Canine diabetes generally affects dogs between the ages of 7 and 9 years, according to dog trainer and breeder Norma Bennett Woolf. Canine diabetes has three types: diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus and gestational diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is the most common form affecting dogs, according to the Diabetes Guide on DogDiabetesSite.com.
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Increased Urination and Thirst
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Diabetes causes a dog to produce too much glucose, states the Diabetes Guide on DogDiabetesSite.com. The dog cannot process this excess glucose, and tries to get it out by urinating frequently. The increase in urination means the dog has an increase in thirst caused by a lack of fluids in the body, according to the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center in Los Angeles. Although elderly dogs are more likely to become incontinent, it is important to check the dog's health at this stage in case it is diabetes, so the dog can start treatment.
Weight Loss
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Undiagnosed canine diabetes can cause weight loss because the dog's body is incapable of absorbing energy and nutrition from the food ingested, says Norma Bennett Woolf. The body starts getting its energy from breaking down fat and protein, causing the dog to shed pounds. Weight loss is possible even if the dog is eating more than usual. An elderly dog that suddenly loses any amount of weight should see a vet for a checkup.
Weight Gain
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Weight gain in an elderly dog is common as the dog's metabolism slows with age. Canine diabetes is also capable of causing an elderly dog to gain weight, says Vet Info. Because the dog's body produces too much sugar, its system is unable to burn all the sugar, causing weight gain.
Cataracts
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Extra blood sugar in the dog's eye often causes cataracts, says Mar Vista Animal Medical Center. The excess sugar pulls water into the lens of the dog's eye and prevents the dog from seeing clearly. Elderly dogs are more prone to cataracts than younger ones, and untreated cataracts cause blindness in dogs within weeks.
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