Diabetes in Dogs

Diabetes, medically known as diabetes mellitus, is a complex endocrine disease marked by an increase of glucose levels in the blood. This happens either due to a lack of insulin in the body or because the body is unable to use the insulin properly. 

Since insulin helps in absorbing all the extra glucose from the blood, there is an increase in the blood glucose levels in its absence, known as hyperglycemia.

There are two types of diabetes that affect dogs:

• Type 1 Diabetes: The most common type of diabetes seen in dogs, type 1 diabetes is also known as insulin-deficiency diabetes. The cells that form insulin in the pancreas are destroyed, thus leading to hyperglycemia.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Mostly seen in dogs with excess body fat, type 2 diabetes is also known as insulin-resistance diabetes. In this kind of diabetes, other hormones of the body prevent insulin from working properly, thus leading to hyperglycemia.

Symptoms of diabetes in dogs are quite similar to the ones we see in humans. The classic symptoms of diabetes are:

• Polyuria: You may start noticing that your dog is urinating excessively.
• Polyphagia: Your dog may have a significantly bigger appetite than before.
• Polydipsia: Your dog may feel thirsty all the time.
• Weight loss: There may be a sudden or rapid loss in the weight of your dog.

More severe symptoms could be seen if the diabetes is uncontrolled or in case of late diagnosis:

• Poor coat quality: Your dog may start shedding a lot of hair - more than usual.
• Cataract: You may notice visible clouding of your dog’s eye lenses.
• Hepatomegaly: Your dog’s liver may get inflamed and enlarged in uncontrolled diabetes.
• Urinary tract infections: Dogs with UTI (urinary tract infection) can suffer from painful urination which can sometimes have blood in it.
• Kidney failures: In extreme cases, a dog with diabetes can suffer from kidney failure.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis: It is a potentially life-threatening condition associated with uncontrolled diabetes where ketone levels in the blood increase and lead to symptoms like rapid breathing, dehydration, lethargy and sweet-smelling breath.

Several factors are responsible for dogs developing diabetes:

• Age: While dogs are at risk of developing diabetes at any age, older dogs (above the age of seven) are at more risk of developing diabetes. 
• Gender: Diabetes is mostly seen in female dogs and neutered male dogs.
• Genetics: Some breeds like Poodles, Pugs, Golden Retrievers, Pulis, Terriers, Dachshunds and Beagles are more prone to developing diabetes than other breeds.
• Pancreatic diseases: Chronic pancreatitis can damage the pancreas, eventually leading to diabetes.
• Obesity: Obesity makes your dog’s body resistant to insulin thus leading to diabetes.
• Medications: If your dog is on steroids for a long time, it may lead to insulin resistance in their body, eventually leading to diabetes.

Diagnosis of diabetes in dogs is made by a veterinarian on the basis of clinical symptoms and other tests like complete blood count (CBC), urine analysis and liver function test (LFT).

Other than increased blood sugar levels, presence of ketone bodies and protein in the urine, hyperlipidemia (elevated cholesterol and/or triglycerides), an enlarged liver (hepatomegaly), increased liver enzymes, elevated white blood cells due to secondary infections and low blood phosphorus levels are present in a dog with diabetes.

Diabetes does not have a treatment but can successfully be managed with the help of proper veterinary care.

Insulin therapy: A dog would need insulin shots to maintain the right blood sugar levels in the body. Most dogs require insulin injections twice a day, about 12 hours apart, after a meal. It’s really important that you stick to a routine of giving injections at the same time every day.

Diet: The owner should feed their dog the correct type and amount of food for every meal, as advised by their vet. Do not cut off carbohydrates completely from your dog’s diet as it leads to a sudden drop in their blood sugar, so follow your vet’s instructions. Snacking between meals can be done if your diabetic dog seems low on sugar and carbohydrates. Homemade dehydrated meats, carrots and pumpkins could be given to the dog as treats. 

Exercise: Moderate exercising is advised by the vet as an unusually long or vigorous workout could cause blood sugar levels to drop.

Regular testing: Owners may need to test their dogs' blood glucose levels at home by taking a small sample of blood with a tiny pinprick. This should be done to make sure that your dog’s blood sugar levels are maintained.

Cataracts are cloudy, whitish patches that appear on the lenses of the eyes. Diabetic dogs are especially prone to this, as high blood sugar levels alter the metabolism of the optical (eye) cells. (Genes also play a huge role in the development of cataracts in dogs.)

Diabetic dogs are also more susceptible to hyper-maturity of cataracts: a potentially painful condition in which the cataract liquefies but also causes inflammation.

Surgery is an option for some dogs. Ask your vet if your dog qualifies. And keep in mind that even after surgery, your pet's eyes will require lifelong management with eye drops.

There's little you can do to prevent cataracts, except give your pet a healthy diet and moderate exercise, and protect them from harmful UV rays of the sun.

It is important to remember that cataracts don't physically hurt our pets. And even if they go blind, they have their sense of smell and hearing, and of course, you to help them lead a full and happy life.