Diabetic Dogs and Weight Loss: Why They Lose Weight and How to Correct This

Our bodies are fine-tuned machines and they have back up protocols in case there is a failure somewhere. Just like a hospital has back up generators in case of power loss, so does our body. Our dogs have the same back ups as well, so when there is something faulty, they have a reserve. The pancreas produces insulin. Insulin is what opens the body’s cells to accept glucose. Glucose is what feeds the cells via the liver. The liver converts glucagon into glucose to feed the body. This is what happens in a body that has no faulty parts.

Canine diabetes is considered Type 1 diabetes. This means that the pancreas has failed and no longer produces insulin due to beta cell destruction. Type 1 diabetics requires insulin injections for the body to function. Without insulin the cells are not fed glucose and must rely on a back up for energy, so the body uses stored body fat and muscle for energy. This is the reason that diabetic dogs lose weight and have a voracious appetite.

Diabetes can go undetected for quite some time; dogs cannot tell us they are feeling unwell and have a high tolerance for pain and uncontrolled blood glucose levels unlike humans. It is quite common for us to see weight loss, increased urination and increased water consumption before taking them to the vets’ office for a check up.

Once we are told our dogs have diabetes, we tend to become hyper aware of clinical signs, and one of the most common statements made in made to us in the Diabetic Dog Owners Facebook group is that their dog is starving all the time and losing weight, even though insulin therapy has been started. The body is being starved since there is not an adequate amount of insulin to match glucose.

The good news is that once insulin is adjusted to the proper amounts and they are closer to target range blood glucose levels of 100 – 250 mg/dL (5.5 – 13.8 mmol/L) our dogs ravenous appetite subsides, they eat normally and they gain weight.

How can we help them get to target range so that their bodies are once again working like the fine-tuned machine they should? Home testing blood glucose levels and running curves at home are the best way to obtain this target range. At home they are relaxed so blood glucose levels are not higher or lower due to stress. This is one of the reasons that vets support home testing blood glucose levels.

What can we do to help the feel fuller longer? Fiber helps them feel full for a longer period, you can add a bit of psyllium husk powder to their meals, no carb treats throughout the day like green beans are a great source of fiber and are very low calorie (0.31 calorie/gram). Celery is also a good crunchy carb free, low calorie treat as well.

Lucy was a food lover, and when she would not eat that prompted a vet visit ASAP where she was diagnosed with diabetes and severe pancreatitis. Once she healed from the pancreatitis she was starving all the time and even resorted to stealing food (something she never did pre diagnosis). She went from a healthy 22 lbs. down to 16.9 lbs. The insulin that she was on made her blood glucose levels erratic, once I switched her insulin type she leveled out and I was able to reach that blood glucose target range.

This all can take a bit of time to get down, but you will get to better levels, especially if you monitor blood glucose levels at home. Don’t know how to test blood glucose? Please read this past blog on how to test blood glucose levels. https://shoppettest.com/blog/the-importance-of-home-testing/

If you are looking for a Facebook community to join for support, I have been an admin in Diabetic Dog Owners for four years. You can also join Canine Diabetes Support and Information on Facebook as well.

For more conversations, photos, and giveaways check out PetTest on Facebook and Instagram.

Links to products for testing blood glucose levels:

PetTest 21 Gauge Twist Top Lancets: https://shoppettest.com/pettest-twist-top-lancets/

PetTest 21 Gauge Safety Lancets: https://shoppettest.com/pettest-safety-lancets/

Red-Dot Lancing Device: https://shoppettest.com/red-dot-lancing-device/

PetTest Genteel Painless Lancing Device: https://shoppettest.com/genteel-lancing-device/

PetTest Painless Glucose Monitoring System (PetTest Meter Kit and PetTest Genteel): https://shoppettest.com/pettest-meter-kit-with-genteel/