Water Diabetes in Dogs

Getting up to let the dog out into the backyard can be irritating. If a young dog or puppy frequently needs to go outside to urinate and begins to drink more water than is usual, then it could be more than irritating. It could be a symptom of water diabetes.

  1. Water Diabetes

    • Water diabetes, or diabetes insipidus, is not related to the more commonly known diabetes mellitus. Water diabetes has nothing to do with problems with a dog's blood sugar levels or insulin. Instead, it is caused by problems with a hormone called vasopressin that acts as an anti-diuretic. In dogs with water diabetes, either the pituitary gland does not produce enough vasopressin or the kidneys do not respond to the hormone, according to "The Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health."

    Symptoms

    • The most noticeable symptom of water diabetes in dogs is increased urination. A dog with water diabetes will drink much more water than is normal and will in turn need to urinate more often and in greater quantities. A dog with water diabetes is often moderately dehydrated. As the disease progresses, some dogs become anorexic and lose weight, according to the "Textbook of Small Animal Medicine."

    Diagnosis

    • A veterinarian can perform a water deprivation test on a dog to determine if it is able to concentrate its urine. A dog with a problem with the pituitary gland will be able to concentrate its urine when given ADH. A dog with water diabetes caused by an issue with its kidneys will not be able to do so. Because this test can cause dehydration, it is important that a veterinarian monitor the dog through all stages of it.

    Treatment

    • Water diabetes requires lifelong treatment for the affected dog. Pituitary gland-related diabetes insipidus can be treated by giving a dog another form of vasopressin. This hormone replacement can be administered daily through injections or through eye drops. Medications called thiazide diuretics can manage water diabetes that is caused by problems with a dog's kidneys. The dosage of these medications must be tailored to an individual dog's needs.

    Considerations

    • While treatment for water diabetes in dogs can be expensive, dogs that receive it are expected to have a long life. Although the increased urination and potential for incontinence can be inconvenient, it is important to never restrict a dog from a source of water. A dog with water diabetes can quickly become dehydrated, leading to other health issues, according to the "UC Davis Book of Dogs."