Like humans, canines require the hormone insulin to regulate the absorption of sugar into their cells. And like humans, they can develop diabetes, a condition in which their bodies do not produce enough insulin. In humans, this is called Type I diabetes; in dogs, it is called diabetes mellitus.
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Life Expectancy
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Treating canine diabetes is difficult and time-consuming, requiring that you give your dog injections of insulin, a controlled diet, and lots of exercise. Some pet owners are not up to the challenge, and their dogs' life expectancy is shorter, since untreated diabetes leads to fatal complications including kidney and liver failure. But with proper, ongoing treatment you can give your dog a long and happier life.
It is impossible to predict how long it might take a dog to die if it has untreated diabetes; most pet owners try not to find out. If you faithfully follow through on your veterinarian's treatment plan, your dog can have a normal life expectancy.
Symptoms
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Increased thirst is a sign of diabetes. A quick loss of weight is one of the major symptoms of diabetes mellitus, since the dog's cells, seeking energy, might turn to its fat supply. Another prominent sign is heightened thirst and increased urination; the dog's body is using a lot of water to wash away the extra sugar in its system. Other symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy and a refusal to eat.
Diagnosis
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The vet will have to draw some blood and test your dog's urine to confirm the diagnosis. If you suspect that your dog has diabetes, your veterinarian will check the levels of sugar in its blood and urine, and its electrolyte levels. You might have to have your dog fast for 12 hours before the tests. If the vet finds signs of canine ketoacidosis, which means burning fat instead of sugar, it indicates the diabetes is in an advanced stage.
Treatment
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Proper treatment can help your diabetic dog have a normal life expectancy. Unlike humans, dogs have no pills that can manage their diabetes; you'll have to give your pet an insulin injection every day, at the same time of day. Your vet can show you how to do this, and will also teach you how to check the dog's blood sugar levels to make sure they stay in a normal range, and tell you what to do if they don't.
Diet
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Most commercial treats are a no-no. Your diabetic dog should eat the same amount of food every day, at the same times of day, to help its blood sugar levels stay even. A series of three small daily meals is better than one large one. Avoid feeding it table scraps; rather, feed it a measured amount of dog food as recommended by your vet. He will probably suggest a low-carb, low-fat brand of commercial dog food that contains high-quality proteins. Avoid most commercial treats, which contain sugar. Even natural sugars like those in fruit and milk will change your dog's insulin needs.
Exercise
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Make sure your diabetic dog gets exercise---the same amount every day. The amount of exercise your dog gets affects its insulin levels. Therefore, it should get the same amount of exercise each day. If one day it exercises more or less than usual, you'll have to test its glucose levels and change its dose of insulin accordingly.
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