Miss Bellina

 Bella Smiles for the camera

                                              Miss Bellina

     “Diabetes.” The mere mention of that word scares people. At best, diabetes often means the end of some of life’s greatest pleasures. At worst it can be a death sentence. It may come as a surprise that diabetes is a disease that many animals have as well. Up until recently, in most cases with dogs, it was a death sentence which brings me to Miss Bellina.

    Miss Bellina is an eight year old pure bred French toy poodle owned by Cherylann, owner of Bella Imagio Skin Care and Day Spa in Pioneer. Miss Bellina for most of her life has been in perfect health having high energy. All of a sudden, about a year ago, Cherylann began noticing significant changes in Miss Bellina’s health. She started to gain an abnormal amount of weight. For some dog owners weight gain is not unusual as dogs tend to manipulate their owners into giving them all the food they can.  Cherylann overlooked the weight gain but then Miss Bellina was diagnosed with a bladder infection.

   After the bladder infection there were other changes. She became real lethargic and her hair started thinning. At that point Cherlyann became concerned that there was more happening. The first thing that came to mind was that she had been given treats from China and was suffering from Fanconi syndrome (an illness caused by toxins).

     To narrow down what the cause could be, Miss Bellina’s diet was changed. She had been on a high Carb food so Cherylann switched her dog food to a higher protein diet.  Suddenly Miss B started to drink more water and became close to incontinent.

    Cherylann immediately rushed her to the doctor and had blood work done. The results came back and the Vet informed Cherylann that Miss Bellina was a diabetic. In the not too distant past that was a death sentence for a dog, but now Diabetes can be treated.

   Cherylann was sent home with medicine to help Miss Bellina.  Miss Bellina receives two shots each day of insulin. Miss Bellina does not mind the shots and Cherylann makes a point of not giving her the shots in the same place (generally between the shoulder blades) repeatedly. Because this treatment is fairly commonplace it is not expensive and the insulin can be purchased at any pharmacy. Each vial she buys lasts three months (in larger dogs the amount of insulin required may be more but it is still not costly.)

    The whole process is very simple. To keep Miss Bellina’s blood sugar low she first monitors it with urine test strips every three days. Like humans if the blood sugar is kept in line the rest of the dog’s health remains good.

    Today looking at Miss Bellina, it is impossible to see she has any health issues. Miss Bellina spends her time at Cherylann’s side.   When Cherylann is working at the Spa, Miss Bella greets the customers coming into the spa. The two are best friends who both intend to live a long life together.

   Cherylann would like to remind everyone who is a dog owner to watch for signs of Diabetes.  And, know, if their dog is diagnosed with Diabetes that, just as in humans, the Diabetes can be controlled through diet, exercise and insulin. As with everything else we do for our dogs, a little love and attention can also help.