Canine Diabetes
By Dr. Christina Britto
Mookie, an 8-year-old mixed breed, came into my office because she was always thirsty and urinating on her owner’s best rug. Her owner also mentioned that Mookie was always eating, but she looked skinny and preferred napping to playing.
These symptoms are vague and can represent many diseases; however, diabetes was at the top of my list. Mookie’s physical exam was fairly normal. But after checking a blood and urine sample, she was immediately diagnosed with diabetes. Though diabetes cannot be cured, it can be successfully managed with insulin injections and frequent visits to the veterinarian.
In all dogs, the cells of the body require glucose to function. Glucose is broken down from eating food and is delivered to the different cells by the blood stream. An organ called the pancreas releases insulin, which acts as a key to allow the glucose into the body’s cells. When an animal has diabetes, there is plenty of glucose in the blood but it cannot get into the cells to fuel the body. This makes the patient feel weak and sick. Diabetes has different classifications; the most common kind seen in dogs is “insulin dependent.” This is where the pancreas doesn’t make any insulin, so diabetic dogs will require insulin medication for the rest of their lives.
Diabetes is commonly found in older, spayed female dogs. Breeds commonly affected are Mini Pinschers, Cairn Terriers, Keeshonds, Dachshunds, Poodles, Beagles and Mini Schnauzers. Over 10 percent of our canine population has diabetes and the numbers continue to rise. The disease is seen in dogs mainly due to autoimmune disease and genetic disposition, which means it cannot be prevented. Factors like obesity, drugs (steroids) and other metabolic diseases can also cause diabetes, so it is important to visit your veterinarian yearly for wellness checks. Once a dog has been diagnosed, it is usually irreversible.
If your canine companion is exhibiting the symptoms of diabetes, the first thing your vet will do is check a blood and urine sample. These samples have the information to definitively diagnosis the disease in seconds. Additional blood work evaluates for the presence of common concurrent diseases like renal failure, Cushing’s disease and pancreatitis. Your veterinarian may suggest other tests, like X-rays or an ultrasound, to evaluate the integrity of surrounding abdominal organs.
The mainstay of diabetes treatment in dogs is insulin. There are many types of insulin available; Vetsulin or NPH (can be found at human pharmacies) is most commonly used. It is given as an injection under the skin twice daily by the owners at home, and your veterinarian will go over in detail how to administer and handle the drug. When newly diagnosed, weekly visits may be needed to monitor the changes in blood glucose and tailor the insulin dose. Once stable, a follow-up schedule will be recommended by the veterinarian.
For brave owners there are “at-home” blood glucose monitors used daily by taking blood samples from ear pricks. Although not for everyone, it helps closely monitor your pet’s blood sugar. The results can be reported back to the veterinarian for advice. There are also urine dipsticks that can let a owner know when there is an abundance of glucose in the urine or, more dangerous, ketones, which means an immediate trip to the vet is in order. Be sure to ask your vet the best way to collect a urine sample.
Research has found that diabetic dogs benefit from a high fiber diet. There are commercial formulas available to ensure your pooch is getting the appropriate nutrition (examples are Hill’s R/D or W/D and Purina DM) or you can talk to your vet about home-cooked meals. It is important to avoid excess sugars and treats that can cause blood glucose levels to skyrocket.
Consistent daily exercise can help the diabetic dog maintain a healthy weight and potentially decreases the daily insulin requirements. This occurs because exercise increases blood flow and encourages blood glucose to be used by the muscles, getting it out of the blood stream.
Diabetes is a life-changing diagnosis that is quite an adjustment to daily pet care; however, a diabetic dog can still live a long and comfortable life. Through a committed owner, a supportive veterinary partnership, and tons of love, Mookie has done very well and is a thriving patient of mine.
Symptoms to Watch
» CATARACTS: It is common to see diabetic dogs form ocular cataracts in both eyes and eventually go blind. Currently, there is no medical treatment to cure cataracts but surgery is available by specialists.
» HYPOGLYCEMIA: Low blood sugar can occur from insulin overdose and is deadly. If your diabetic dog is weak, won’t eat or trembling, call a veterinarian immediately.
» DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS: This occurs when the blood sugar remains too high for a long period of time. The patient’s body goes into a state of starvation and they will be weak, won’t eat and can vomit or have diarrhea. This state requires emergency long-term hospitalization.
» INFECTIONS: Diabetic dogs frequently have urinary tract infections because there is an abundance of glucose in their urine. Symptoms are frequent squatting, accidents in the house and blood in urine.
Dr. Christina Britto practices at the Brentwood Pet Clinic in West Los Angeles and has an interest in surgery and pediatrics. She shares her home with a mini Poodle named Sophie.
