CBD for Diabetes in Dogs Explained

Finding out that your Dog is diabetic can be hard but there is hope. If diagnosed early enough and managed properly, Diabetes in dogs can be treated and your dog can be expected to live out a normal lifespan. Left untreated, however, diabetes can cause blindness, seizures and comas, and it can be fatal.

Cannabiol (CBD) has been found to be a very useful anti-inflammatory agent.. Chronic inflammation has been known for  years to be an important contributor to the development of insulin resistance otherwise known as type 2 diabetes.

The management of diabetes will take a lot of work and commitment from you as the owner. So, if your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, here’s some important information to know about diabetes in dogs and how to manage properly. See how we expose some important insight on the use of CBD for diabetes in dogs and how it can also help manage the condition.

What Is Canine Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that affects the way that body handles glucose. The pancreas, which is reasonable for producing digestive enzymes, also produces insulin, which is what helps transfer glucose from the blood into cells in the body to provide them with energy. When glucose is unable to be absorbed efficiently by the cells, it can build up in the blood and cause further complications.

There are two types of diabetes in dogs; type 1 and type 2, just as there are in humans. Type 2 diabetes is when the pancreas is still producing enough insulin, but the body has developed a resistance to it. Type 2 diabetes is usually caused a diet that is too high in carbohydrates, or by obesity.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. If the body does not get enough insulin, the cells don’t absorb enough glucose, which is what provides the cells with energy. It is type 1 diabetes that is the lifelong condition that will usually require treatment with insulin shots.

What Causes Canine Diabetes?

The exact causes of diabetes in dogs are not fully understood. However, contributing factors involved in the development of disease have been identified. Canine diabetes is more common in older dogs, and there are certain breeds that are more prone to diabetes than others. Breeds that are most at risk of developing the disease include and Siberian Huskies, Keeshonds, Cairn Terriers, Pulis, Miniature Pinschers, Samoyeds, Poodles, Australian Terriers, Schnauzers, Spitz, Fox Terriers and Bichon Frise.

Approximately 50% of cases of diabetes in dogs are thought to be linked to damage to the pancreas caused by autoimmune disorders, which are caused by environmental factors and the dog’s genetic predisposition to the disease. Dog’s that have experienced severe pancreatitis are also more at risk of developing diabetes.

Other potential causes of diabetes in dogs include obesity, exposure to toxins, Cushing’s disease, and there is some evidence to suggest that the overuse of certain drugs, such as steroids, and over-vaccination can also be a contributory factor.

How Do You Know If Your Dog Has Diabetes?

The early signs of diabetes in dogs are an increased thirst and increased urination. You may notice that your dog is drinking water much faster than usual and your dog may start to have accidents in the home, when before, your pet was very well behaved in this respect. The dog may also start to lose weight and, at the same time, develop an increased appetite.

In more advanced cases of diabetes in dogs, the symptoms can include a loss of appetite, a loss of energy, signs of depression, and vomiting.

The Cost of Insulin for Dogs with Diabetes

If your dog develops diabetes, you are probably going to need to give your pet daily insulin injections and monitor your dog’s glucose levels. Some pet owners are not too keen on giving their pets injections, but it Is not very difficult to do, and the needles are very thin, so the dog will barely feel it.

There is a range of different types of insulin that may be prescribed for a dog with diabetes. Your vet will select the type of insulin and the dosage and then monitor your dog and then modify the type of insulin or the dosage if needed.

The cost of insulin for dog’s ranges from around $30 to $120 a bottle. A standard sized bottle will usually last for approximately one month. You will also need to buy insulin testing strips, needles and syringes.

What Food or Diet Should You Give Your Dog with Diabetes?

Diet is not as important in the treatment in diabetes in dogs as it is with diabetes in humans. What is important is that the dog is fed regularly, and that the dog is not overweight.

Your veterinarian will advise you on the best diet for your diabetic dog. It doesn’t usually require a prescription diet, but it will include good quality food that contains a good balance of protein, fiber and complex carbohydrates.

With diabetes, each dog reacts differently to changes in diet, so the glucose levels will need to be monitored to decide what the best types of food will best for each individual dog. You will probably be advised to feed your dog two to three times a day and always feed your dog the same type of food at the same time each day. Just as it is with humans, if your dog’s glucose levels fall too low during the day, a snack may be needed to bring the levels back up to normal again.

The most important factors to bear in mind with a diet for a diabetic dog is that the diet is consistent, particularly in terms of carbohydrate content, and that the dog is eating enough food. A low-fat diet is also often recommended, because of the links between diabetes in dogs and pancreatic disease.

What Is the Life Expectancy of a Diabetic Dog?

If diabetes in dogs is treated and managed, a dog with diabetes can live a full lifespan. However, if diabetes is not treated early enough or ongoing treatments are not administered consistently, diabetes can cause life threatening complications.

Caring for a dog with diabetes is a big commitment. The dog must be fed regularly at the same time every day, the dog’s glucose levels will need to be closely monitored, and insulin shots will have to be given at the same time of day, every day. If the condition is not managed consistently, it can cause blindness, an enlarged liver, urinary tract infections, kidney failure, seizures and comas.

Can a Dog Be Cured of Diabetes?

Unfortunately, type 1 diabetes in dogs cannot currently be cured, although there has been some promising research into a gene therapy that potentially could put type 1 diabetes into remission. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, can sometimes be reversed through improvements to the dog’s diet, a good exercise regime, and weight loss. There has also been research conducted into the effect that cannabidiol (CBD) has on dogs with type 2 diabetes and there is evidence to suggest that the ant-inflammatory properties of CBD could help to reduce insulin resistance.

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Using CBD for Diabetes in Dogs

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound that is found in the cannabis plant, but CBD is not psychoactive, so it will not cause a high like marijuana does. CBD works with our pet’s Endocannabinoid System to deliver several therapeutic benefits to the body including reducing pain, nausea, anxiety, stress, seizures, allergies, skin disorders, the side effects of cancer and chemotherapy. CBD has also been found to act as a anti-inflammatory agent and this has led to research being conducted on the use of the compound to treat a range of other medical conditions, including diabetes.

In clinical trials carried out at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, it was found that CBD reduced inflammation, which plays a significant role in the development of insulin resistance. It was also found that CBD improved the metabolism, and so improved the absorption of sugar.

It is believed that using CBD for diabetes in dogs can help protect against some of the complications that comes with diabetes, such as atherosclerosis. CBD can also help prevent loss of sight that can be a result if diabetes in dogs. Some research has also suggested that using CBD for diabetes in dogs may be able to reduce insulin intolerance. There is also growing evidence that Regular use of CBD can lower insulin resistance in humans as well.

Although it would not be recommended to attempt to replace regular insulin injections, an appropriate diet and regular exercise along with the use CBD for diabetes in dogs can have a positive outcome. The evidence suggests that CBD could help manage canine diabetes more effectively.

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REFERENCES:

http://www.akc.org/content/health/articles/diabetes-in-dogs/
https://thebark.com/content/preventing-and-treating-canine-diabetes
https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/dog-diabetes-symptoms-treatment#1
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/diabetes-in-dogs/
https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/15_5/features/Canine-Diabetes-Diagnosis-and-Treatment_20521-1.html
http://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/3-things-your-vet-might-not-tell-you-about-treating-your-diabetic-dog
https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/diabetes-dog-diet#2
https://www.cuteness.com/article/life-expectancy-dog-diabetes
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2015/Apr/cbd-compound-in-cannabis-could-treat-diabetes,-researchers-suggest-95335970.html
https://cbdschool.com/how-to-use-cbd-for-diabetes-2018/

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