canine diabetes

[salukigirl]

we have noticed that our 7 yr old jrt has been drinking a lot more and urinating a lot more. we have changed her food from purina to innova and didnt know if maybe the meatier food would make her more thirsty. she hasnt lost any weight and doesnt otherwise seem weird. (no more weird than normal). has anyone else had their dogs become thirstier when switching to natural foods like that?

[tiffers]

What's the moisture content like on both foods? And when was the last time she had any bloodwork done to evaluate her kidney/liver enzymes? Or even a UA?

[salukigirl]

we havent even had her a year so her last bloodwork would have been at the adoption place (animal friends in trenton, oh). she had a clean bill of health. they dont seem any different to me but then again im not the one eating them. it will be a year in november which is also when she needs to have her rabies, license etc... so here in a couple months we will do it anyways. the only health problem shes ever had was kennel cough. she has always been healthy every time weve taken her to the vet (usually to get her anal sacs expressed).

it seems backwards to me though. wouldnt more corn meal and that kinda filler make it less watery? i would think the more real meat thats in it the more water content it would have. we give her a can of soft food every now and then but not enough to make a difference in her water content. its once every couple months. (her old owners only gave her table scraps so her teeth are nasty so we cant give her that much soft food).

[dazsgeo]

Unless it is canned food, the amount of meat doesn't make much difference. Dry food doesn't have a very high moisture content, no matter the ingredients.

You posted a few weeks ago that she wasn't acting right. Did you have her checked or did that stop?

[tiffers]

she had a clean bill of health.
A clean bill of health generally doesn't include the internal organs. If the adoption place didn't have a reason, be it an illness, I doubt they would have done bloodwork.

I'd take her in and have a UA and Bloodwork done to be safe. Catching simple things sooner, saves you from serious things later.

[salukigirl]

i just looked at her vet bills and her last u/a was done on 12-11 and rabies on 12-8. her u/a was fine. so here in late nov or early dec when we take her for her rabies shot well have her bloodwork done also.

a few weeks ago she was acting depressed because the cats wouldnt play with her anymore. we took her to this field behind our apt and chased her around for a while and my boyfriend was just chasing her around the house and shes active again. she was just sad for a while because the cats were new and they were obsessed with each other. we got her some new bones and a new squirrel to play with so shes better about the not being active. she will still just run around in circles outside. we run at her full speed once and she just runs and runs like a brown bear is chasing her.

[tiffers]

i just looked at her vet bills and her last u/a was done on 12-11 and rabies on 12-8. her u/a was fine. so here in late nov or early dec when we take her for her rabies shot well have her bloodwork done also.


Not trying to argue with you...or be rude or anything. A lot can happen in a year's time. Just because her UA was fine last year...doesn't mean it's fine now. And waiting a month or two for bloodwork may be waiting too long if it's something serious.

It is your pet, and your decision...but, it's my opinion...and I wouldn't advise you wait.

[salukigirl]

i wasnt trying to argue either. just saying that i looked up her vet records to make sure she had them. cause youre right, shelters arent going to put out any un-necessary tests etc for a dog that seems healthy. i just weighed her and she is the same weight as she was in june. so im going to periodically weigh her and if i notice any other changes i will take her in early.

[mynameislola]

Your dog could be diabetic, or have some other health problem and have no weight change. I'd have the bloodwork done now.

Diabetes is difficult to manage in animals as it is not easy to get blood from them to check their blood sugar. Giving daily insulin shots is not fun for you or the dog, plus it can get expensive. Taking care of the problem now could save you a lot of time and expense later.

You mentioned having a boyfriend. If he is a live-in, and you believe you both own the dog, you may want to prepare yourself legally for a fight over the pets just in case you two break up.

Many years ago I lived in Carbondale. Lucky you to be there. Go Salukis, rah!