Sussex dog's life saved after diabetes diagnosis - watch out for these 5 signs of the disease
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The vet charity for pets in need is offering guidance after saving seven-year-old Dachshund Roma.
Owner Sonny White, 66, from Brighton, first noticed something was wrong with his beloved dog, who he describes as his best friend, when she started losing weight.
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Hide AdHe said: “I have two pet dogs, Roma and Gypsy. My wife and I weigh them regularly just to make sure they’re in good health.
"Over a period of about a month, however, I noticed that Roma was losing weight quickly.
"She also started drinking lots of water – no matter how much she drank, it just didn’t seem to satisfy her thirst.”
Sonny booked an appointment at his local PDSA Pet Hospital where, following a urine and blood test, the team diagnosed Roma with diabetes.
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Hide AdVet Tamara Drewett said: “Diabetes is a condition that develops when a dog can’t produce enough insulin to control their blood sugar level, causing it to become dangerously high. It’s usually caused when the body attacks and destroys its own insulin-producing cells (mistaking them for something else).
"Diabetes is an extremely serious condition that, without treatment, can be fatal.”
For Sonny, Roma’s diagnosis came as a complete shock. He was also concerned about the cost of the regular checks and medication she would need, as he is unable to work following a stroke.
He said: “I hadn’t heard of PDSA before, but if it wasn’t for their help I probably would’ve had to have Roma put to sleep. I wouldn’t be able to afford her monthly prescription of insulin. I donate what I can though.”
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Hide AdRoma now requires two insulin injections daily, which Sonny was trained by the charity’s vets to give her, and gets regular check-ups at PDSA to manage her diabetes.
With the right care, pets with diabetes can continue to have a high quality of life. Signs to look out for include:
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger
- Urinating more
- Weight loss
- Low energy
PDSA advises owners to contact their vet as soon as possible if they spot any of these signs, the quicker a pet gets the right care the better.