Observe Daily Behavior

• 1). Observe daily behavior from the time your pooch becomes a member of your family. Note habits such as amount of food and water consumed, frequency of urination and typical levels of physical activity. Habits vary with each animal. Knowing what is normal for yours aids diagnosis.
  
  
• 2). Know and look for the most common symptoms. These include: excessive consumption of water, excessive urination, unexplained weight loss or weight gain and lethargy. Don't overlook less common indicators. These are: confusion, poor skin and hair coat, shaking and/or weakness in the rear legs, loss of appetite, vomiting, frequent bladder infections, sweet-smelling breath and sudden formation of cataracts.
  
  
• 3). If you note two or more symptoms, take your dog to the veterinarian. Make sure the veterinarian gives the dog a thorough examination. Medical indicators include an enlarged liver and neurological problems.
  
  
• 4). Laboratory tests are needed to confirm canine diabetes. Glucose and ketone levels should be checked in blood. Urine should also be checked for excess glucose. Generally, acceptable blood glucose levels range from 80 mg/dl to 120 mg/dl. Diagnosis should not be made on the basis of a single blood test. Stress can induce isolated high glucose levels.