In recent years, diabetes has become one of the most common diseases affecting canine companions. Diabetes can affect dogs of any age, so owners should not assume that their older, geriatric dog or their new puppy can't or won't develop diabetes. However, the majority of dogs affected by diabetes are middle-aged, usually between the ages of seven and nine. If left untreated, canine diabetes can lead to sudden blindness, which may or may not be permanent.
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Identification
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Dr. Leah Cohn of Pet Place states that diabetes is a disease in which the body is unable to metabolize sugars. There are four types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus (DI) and juvenile diabetes. Juvenile diabetes simply means that the diabetes occurred during puppyhood while diabetes insipidus is a type of diabetes where the affected dog is suffering from highly excessive urination and thirst. Type 2 diabetes occurs when something is preventing the body from utilizing the insulin and thus preventing the breakdown of sugars in the body. Type 1 diabetes is the most common kind. It occurs when the body is not producing enough insulin.
Symptoms of Canine Diabetes
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The symptoms of any type of canine diabetes are fairly straightforward, though there there may be a few variations such as with diabetes insipidus, where the urination and thirst are excessive. Holly Nash, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at PetEducation.com, notes that dogs with diabetes often suffer from weight loss, even if their appetite remains the same or even increases. Some dogs may have an increased thirst and increased urination, though it is not as excessive as with diabetes insipidus. The affected dog may become lethargic or uninterested in food or favorite activities. Its overall body condition may worsen over time and some dogs will succumb to blindness if the diabetes goes undetected.
Diagnosis
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Once the owner or the veterinarian suspects that a dog may be suffering from diabetes, the dog will undergo testing. To diagnose canine diabetes, the dog will undergo a urinalysis to check for a urinary tract infection and to check the glucose levels in the urine. The dog will also require a blood test to check the glucose levels in the blood. Additional tests to determine what type of diabetes is present may include x-rays or an ultrasound to check for physical abnormalities, thyroid tests, adrenal gland tests and a bile acid test.
Treatment
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Diabetes is not considered curable, though some types of diabetes will resolve naturally. Dogs with confirmed type 1 diabetes will require daily insulin injections to control glucose levels in the blood. Dogs with type 2 diabetes can receive an oral medication to help the body utilize the insulin being produced by the body. All dogs affected by any type of diabetes will require their owners to keep an eye on their weight and to provide them with a high quality diet. The dog should also receive moderate exercise, as it can help burn glucose in the blood.
Prevention and Prognosis
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Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes from occurring. However, proper management of the dog's weight can help reduce the chances of developing other types of diabetes. Fortunately, no matter what type of diabetes has occurred, most dogs can continue to live a long, healthy and normal life as long as their owner follows treatment protocol and the dog receives regular veterinary check-ups.
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