Hey there, dedicated pet parents. Just like people, our canine companions can get diabetes. Diabetes Mellitus, often just called "sugar diabetes," is a common hormonal disease in dogs that affects how the body uses glucose (sugar). A diagnosis of diabetes can feel overwhelming, but it's important to know that with dedication and a consistent routine, diabetic dogs can live long, happy lives.
What is Diabetes Mellitus?
Every time your dog eats, the food is broken down into glucose, which is the main source of energy for the body's cells. For the cells to be able to use that glucose, they need the help of a hormone called insulin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas, and it acts like a key that unlocks the door to the cells, allowing glucose to enter.
In a diabetic dog, there is a problem with insulin. In dogs, this is almost always a case of Type 1 Diabetes, which is an insulin deficiency. For reasons we don't fully understand, the dog's immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Without insulin, the glucose can't get into the cells. It just builds up in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).
The body's cells are starving for energy, even though there is plenty of sugar all around them.
Spotting the Signs of Diabetes
The classic signs of diabetes are all related to the body trying to get rid of the excess sugar in the bloodstream.
- •Excessive Thirst (Polydipsia): Your dog is drinking way more water than usual.
- •Excessive Urination (Polyuria): You may find that your dog is asking to go out more often or is having accidents in the house. The kidneys are working overtime to flush the excess sugar out of the body in the urine.
- •Increased Appetite (Polyphagia): The body's cells are starving, so the brain is telling the dog to eat more.
- •Weight Loss: Despite the increased appetite, the dog is losing weight because they can't use the calories they are eating.
So, the classic diabetic dog is one that is drinking a ton, urinating a ton, eating a ton, and still losing weight.
Another common sign of diabetes in dogs is the sudden development of cataracts. The high blood sugar affects the lens of the eye, causing it to become cloudy. This can lead to blindness very quickly.
The Danger of DKA
If diabetes is not treated, it can progress to a life-threatening complication called Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). The body, desperate for energy, starts to break down fat, which produces ketones. Ketones are toxic at high levels. A dog with DKA will be very sick, with vomiting, lethargy, and a "sweet" smelling breath. DKA requires intensive emergency hospitalization.
How Vets Diagnose Diabetes
The diagnosis of diabetes is very straightforward. Your vet will need to find two things:
- •Persistent Hyperglycemia: High glucose in the blood.
- 1Glucosuria: Glucose in the urine.
A normal dog should never have glucose in their urine. If a dog has both high blood sugar and sugar in their urine, the diagnosis of diabetes is confirmed.
Treatment: A New Daily Routine
There is no cure for Type 1 diabetes in dogs. The treatment is to replace the missing insulin. This means you will need to give your dog insulin injections under the skin, usually twice a day, for the rest of their life.
This can sound very scary to owners, but it's something that you can learn to do very easily! The needles are very small, and most dogs don't even feel it. Your veterinary team will teach you everything you need to know.
The cornerstones of diabetes management are:
- •Insulin: Giving the injections at the same time every day (12 hours apart).
- 1Diet: Feeding your dog the same amount of a consistent, high-quality diet at the same time every day. A diet high in fiber and complex carbohydrates is often recommended.
- 2Exercise: A consistent, moderate exercise routine is important.
- 3Routine: Consistency is everything! The insulin dose is balanced with the dog's diet and exercise. Keeping all three of these things as consistent as possible from day to day is the key to success.
Monitoring: The Blood Glucose Curve
Once your dog starts on insulin, the dose will need to be adjusted to get their blood sugar under control. The main tool for this is a blood glucose curve.
This involves taking a small blood sample to check the blood sugar every 1-2 hours over a 12-hour period. This shows how the dog's blood sugar responds to the insulin injection over the course of the day. This can be done at the vet's office, or your vet can teach you how to do it at home with a portable glucometer (like the AlphaTrak). Home monitoring is often less stressful for the dog.
The goal of treatment is not to keep the blood sugar perfectly normal all day, but rather to keep it in a safe range and to eliminate the clinical signs of excessive thirst and urination.
A diabetes diagnosis is a big change, but it's a very manageable condition. It just requires a commitment to a new routine. Your veterinary team is your partner in this journey, and together, you can help your diabetic dog live a long and wonderful life.
Sources & Further Reading:
- •VCA Animal Hospitals - Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs
- 1American Kennel Club - Diabetes in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment