5 minute read
DIABETES IN DOGS
Diabetes in dogs BY: DR KATHRYN KNIPE FROM BIRNAM VETERINARY CLINIC
What is Diabetes?
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Diabetes, or more accurately, Diabetes mellitus, is a complex disease resulting in an insufficiency of insulin, the hormone which is responsible for helping the body utilize glucose as an energy source in the body.
Diabetes in dogs is only rarely diagnosed in young dogs. Most dogs develop insulin-dependent, or type 1 diabetes mellitus, at a later stage in life. In this article, we will focus on the classic type 1 diabetes that develops in older dogs.
How would diabetes develop in my dog?
The development of diabetes in dogs is usually a result of an inability of the pancreas, which is responsible for the production of hormones that regulate blood glucose, to produce adequate amounts of insulin. This can occur as a result of destruction of pancreatic cells due to chronic inflammation in the pancreas (known as chronic pancreatitis) or auto-immune destruction of the pancreatic cells (the body attacking its own cells). Insulin resistance is an additional complicating factor that can have many causes.
What factors put my dog at risk for developing diabetes?
Diabetes is typically diagnosed in older dogs, with females being twice as likely to be affected as males. There is a genetic predisposition suspected in poodles (miniature and standard), Schnauzers (miniature and standard), Bichon Frise and Samoyeds. Obesity is a high-risk factor. Chronic or recurrent pancreatitis can lead to destruction of the pancreatic cells responsible
for insulin secretion. Certain underlying diseases can lead to insulin resistance, most notably in dogs we find hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease) alongside diabetes. For older female dogs, not being sterilized is an additional risk factor. The use of certain drugs also predisposes the development of diabetes, most notably corticosteroids as well as drugs used to regulate the reproductive cycle of female dogs.
What signs will I see if my dog has diabetes?
The most noticeable signs are polyuria (urinating in large amounts), polydipsia (drinking large amounts of water), and polyphagia (wanting to eat large amounts of food, often begging and looking hungry). Dogs may be overweight or skinny or may have changed in weight significantly over a short period. Dogs will be prone to the development of cataracts which can lead to partial or complete blindness. Diabetic animals can develop a condition known as “diabetic ketoacidosis” which is very serious and potentially fatal if left untreated. Such an animal will be collapsed, and veterinary attention should be sought immediately.
Additionally, many other conditions are diagnosed concurrently with diabetes mellitus, notably pancreatitis, kidney disease, high blood pressure and high susceptibility to bacterial infections (bladder infections are common).
How would diabetes be diagnosed in my dog?
If you see any symptoms mentioned above, which may make you suspicious of diabetes in your dog, it is important to consult your vet for diagnostic testing. Your veterinarian will recommend various tests based on your pet’s presenting signs. Often a baseline panel of blood tests together with urine tests are performed. These will often be enough for your veterinarian to establish a diagnosis of diabetes. The most important test results confirming this will usually be the presence of glucose in the urine and very high blood glucose. This is because a lack of insulin will lead to the body being unable to remove glucose from the bloodstream and place it in the cells of the body. This leads to excess glucose circulating in the blood, which then spills over into the urine. Your vet may recommend additional tests to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes and/or identify other diseases that are commonly associated with diabetes.
How will the vet treat diabetes in my dog?
Diabetes in dogs is managed through twice-daily injections with insulin. Your veterinarian will guide you in exactly how the insulin is to be stored and administered. Routine is very important for a diabetic patient, therefore feeding times will be adjusted to twice daily, which will coincide with the time that the insulin is given. Patients who are overweight or obese should be managed on a weight loss program that is compatible with diabetic control. If your dog is not overweight, certain diets are recommended for dogs with diabetes that will help to maintain glucose control more effectively. Your veterinarian will instruct you as to which diet is recommended, as well as the amounts that should be fed. Instituting a daily exercise routine will also assist in the control of diabetes. It is also important to address any potential causes of insulin resistance, such as underlying hyperadrenocorticism, underlying bacterial infections, the use of chronic corticosteroids, sterilization of intact female dogs, as well as control of chronic pancreatitis, if present.
Successful management of diabetes is highly dependent on your input and compliance with the recommendations of your veterinarian. Initially, your dog will need to be admitted to the hospital for a day regularly, to do a glucose curve, where multiple blood glucose readings are taken throughout the day to gauge the effect of the current dose of insulin being administered. This will help your vet to adjust the dose until good control is observed. Adherence to the correct dosing regime for insulin, the correct diet for your dog as well as daily exercise will lead to the best control of your dog’s diabetes.
It is important to note that once diabetes has been diagnosed in your dog, it will need to be chronically managed as it is not a condition that can be reversed. Working narrowly alongside your vet with regular check-ups will help to give your dog the longest possible life expectancy with the least associated disease problems and clinical symptoms.
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