AlphaTrak Blood Glucose Monitoring System Meter

• AlphaTRAK monitor is the first complete hand-held blood glucose monitoring system designed specifically for diabetic cats and dogs.
• Reliable sample detection technology ensures clinical precision. Meter will not start until it detects enough blood
• No false results Add more blood for up to 60 seconds
• Meter beeps when sample is adequate, and begins test

Procedure:

• INSERT a new test strip into the meter.
• Press the “m” button to turn the meter on.
• OBTAIN a blood sample from the animal with the AlphaTRAK Lancet.
• Gently TOUCH one edge of the test strip to the blood sample, until the meter gives one beep. This tells you that the test strip is full.
• READ the test result after approximately 15 seconds.

Contents:  AlphaTrak Meter, User’s Guide, Carrying Case.

Simple test strip procedure Fast, accurate and precise Results in approx. 15 seconds

Memory capacity of 250 test results with date and time.  Automatic display of the average test result from the last 14 days.

Federal law restricts this device to the use by or on the order of a licensed veterianarian.

List Price: $ 165.99

Price:

Bilberry may help to reverse cataracts in diabetic dogs.

Did you know that most diabetic canines will develop cataracts within a year?  Sadly, this common side effect of canine diabetes results in many blind dogs.

However, some herbalists believe this can be avoided.  Natural remedies for dogs, including herbs and vitamin supplements, may help.

Why Are Dogs With Diabetes Prone To Cataracts?

Normally the lens of the eye is transparent.  However, if the lens becomes cloudy and opaque, it blocks vision, eventually leading to blindness.

What would cause the lens to become cloudy?  Dogs with diabetes have high sugar levels in their blood.  The sugar levels in the eyeball rise, as well.  Since the lens of the eye gets all its nutrition from the fluid in the eyeball, sugar levels in the lens rise, too.

In an effort to dilute the sugar, the lens absorbs more water from the eyeball fluid.  The extra water causes the lens to become cloudy, and the dog can no longer see.

This process can happen over a period of several weeks.  Often the owner isn’t even aware of what’s going on until the dog is already blind.  Cataracts in dogs leading to blindness is often the first symptom of canine diabetes that a pet owner will notice.

Is There An Herb That Can Help With Eyesight?

Many herbalists recommend bilberry to prevent or even reverse cataracts.  This little berry is closely related to the common blueberry that just about everyone loves.  People have been using bilberries to help with eye problems for centuries.  RAF pilots even ate bilberry jam during World War II to sharpen their vision.

Research has shown that people who eat bilberries regularly will often have fewer eye problems, including a lower incidence of cataracts.  Bilberry is safe and effective for dogs, too.

What About Antioxidants?

Antioxidants include vitamin E and vitamin C.  These antioxidants may stop the damage that free radicals can cause.  Italian researchers found that the combination of bilberry and vitamin E stopped cataract formation in 97 percent of the people it was given to.

This treatment could benefit your dog, too.  The dosage for dogs  is 50 IU of vitamin E per 10 pounds of weight once a day.

Vitamin C may help, too.  Try 100 mgs per 10 pounds of weight twice a day.  High doses of vitamin C can cause diarrhea, so you may need to give your pet a little less if this becomes a problem.

Where Can You Find Bilberries For Dogs?

GlucoEnsure is an herbal remedy that can help to balance blood sugar levels in dogs with diabetes.  This remedy also contains fenugreek, astragalus, and goat’s rue, as well as chromium.  This remedy is safe, effective, and easy to use.  Many pet owners report that this remedy has helped to lower blood sugar levels in diabetic dogs.

Want to learn more?  Click on any link in this article.

Related articles

• Seven Symptoms Of Diabetes In Dogs (naturalpetdiabetescontrol.com)

Changing your kitty's diet may be all it take to put feline diabetes into remission.

Misinformation about diabetes in cats is all too common.  Here are five facts all cat owners should know.

1.  You Can Prevent Feline Diabetes

The evidence is in.  Diabetes in cats is a man-made condition that can be prevented by feeding your kitty either a grain-free cat food, or a high quality canned cat food.

You may be wondering what’s wrong with the dry cat food you pick up at your local big box store.  The problem is that it’s made  mostly from grain.

