Diabetes is a disease that can have devastating consequences for both pets and their owners. If your French bulldog has been diagnosed with diabetes, your priority is to take care of his health. However, you also need to pay attention to the behavior and well-being of your dog. Diabetes can have similar symptoms in dogs as it does in people. In this blog post, I will discuss some of the symptoms that may indicate diabetes in French bulldog. I will also discuss some management options and lifestyle changes that can help and how you know that your French bulldog is suffering from diabetes.
What Is Diabetes in French bulldog ?
Diabetes is a metabolic disease affecting millions of people and pets around the world. There are two primary types of diabetes. These are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It is defined as an abnormally high level of blood glucose, also known as blood sugar because the body is not able to effectively utilize the glucose in the bloodstream.
Diabetes mellitus occurs when the body either produces insufficient insulin or is unable to utilize the insulin it produces. This happens when either there is little or no insulin being produced by the pancreas, or the body’s cells do not respond to the insulin being produced by the pancreas.
Types Of Diabetes
Type I
Type I diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), is an autosomal recessive disease. It occurs when the body’s immune system destroys the beta cells in the pancreas, which are responsible for insulin production. This means that the organ is no longer able to produce insulin.
Type II
This type of diabetes occurs in French dogs due to hormonal imbalance. It is very common in overweight Frenchies. It is also known as insulin resistance diabetes in dogs.
How Do I Know That My French bulldog Is Suffering From Diabetes?
French bulldog health is very important. So, you should know common symptoms of diabetes.
Symptoms of diabetes in French bulldogs are:
- Weakness, unexplained weight loss, and low energy
- Increased thirst and urination
- Dry, itchy skin, and sores on the pads of the feet
- Vomiting and diarrhea
Diabetes is an endocrine metabolic disorder. In this condition, the body produces abnormally large quantities of sugar. Insulin is a hormone that controls the use of sugar in our bodies. Insulin is secreted by our pancreas. When insulin becomes insufficient, it leads to diabetes. If you notice these signs, you cannot ignore diabetes. It can even cause fatal conditions.
What Type Of French Bulldogs Can Suffer From Diabetes?
Diabetes can affect Frenchies at any age but it is most common after the age of 4 years. The incidence of diabetes is far more in female French bulldogs than in males almost two times more. Similarly, Frenchies that are overweight are at more risk of diabetes than other dogs. Pups suffering from hyperthyroidism, overactive adrenal glands, urinary tract infections, and steroids are at high risk of diabetes.
Diagnosing
Diabetes is diagnosed based on signs and symptoms. Your vet also performs some urine and blood tests and checks the abnormality in blood glucose level. To keep in check your dog’s blood glucose level you should have to perform these tests again and again.
Treatment
To successfully treat your Frenchie your vet will prescribe a dose of insulin. The insulin dose is easy to administer to the skin and you can easily learn it from your vet. Giving insulin injections to your pet is not easy as this process is painful because of the small needle. Other than that your pet will also shift your pup to another diet mostly a barf diet, it is the best option because it contains fewer carbohydrates.
How to Prevent Diabetes In French Bulldogs?
To keep your pet healthy, you should speak with a veterinary medical specialist and determine the best treatment for your diabetic pet. Ask about a hypoglycaemic (lowering sugar in the blood) diet. It is also important to monitor your pet’s blood sugar levels. However, there is a certain preventive measures that can help your pup.
No More Commercial Treats
The treats we often bought from markets are high in sugar and one of the main causes of diabetes in Frenchies. These treats are also full of artificial colors, flavors, and additives. Instead of rewarding your pup with these treats go for veggies and other organic treats.
Don’t feed Fruits
Frenchies love to eat most of the things that their parents like to eat just like Fruits. Although fruits are full of vitamins and antioxidants you shouldn’t feed them in high amounts as they contain sugar in high amounts.
Remove Carbohydrates from Diet
Carbohydrates are a great source of energy and are most present in your Frenchie diet. If your pup is suffering from diabetes it’s best to consult your vet about a diet that contains carbohydrates in a minimum amount.
Exercise
Exercise is important to keep your pup healthy but in the case of diabetes, you have to be more concerned about it. When going out taking your Frenchie for a walk is a wonderful idea. Your pup may not like it but it’s good for their health as it keeps their blood glucose level minimal. When going out always wear your pup a harness. A blue harmony harness can protect your Frenchie in case of aggressive pulling on the leash.
Move Your Pup to Raw Diet
Immediately move your pup to a barf diet as it provides all the necessary nutrients and contains carbohydrates in a minimum amount. Furthermore, the barf diet has no artificial flavors and additives and you can easily make changes in your pup’s diet.
Conclusion
Diabetes is a harmful disease in French bulldogs and can make their lives awful. If you have a Frenchies it is important to keep his health in check. You should take him on long walks don’t feed him commercial treats and keep his blood sugar in check.
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