Diabetes is a chronic disease that can affect dogs and cats and other animals (including apes, pigs, and horses) as well as humans. Although diabetes can’t be cured, it can be managed very successfully.
Diabetes mellitus, or “sugar diabetes,” is the type of diabetes seen most often in dogs. It is a metabolism disorder. Metabolism refers to how the body converts food to energy.
To understand what diabetes is, it helps to understand some of this process.
The glucose–insulin connection
The conversion of food nutrients into energy to power the body’s cells involves an ongoing interplay of two things:
• Glucose: essential fuel for the body’s cells. When food is digested, the body breaks down some of the nutrients into glucose, a type of sugar that is a vital source of energy for certain body cells and organs. The glucose is absorbed from the intestines into the blood, which then transports the glucose throughout the body.
• Insulin: in charge of fuel delivery. Meanwhile, an important organ next to the stomach called the pancreas releases the hormone insulin into the body. Insulin acts as a “gatekeeper” that tells cells to grab glucose and other nutrients out of the bloodstream and use them as fuel.
With diabetes, the glucose-insulin connection isn’t working as it should. Diabetes occurs in dogs in two forms:
• Insulin-deficiency diabetes—This is when the dog’s body isn’t producing enough insulin. This happens when the pancreas is damaged or otherwise not functioning properly. Dogs with this type of diabetes need daily shots to replace the missing insulin. This is the most common type of diabetes in dogs.
• Insulin-resistance diabetes—This is when the pancreas is producing some insulin, but the dog’s body isn’t utilizing the insulin as it should. The cells aren’t responding to the insulin’s “message,” so glucose isn’t being pulled out of the blood and into the cells. This type of diabetes can especially occur in older, obese dogs.
Female dogs can also develop temporary insulin resistance while in heat or pregnant.
Damage caused by diabetes: A double whammy
Whatever the type of diabetes, the negative effects on the body are the same. Excessive sugar builds up in the dog’s bloodstream, and yet the body’s cells that need that sugar can't access it.
So the “bad” effects that diabetes causes in the dog’s body are twofold:
• Cells are starved for vital “fuel.” Muscle cells and certain organ cells are deprived of the glucose “fuel” they need for energy. In response, the body starts breaking down its own fats and proteins to use as alternative fuel.
• High sugar level in the bloodstream damages many organs. Without insulin to help convert the glucose in the bloodstream into fuel, high levels of glucose build up in the blood. Unfortunately, this abnormal blood chemistry acts like a sort of poison and eventually causes multi-organ damage. This often includes damage to the kidneys, eyes, heart, blood vessels, or nerves.
Early signs. The owner will sometimes notice certain symptoms that can be early signs of diabetes:
Advanced signs. In more advanced cases of diabetes, symptoms can become more pronounced and can include:
Threats to health. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to devastating effects on the dog’s body, which is why early detection and proper treatment are crucial. Effects of diabetes on the dog’s health can include:
Your veterinarian can do simple tests to check for diabetes, including testing for excessive glucose (sugar) in the blood and urine. Blood tests can also show other indications of diabetes, such as high liver enzymes and electrolyte imbalances.
The sooner diabetes is diagnosed and treatment begun, the better chance the pet has of a normal life.
Although some cases may be more challenging, canine diabetes can be usually managed successfully without complications. From giving injections to monitoring glucose levels daily, you will play the primary role in your dog’s care, and your commitment to keeping up with his daily shots and monitoring is extremely important.
Your veterinarian will work with you to determine the best management plan for your dog. At the start of treatment this may involve frequent visits to the clinic for testing and medication adjustments, but hopefully the right combination of medication, dosage, diet, and home monitoring will soon be arrived at that will enable you to keep your dog’s blood sugar consistently regulated and help him live a full, happy life.
Your dog’s diabetes management plan provided by your veterinarian will probably include information about:
• insulin medication for your dog and how to give the injections
• diet and exercise recommendations
• a daily glucose-monitoring system that will work best for your dog
• any warning signs to watch out for
If your pet is diagnosed with diabetes, don’t panic. With good veterinary support, you should be able to provide the right care for your pet and ensure you both many more happy years together.
Note: The information above is designed to help inform you about canine diabetes and is not meant to take the place of a veterinary diagnosis. If you have questions or concerns about your dog’s health or possible symptoms, be sure to contact and consult with your veterinarian right away.
Sources: American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Merck Veterinary Manual, VCA Animal Hospitals, Adelaide Animal Hospitals, PetMD, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, and Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
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