Cats are not able to digest grains efficiently.  So they have to eat more of them in order to feel full.  Plus grains are full of carbohydrates.  Too many carbs will cause Kitty to gain weight.  And a fat cat is on the fast track to becoming a feline diabetic .

The best way to prevent feline diabetes is to feed your cat a meat-based diet, not a grain-based one.

2.  Diabetes In Cat Is Not A Death Sentence

Some people mistakenly think that a diabetic cat should be put to sleep.  This isn’t true.

Unless Kitty is very old, or has other health issues like kidney failure, most pet owners can manage a diabetic cat without too many problems.  But you do need to realize that there is a is a bit of a learning curve before you become proficient in checking blood sugar levels and giving insulin shots.

Which leads us to…

3.  You’ll Need To Learn How To Check Kitty’s Blood Sugar Levels

Your vet can show you how to check your pet’s blood glucose levels.  It’s important that you learn how to do this.  Otherwise you won’t know if he needs an insulin shot, or how much to give him.

You’ll need either urine test strips, or a glucometer like diabetic humans use.  You and your vet can decide which is better for your cat.

4.  News Flash – Your Diabetic Cat May Not Always Need Insulin

Sometimes changing a cat’s diet from dry grain-based food to canned cat food is all it takes to reverse diabetes in cats.  Losing those extra pounds can make a difference, too.

Move slowly though, when putting a feline diabetic on a diet, or changing his food.  He needs to eat regularly to avoid serious complications like hypoglycemia or fatty liver disease.  Always check with your vet before changing your cat’s diet.

Mild exercise is a natural way to lower blood sugar levels.  But remember, easy does it.  Start slowly to avoid blood sugar crashes, and gradually work up to a couple of ten-minute exercise sessions a day.

5.  Natural Remedies for Cats With Diabetes May Help

Certain herbs, including astragalus, fenugreek, and goat’s rue are very effective in controlling blood sugar levels in human diabetics, and they work just as well in feline diabetics.  Chromium is a trace mineral that also helps in controlling blood glucose.  It’s missing from many grain-based cat foods because it’s removed during the refining process.

A combination of dietary changes, daily exercise, and natural remedies for cats can make it easier to manage a diabetic kitty.  Learn more about products that can help by clicking on any link in this article.

Related articles

• Feline Diabetes Has Four Dangerous Complications (yourcatcareguide.com)

Ketoacidosis in dogs is a dangerous complication of canine diabetes.

Ketoacidosis in dogs is a life-threatening emergency that’s caused by untreated canine diabetes.  A dog with canine ketoacidosis needs immediate veterinary care to save his life.

Since this deadly condition is sometimes the first symptom of diabetes in dogs, every pet owner should know the signs of ketoacidosis.  Don’t let your dog become a victim.

What Causes Ketoacidosis In Dogs?

A diabetic dog is unable to use the glucose produced when food is digested by his body.  This glucose is used to fuel all bodily processes.

When glucose is unavailable, your dog’s body will start breaking down his stored fat reserves into fatty acids.  These fatty acids are then broken down by the liver into ketones, which his body can also use for fuel.

High blood glucose levels cause the liver to work overtime when producing ketones.  Too many ketones in your dog’s system results in diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA.  If not treated, DKA can kill your dog.

Symptoms Of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Dogs

The symptoms of DKA mimic the symptoms of dogs with diabetes:

• Drinking lots of water
• Weight loss, even though he’s hungry all the time
• Frequent urination
• Dehydration
• Suddenly going blind
• Losing interest in life; being weak and lethargic
• Vomiting

The one tell-tale symptom of ketoacidosis is the smell of nail polish remover on your dog’s breath.  This is caused by a high level of ketones in his system.

Don’t ignore this problem.  This is an emergency situation.  Get your dog to the vet as quickly as you can.

How Is Ketoacidosis In Dogs Treated?

It depends on how severe it is.  In mild cases, your vet may treat your pet with an IV to relieve the dehydration, and also start insulin therapy.

Unfortunately, most cases are pretty advance by the time the dog arrives at the vet’s office.  Complications of DKA include:

• Kidney failure
• Bacterial infections
• Anemia
• Inflammation of the pancreas
• Swelling in the brain

These problems require aggressive treatment if the dog is to survive.  But with the proper care, around two-thirds of affected dogs will be able to go home.

