Diabetes in dogs: symptoms, diagnosis, and management of the disease
Diabetes in dogs: symptoms, diagnosis, and management of the disease
Written by Silvia Capelli
September 7, 2023
Diabetes in dogs is a disorder that affects many older animals, but it can also occur in younger animals.
What causes diabetes in dogs?
Diabetes in dogs is an endocrine disease, caused by the pancreas's inability to produce enough insulin, or not producing it at all. When insulin is deficient or entirely absent, the dog develops diabetes.
Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. Its primary function is to regulate sugar metabolism, increasing the absorption of glucose from the blood cells.
The body can subsequently use glucose as an energy source or for the storage in the liver and muscles.
Insulin is essential to keep the blood sugar level within normal limits.
What are the types of diabetes in dogs?
There are two common types of diabetes in dogs, plus two that occur rarely:
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
This is an autoimmune disease where the dog's immune system attacks the beta cells of the pancreas, damaging them and preventing insulin production.
This type of diabetes can affect dogs of any age, but is more common in younger dogs.
Type 1 diabetes makes the dog dependent on insulin injections and is not reversible.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
In this case, the dog's body produces insulin, but the cells do not respond correctly to the hormone and do not absorb enough glucose from the blood.
Type 2 diabetes is more common in obese or overweight dogs, or in older dogs.
Type 2 diabetes does not always require insulin dependency, but generally is not reversible and over time may require pharmacological therapy.
Gestational Diabetes
This diabetes occurs when the dog is pregnant. It's quite rare, but very dangerous and can be fatal.
Generally, it disappears after childbirth, but might recur with the next pregnancy, so it's advisable to sterilize the female dog as soon as the veterinarian allows.
Gestational diabetes is reversible, and insulin administration may not be necessary.
Drug-induced Diabetes
If diabetes in a dog is caused by the administration of drugs (such as cortisone, adrenaline, or glucagon) and the event is transient, the disease might disappear when the drug intake is stopped.
In this case too, insulin administration might not be necessary.
What are the causes of diabetes in dogs?
The exact causes are uncertain, but there are several factors that facilitate its onset, or trigger effects.
Type 1 Diabetes
In the case of type 1 diabetes, genetics play a major role in the development of the disease.
Some breeds are more predisposed, for example, the Poodle, Beagle, Cairn Terrier, and German Shepherd.
There are also some genetic variants identified on chromosome 12 of dogs that seem to increase the risk of developing the disease.
Alternatively, the disease can occur due to increased levels of certain hormones, such as growth hormone, progesterone, or cortisol, the latter for instance in the case the dog suffers from the dreaded Cushing's Disease.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is often caused by obesity and lack of physical exercise. When a dog eats, the pancreas produces insulin to help the body's cells use glucose as an energy source.
However, if the dog is overweight or obese, the cells can become less sensitive to insulin and not effectively absorb sugar, causing an increase in the blood.
Aging can also increase the risk of developing the disease, as the body's cells can become less sensitive to insulin with age.
The disease can also present itself in conjunction with pancreatic diseases (such as chronic pancreatitis) and endocrine disorders.
In other cases, prolonged intake of certain medications can be responsible for the onset of diabetes in dogs.
But in the case of type 2, obesity is the most significant risk factor for the development of the disease.
Diabetes in dogs: symptoms
The most recurrent symptoms are as follows:
Increased urine production
Abnormal thirst
Increased appetite
Weight loss
In the case of late diagnosis, the following symptoms might appear:
Once the symptoms are identified, the veterinarian will diagnose the disease, following a urine test to assess potential glucose loss, and a blood test to evaluate the level of sugar present.
Managing diabetic dogs: how to intervene
The only available treatment for managing diabetic dogs is the administration of insulin in the form of injections, generally once or twice a day, around meal times.
The administration of insulin is to normalize blood glucose levels and allow the dog's body to function normally.
In addition, a proper diet for diabetic dogs should be combined, which involves reducing sugars and increasing proteins, along with regular physical activity.
In the case of dogs not dependent on pharmacological therapy, it is crucial that the animal follows a diet for diabetic dogs and exercises a lot.
How to administer insulin to a diabetic dog
The veterinarian will assess whether the injection should be administered once or twice a day.
As a general rule, the injection should be given before or after meals, which should be a maximum of two per day, preferably without snacks during the fasting phase.
Insulin should always be administered at the same times, and in the case of a single injection, it should coincide with the larger meal (for example, you can administer a substantial breakfast plus the injection and a light dinner, or the reverse).
Never administer insulin far from meals, as the excess hormone in the body could cause hypoglycemia (see the following paragraph).
What are the consequences of diabetes in dogs if left untreated?
Unfortunately, failing to treat the condition can have very serious consequences, such as:
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Blindness
Urinary tract infections
Skin diseases
Development of neuropathies
Accumulation of acids in the body (ketoacidosis), which occurs when the body starts to consume fats in the absence of sugars, requiring the dog to be hospitalized.
Hypoglycemia
Development of further debilitating diseases
Heart failure
Death
What is hypoglycemia and how does it occur?
Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar levels are too low. It is generally caused by an excess of insulin in the blood.
The most obvious symptoms are
Lethargy or state of agitation
Chills
Tremor
Hypoglycemia can lead to coma or death of the animal. If the situation arises, it is necessary to intervene by forcing the dog to eat, or to drink water and sugar (you can use a syringe without a needle) and then take it to the veterinarian.
How to prevent diabetes in dogs?
If diabetes in dogs is not genetic or caused by medications, the only way to prevent it is to administer a healthy diet and keep the dog exercising.
How long does a diabetic dog live?
If the disease is diagnosed quickly, a diabetic dog can have a completely normal life expectancy.
This is provided that regular insulin injections are administered, the necessary diet to control the disease is followed, and the right level of physical exercise is guaranteed.
If you want to know more about the world of dogs, read our Blog Posts about their health, you will find lots of useful information that can help you in case of need.
Disclaimer
The information on our site is of a general nature and does not replace the advice of a veterinarian or industry experts in any way. For any doubts, always turn to your trusted veterinarian.
