Symptoms of Canine Diabetes in a Dog

Canine diabetes is a disease in dogs caused by a deficiency or resistance to insulin. According to Vet Info, diabetes occurs more often in overweight dogs. The most common type of this disease is diabetes mellitus, where a dog's pancreas cannot produce insulin and the body cannot absorb glucose properly. Early detection of canine diabetes by recognizing the symptoms can improve a dog's quality of life.

  1. Hunger

    • In the early stages of diabetes, a dog will gain weight because he is not metabolizing glucose properly. As a result, the dog's brain is not receiving the correct amount of glucose even though the dog is eating enough, according to Pet MD. Since the dog's brain thinks it is not receiving enough glucose, it will cause a dog to eat more.

    Lack of Energy

    • Dogs with diabetes are often lethargic because the insulin in the dog's muscles and organs is not triggering them to convert glucose into energy. The excess glucose is excreted in a dog's urine instead of being used as energy.

    Thirst and Dehydration

    • The increase in urination causes a dog with canine diabetes to be thirstier. When a dog cannot replace fluids faster than he loses them, he will become dehydrated. Dehydration can cause a dangerous imbalance of electrolytes and lead to vomiting and diarrhea. The increase of sugar in a dog's body also can lead to a bladder or kidney infection, according to Pet MD.

    Weight Loss and Anorexia

    • If a dog is not acquiring enough energy from the food he eats, his body will begin to burn stored body fat (ketones). According to the Dog Diabetes Site, a diabetic dog can eat normally or more than usual and still lose weight. As the dog loses more weight and appetite decreases, ketone levels in the bloodstream will elevate, which can lead to fatal ketoacidosis (metabolic acidosis) if left untreated. High ketone levels can cause a dog's breath to smell sweet.

    Cataracts

    • According to Web MD, dogs with advanced forms of diabetes can develop cataracts. Cataracts develop when the lens of the eye becomes clouded because the higher levels of sugar in the dog's body deplete fluid from the eyes. Crystallization of the lens of the eye occurs. When a dog has diabetes, cataracts seem to form quickly, according to Vet Info.