Common Disease Name:
Diabetes
Medical Term for Disease:
Diabetes Mellitus
Species Affected by Disease:
Dogs and cats
Age Animal Usually Affected:
The average age range for the development of diabetes mellitus in dogs is 4-14 years; however, most cases are diagnosed at 7-9 years of age.
Commonly Affected Breeds:
Any dog can develop diabetes mellitus, but some breeds with suspected genetic predisposition to diabetes mellitus with higher risk than other breeds are the Keeshond, puli, Cairn terrier, and miniature pinscher. Possible higher risk than other breeds--poodle, dachshund, miniature schnauzer, and beagle.
Sex Usually Affected:
Female’s dogs are twice as likely as males to be developing the disease.
Disease Symptoms:
Early signs are excessive thirst, urination and weight loss. Later signs are loss of appetite, lethargy, depression, and vomiting.
Methods of Diagnosis:
The key diagnostic signs are high levels of glucose in the blood (over 200 mg %l) and glucose in the urine. Advanced stages of diabetes are denoted by the presence of ketones in the urine. This critical stage of diabetes is called diabetic ketoacidosis, and is life threatening. Often these dogs will have a slight 'acetone' smell to their breath. Other tests will be run by the veterinarian to check for concurrent disease processes.
Disease Causes:
Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus is characterized by very low to absent insulin secretory ability by the pancreas. These patients die if not treated with insulin and are prone to ketoacidosis. Type II (no insulin- dependent) diabetes mellitus is characterized by inadequate or delayed insulin secretion relative to the needs of the patient. Many of these patients live without insulin injections and are less prone to ketoacidosis. The cause of diabetes is believed to be multifactorial. Causes to consider include genetic predisposition, viral infection, immune mediated destruction of the insulin secreting cells, drugs, pancreatic disease, obesity, estrus in intact females, and concurrent illness.
Treatment:
Dipstick urine tests, daily insulin doses and weight should be monitored at home. Dogs that are alert, hydrated, eating and drinking without vomiting can be managed as outpatients. Strenuous activity may lower insulin requirement and a consistent amount of exercise each day is helpful. Weight loss in obese dogs is advised, and feeding high fiber diets 60% of the caloric requirement for the dog's ideal body weight is useful. Try to achieve the target weight over 2-4 months. Rapid weight loss is not recommended. Another beneficial effect may be improved glycemic control. Recommended diet is high in fiber, low in fat, and high in complex carbohydrates. Avoid soft, moist foods because they cause severe post-meal hyperglycemia. (Spike in blood sugar). Feed the dog half its daily food every 12 hours to along with twice-daily insulin injections or orally administered hypoglycemic agent. For animals on once-daily insulin injections, half the food is given with the injection and the remainder in 8-10 hours.
Prognosis:
Excellent if glucose levels can be
controlled. However, the disease will never go away and a lifelong 
commitment to treatment is required. Most animals have a normal life span.
Complications:
Cataracts, blindness, ketoacidosis. Diabetics may be more prone to urinary tract infections.
Prevention:
Dogs with diabetes mellitus should not be used for breeding.
Medicines Used for Treatment of Disease:
Insulin, several types, oral hypoglycemic agent.
Helpful Products:
High fiber diabetic diets, urine test sticks, toys to encourage exercise
