Diffuse neuropathy is a condition caused by diabetes mellitus. The condition can lead to nerve damage, which worsens as the disease progresses. Neuropathy can affect the central nervous system, brain, spinal column and nerves of the head, or the peripheral nervous system, the nerves that control movement and sensations. There are two types of diffuse diabetic neuropathy: peripheral neuropathy mainly affects the legs while autonomic neuropathy involves the internal organs.
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Cause
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Diabetes mellitus is caused by inadequate production of insulin. Too little insulin allows glucose to accumulate in tissues and organs. Without a sufficient supply of insulin to make the energy-producing glucose available to tissues and organs, the body becomes starved for nourishment and begins to break down muscle (protein) and fat stores to provide the energy and nourishment it needs. Too much circulating glucose damages blood vessels and impairs oxygen transport to organs and tissues causing further breakdown.
Symptoms
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Peripheral neuropathy results in muscle weakness in the legs, loss of feeling, poor balance, lack of coordination, slow reflexes, sensitivity to touch, dehydration and sudden, stabbing pain. The dog may experience leg injuries or leg ulcers because he cannot feel pain.
Symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger and severe and continuing weight loss. An overweight dog with all symptoms except weight loss may have Type 2 diabetes.
Diagnosis
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The veterinarian will test the dog’s blood sugar level, determine if there is glucose in the dog’s urine and will probably run a test to screen for loss of feeling in the dog’s legs. The veterinarian will also check for a kidney infection or other possible cause of the diabetes. He may perform a nerve conduction study to test how well the nerves are functioning. The veterinarian could order a sonogram of the dog’s internal organs to distinguish between central and peripheral neuropathy.
Treatment
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A dog with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus IDDM will require insulin therapy. A dog with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) will not need insulin injections unless he progresses to IDDM but may require oral medications. The diabetic dog will need a tasty high fiber diet to slow absorption of glucose and encourage him to gain weight. An obese diabetic dog will need a high fiber, low fat diet containing complex carbohydrates. Diabetic dogs may need vitamin and mineral supplements.
Complications
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If the diabetes is not treated quickly, leg injuries and loss of feeling can lead to limb amputation. Once nerve damage has occurred, it cannot be repaired. The dog may also have pancreatitis, recurrent urinary tract infections and kidney, liver and thyroid problems. If the diabetes is untreated, the dog will die.
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