Of course, the owner must carefully monitor his pet’s blood sugar, either with urine test strips or a glucometer.  And the dog will most likely require life-long insulin injections as well.

How Can You Prevent Canine Ketoacidosis?

Know the symptoms of canine diabetes.  Every pet owner should know the symptoms listed above.

Obese dogs are very prone to becoming diabetic canines.  If your dog is overweight, the best way to prevent canine diabetes is for him to lose weight.  A grain-free dry dog food or high-quality canned dog food is best.

If your pet is already a diabetic dog, always check with your vet before changing his diet.  If you put him on a diet, keep in mind that he does need to eat regularly to prevent hypoglycemia.  Be sure the dog food you select is appealing to him.

Regular exercise is a natural way to control blood sugar levels.  However, you do need to be careful with a diabetic pet.  Too much vigorous exercise can lower his blood glucose to dangerous levels.  A daily ten-minute walk is preferred to an hour-long exercise session once a week.

Know the symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis in dogs to keep your dog from becoming a victim.

Related articles

• Seven Symptoms Of Diabetes In Dogs (naturalpetdiabetescontrol.com)
• What Is The Best Diabetic Dog Food? (naturalpetdiabetescontrol.com)

Hypoglycemia in cats is a dangerous complication of feline diabetes.

Anyone who lives with a diabetic cat should always be alert for signs of feline hypoglycemia.  And what is hypoglycemia?  Dangerously low blood sugar levels.

Although it seems like low blood sugar levels would be a good thing for cats with diabetes, too much of a good thing can be deadly for your cat.  If his blood glucose levels get too low, your kitty could go into a coma and die.  So you can understand how important this subject is.  Read on for information that could save your pet’s life.

What Causes Hypoglycemia In Cats?

Several factors can come into play:

• You gave your kitty an insulin injection before a meal.  Then he didn’t eat, or threw up.  Too much insulin and not enough food equals big problems very quickly.
• Sometimes the person giving the injection makes a mistake, and give Kitty too big a dose of insulin.
• Two people in the household gave him a dose, so your feline friend received twice as much as he needed.  Prevent this from happening by having only person be in charge of injecting insulin.
• Kitty got a lot more exercise than he usually does.  Exercise is a natural way to regulate blood sugar, so you need to be cautious about your pet’s activity levels.  Moderate exercise is good, but overdoing it isn’t.
• Your diabetic cat no longer needs insulin.  This can result from a spontaneous remission, or changes in Kitty’s diet.

Symptoms Of Feline Hypoglycemia That You Should Be Alert For

If your cat starts acting weird, it could be the first symptom of hypoglycemia.  Low blood sugar levels affect the brain first.

Any of these symptoms requires immediate veterinary care:

• Shaking or shivering
• Weakness and lethargy
• Becoming uncoordinated, and staggering around
• Acting like he can’t see
• Tilts his head
• Acts restless
• He’s either very hungry, or he may not be interested in eating
• Acts disoriented; he may walk in circles, yowl, or hide
• Has glassy eyes
• Drools
• Has a seizure
• Goes into a coma

How To Help A Diabetic Cat With Hypoglycemia

It’s recommended that you always keep some honey or corn syrup on hand if you live with a feline diabetic.  An empty syringe (without a needle) is handy, too.

If your kitty starts showing signs of hypoglycemia in cats, squirt a little corn syrup or honey into his mouth, using the syringe.  If you don’t have a syringe, rub some on his gums.  Be careful you don’t get bitten, particularly if he’s having seizures.

Wrap him in a blanket to keep him warm, and get him to the vet ASAP.

Natural Remedies For Cats Can Help Regulate Blood Sugar Levels

Quite a few cat owners are using GlucoEnsure, a natural remedy formulated especially for pets with diabetes.  This remedy contains the herbs fenugreek, goat’s rue, and astragalus, along with chromium.  Research has shown that these ingredients are safe for kitties, and very effective in keeping blood sugar levels where they should be.

Talk to your vet before making any changes in your cat’s treatment or diet.  Most vets are quite open to natural remedies today, and will want to learn more.  Click on any link in this article for more information.

Related articles

• Feline Diabetes – Four Life-Threatening Complications (naturalpetdiabetescontrol.com)
• Symptoms of Feline Hypoglycemia (brighthub.com)