1
We just found out that our 9-year-old yellow lab is diabetic. We feed her a diet made with beef and rice. Is there any hidden sugar? Also, what is a good treat?
2
What is a good commercial dog food for a senior diabetic?
3
My 2-yr. old Golden retriever is losing his hair on his undercoat and front of his legs. The vet suspects thyroid disease. We want a second opinion. What do you think?
1
We just found out that our 9-year-old yellow lab is diabetic. We feed her a diet made with beef and rice. Is there any hidden sugar? Also, what is a good treat?
When feeding animals with diabetes the concern is not necessarily with "sugar" but with the ability of the pet to digest and utilize the food provided. When an animal is diabetic, they are usually not producing enough insulin to correctly process glucose, the energy source for the body. Therefore they often need additional insulin in either an oral or injectable form. Diet is important in that they should be provided a diet that has sufficient calories to maintain the proper weight. The time of meals should be adjusted to coincide with the insulin therapy. I encourage you to contact your veterinarian to work out the appropriate diet and feeding schedule for your dog.
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2
What is a good commercial dog food for a senior diabetic?
First of all it is very important that a diabetic dog be under the care of a veterinarian. Most diabetic dogs will also need insulin to keep their blood glucose level regulated and maintain a good state of health. What is most important is that your dog will reliably eat the diet and that you keep a record of daily caloric intake.Your veterinarian can offer care and feeding guidance for your particular dog.
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3
My 2-yr. old Golden retriever is losing his hair on his undercoat and front of his legs. The vet suspects thyroid disease. We want a second opinion. What do you think?
The signs of thyroid dysfunction can be quite variable and include changes in the hair or coat, weight gain, decreased activity, change in water consumption, changes in behavior and more. The best way to determine if a dog has thyroid disease is to have your veterinarian perform a blood test. The goal would be to assay the level of thyroid hormone and thyroid stimulating hormone and determine if they are within the normal range, higher or lower.
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