath with a medicated shampoo or rinse gives immediate but short term relief. These and topical anti-itch products will give your pet relief from their itchy skin. Creams and other lotions also give relief, but if applied too thickly dogs tend to try to lick them off. Omega-3 fatty acids work against and reduce the effects of histamine and other agents that are released in response to allergens. Not all dogs respond to omega-3 fatty acids, but they have almost no side effects are also known to improve coat quality and shine. Some dogs show a little improvement and other show a great improvement. Usually the best results are seen after a few weeks or months of use. Omega-3 fatty acids are definitely worth a try, and if your veterinarian agrees you should use them to supplement your pet's diet.

Using antihistamines to treat allergies is a common practice in human and animal medical fields. Products such as Benadryl, Atarax, Tavist, and Chlor-Trimeton are the shelf names of some common antihistamines. Antihistamines are not effective in all animals, and have some unpleasant side effects. They should only be used if prescribed by your veterinarian.

The most commonly used treatment for inhalant allergies is immunotherapy, or hyposensitization. First the dog will under go intradermal skin testing. In this test the animal is sedated and the hair is totally shaved off an area of their body. Antigen is injected into their skin in small amounts to test the reaction to it. After your vet has identified which agents cause the allergic reaction, an injection is prepared containing the offending antigens. Over time the animal will no longer react to the allergens.

Food Allergies

Food allergies are found in every kind and breed of dog. Neutered and intact, young and old, male or female, any canine can have food allergies. Although the age food allergies most often show up is between 2 and 6 years old. The most common causes of food allergies are the most common ingredients in dog food. Beef, corn, soy, dairy products, chicken eggs, wheat, chicken, lamb, pork and preservatives. Dogs develop sensitivities to food over time so any food they are fed can cause allergies.

Itchy skin is the number one sign of food allergies. Other symptoms include hot spots, ear infections, and loss of appetite. Your vet may suggest an elimination diet when you first notice the itchy skin, or they may want to rule out other allergies and causes of itchy skin. A switch to a diet with completely new ingredients is the best way to pinpoint the problem. If the symptoms begin to clear up then each of the eliminated ingredients is added to the dog's diet. Added one at a time a week apart you should be able to pick out the ingredient that is causing the food allergy.

During the elimination period no snacks, treats or table scraps should be fed to your pet. And you do not need a special "non-allergic" food. Dogs can develop an allergic reaction to any food if it is fed to them long enough.