Reviewed and fact checked by Bruce Whittle, DVM
What is Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs?
Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disease of dogs. It tends to affect middle-aged dogs. Most diabetes cases in dogs are similar to Type 1 Diabetes in people where the pancreas, the organ that produces insulin, does not produce sufficient insulin to meet the body’s needs. Insulin is a hormone that is responsible for helping the body store sugars after a meal. If there is not enough insulin, the blood sugar will remain high. Continuous high blood sugar results in adverse effects in several body systems. With Type 2 Diabetes, due to chronic disease, the pancreas may produce less insulin but, more importantly, the body responds less well to the same amount of insulin.
What dog breeds are most commonly affected?
Though this list is not comprehensive, these are some of the dog breeds most commonly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus:
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Schnauzers
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Poodles
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Samoyeds
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Cairn Terriers
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English Springer Spaniels
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Bichon Frise
What are some signs my dog may have diabetes mellitus?
Most dogs with diabetes are presented to a veterinarian due to complaints of frequent urination and increased drinking along with weight loss despite normal or increased appetite. Dogs with diabetes will often be lethargic as well. Dogs with Type 2 diabetes are often overweight and have concurrent disease issues such as obesity, Cushing’s disease or dental disease but also present with increased drinking and frequent urination. The condition was termed diabetes mellitus because this roughly means “honeyed urine” which refers to the high sugar levels in the urine in an attempt by the kidneys to reduce the high blood sugar by excreting the sugar in the urine.
How can my veterinarian determine if my dog has diabetes?
Because of the complexity of diabetes with regard to concurrent disease processes, your veterinarian will likely recommend a blood panel to assess the different body systems. A urine sample is one of the key diagnostic tests because high glucose (sugar) levels in the urine are characteristic for diabetes and the sample can also be examined for the presence of a urinary infection. Since diabetes also makes it easier for an affected dog to get an infection, a complete blood count will help assess the status of the white blood cells and thus likelihood of infection. Specific testing for Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism or other disease processes may also be necessary to determine the best treatment plan for your dog in case your dog has multiple disease conditions at the same time.
Now that I know my dog has diabetes, can it be treated?
Treatment of a diabetic dog requires a committed dog owner. Most dogs require daily or twice daily injections of insulin and a change in diet. Though insulin is given via a very small needle, many owners are not up to this task. Insulin must also be given on a regular schedule to prevent large glucose swings in the blood. The treatment will be for the life of the dog. A newer class of drugs called SGLT2 inhibitors is increasingly used to treat diabetes, often in conjunction with insulin. These drugs promote wasting of glucose in the urine by the kidneys. They can help decrease insulin dosages required to manage diabetes but like all drugs can have side-effects of their own.
Can diabetes be deadly to my dog?
Occasionally, a dog that is undiagnosed or is not responding well to treatment will present with a life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. In this condition, the dog starts using stored fat as an energy source. A by-product of fat metabolism is a group of substances called ketones. When an animal is adapted to utilizing low levels of ketones as energy there are no problems but in non-adapted individuals, high levels of ketones will cause a very serious, even deadly, condition in the body. Signs your dog may have ketoacidosis are decreased appetite, vomiting and breath that smells like paint thinner. This is an emergency condition that requires immediate care by a veterinarian.
Summary
Diabetes is a serious condition of dogs. Diagnosing this condition early in susceptible dog breeds is helpful as some cases may respond to diet and exercise change alone, especially with Type 2 diabetes. Determining if other diseases are present at the same time is important as they can make diabetes worse. If your dog has any signs consistent with diabetes, especially more frequent urination and increased drinking, contact your veterinarian to perform an examination and testing to avoid having serious complications like ketoacidosis. Your veterinarian will help you determine the best treatments and basic management changes to allow your dog to live his or her best life, even with a disease condition like diabetes.
