Dog Diabetes Mellitus

Just like people, diabetes has become more prevalent in our pets. Why? Most cats and dogs get diabetes because they are overweight - in some cases it is genetic. Because of convenience and strategic marketing from the pet food giants, we have been led to believe food coming from a bag is a complete diet for out pets. Recent studies have shown processed foods to be a factor in increasing the numbers of pets suffering from a multitude of diseases - including diabetes. Cat and dogs need food that has a higher content of meat and less carbs. As per Steve Brown (See Spot Live Longer) listed below are approximate levels for dogs; natural cat diets are higher in protein and lower in carbohydrate. << >>

Natural Diet of Dogs

55% protein (Dry Matter)
14% carbohydrate (DM)
Dry Dog Food
25% +/- protein (DM)
40 - 70% carbohydrate (DM)

It's simple! Balanced fresh food (meat, bone, and vegetables) diets are more nutritious than the modern (dry food) diet. Raw, fresh foods provide much more complete and balanced nutrition than that found in highly processed foods. Dogs and cats thrive on raw meat based diets.

Although both pets get diabetes because they are overweight, it is for different reasons.

Cats are prone to diabetes because they develop insulin resistance, (their bodies don't effectively use insulin). As a result, the pancreas pumps out more insulin as well as another hormone called amylin. When you get too much insulin secreted, you get too much amylin secreted as well, and that tends to aggregate and destroy the insulin-producing cells.

With dogs, obesity is associated with an inflammation of the pancreas - which can then lead to diabetes because the body doesn't make enough insulin. Diabetes results when the body doesn't produce enough insulin, a hormone that processes glucose (blood sugar), or properly use it. As a result, the body's tissues cannot use glucose for energy, and the sugar builds up in the blood and urine.

There are also drugs used over a long period of time that can cause diabetes, like Glucocorticoids (which are cortisone type drugs), and hormones used for heat control. These are commonly used drugs but only a small percentage of pets receiving these drugs develop diabetes after long term use.

Symptoms your pet may have if they have diabetes: drinking more and urinate very frequently, weight Loss (even though they may be eating more), and cataracts of the eyes.

Once your vet diagnoses your pet with diabetes you will more than likely need to start administering insulin to keep the disease under control. This is a time consuming process that requires a great deal of dedication on your part.

Dogs and cats diagnosed with "unsolvable" problems (arthritis, diabetes, a wide range of gastrointestinal problems, allergies) often recover completely when eating a properly prepared fresh food diet. There are conditions for which a cooked diet might be better, and animals with health problems should be closely supervised by a holistic veterinarian with extensive fresh food experience.

Whether we can totally solve health problems or not, by providing stressed bodies with the tools for healing, we can optimize the outcome.