Definitions Related to Diabetes 

Hyperglycemia: a high blood sugar (glucose)

Hypoglycemia: a low blood sugar (glucose)

Insulin: a naturally occurring hormone in the body that keeps the blood sugar normal

Diabetes: too little or ineffective insulin in the body resulting in hyperglycemia

Carbohydrate: the amount of sugar and/or starch in food

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Early Signs of Diabetes

Frequent urination

Increased thirst

Increased hunger

Weight loss

Decreased energy levels/being sleepy

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Diagnosis of Diabetes 

Who makes the diagnosis? A veterinarian will collect your dog’s blood or urine to see how much sugar is in the sample

Diagnosis by blood: hyperglycemia or high blood sugar levels in the blood

Diagnosis by urine: high sugar levels spilling into the urine when the kidney filters it out of the blood

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What Causes Diabetes?

The body loses the ability to make enough insulin from the pancreas

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The body makes insulin from the pancreas but the insulin made is not working anymore

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Treatment 

Insulin: When the body is not making enough insulin or the insulin being made doesn’t              work correctly, more insulin needs to be given externally (i.e. insulin shot)

Food: Carbohydrates naturally occur in foods and are important for living a healthy life              Insulin: Given to match the number of carbohydrates in the prescribed dog food