Dogs affected by diabetes insipidus typically develop an increased urge to drink and therefore, consequently, an increased urge to urinate. The medical terms for both tendencies are polydipsia and polyuria. Fortunately, diabetes insipidus in dogs is a manageable condition and most affected dogs have a pretty good prognosis.
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Significance
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Diabetes insipidus in dogs is due to an insufficient production of a special hormone responsible for concentrating urine known as ADH. Affected dogs therefore, are unable to concentrate their urine, which causes dogs to produce too much urine and very diluted.
Causes
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Because the ADH hormone is produced in the brain, trauma or cancer may interfere with its production. Another possibility, yet rare, is that sufficient ADH is produced, but the kidney is unable to respond to this hormone. Often, the cause remains idiopathic, meaning no real trigger is found.
Treatment
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Treatment consists of the administration of desmopressin acetate often abbreviated as DDAVP. This medication is the synthetic form of the ADH hormone. Other treatments include the administration of chlorpropamide, thiazide diuretics and a reduction of salt in the diet.
Management
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These treatments are not mandatory, rather, it is up to owners to decide if they can cope with the increased water intake and urination. If the dog can be given unlimited access to water and the owner does not mind the extra trips outside or if the dog lives outdoors, medications can be optional.
Prognosis
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Dogs may cope pretty well with diabetes inspidus, however, follow-up care is important and so is ensuring that the dog has access to water at all times. Any time the dog develops an illness where the dog drinks less or vomits, a veterinarian should be consulted because of the potential for serious complications due to dehydration.
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