Diabetes in Dogs
What You Need To Know
Diabetes and Cushing’s disease share many of the same signs. Expert diagnosis is
needed to differentiate between the two.

Diabetes in dogs is a disease I'm very familiar with. One of my dog's, a Welsh Terrier, was diagnosed with this condition at 10 years of age.

The age range when dogs typically become diabetic is seven to ten years, although it can occur at any age and is always a scary diagnosis for pet parents. In this article, I will do my best to share everything I learned while caring for my diabetic dog.

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One thing I will say to prepare you for this journey is that there will be ups and downs during treatment and I certainly had a few disturbing moments, but this should not dissuade you from standing by your pet.

It is a rewarding experience and one I would do again without question as it meant I was able to enjoy my sweet dog for another three years.

If you are a pet owner concerned about preventing diabetes, have blood sugar tests carried out on a yearly basis. With early diagnosis you can begin treatment before damage is done to other organs in the body and get control of the disease.

Types of Diabetes in Dogs

While Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of humans, many people do not realize that Diabetes is also a serious issue that affects not only man, but also man’s best friend.

Canine diabetes results from malfunctioning of the endocrine glands. There are two types of diabetes in dogs: Diabetes insipidus and Diabetes mellitus. Diabetes insipidus stems from an inability of the kidneys to conserve water.

Whereas, Diabetes mellitus (type 1), aka sugar diabetes, results from deficient insulin and is caused by failure of the pancreas to regulate blood sugar. Not only is Diabetes mellitus more common, it is also more harmful.

Similarly to humans, dogs can get either Diabetes 1, or Diabetes 2. One other type of diabetes, referred to as Juvenile-onset diabetes, is uncommon but sometimes occurs in dogs less than 1 year of age.

In type II diabetes mellitus, some insulin-producing cells remain, but the amount of insulin they produce is not enough, nor timely. Type II diabetes rarely occurs in dogs.

Symptoms of the Diabetic Dog

So how do you determine if your dog might have Diabetes? Here are some signs of diabetes to look for:

Initially, dogs have an increase in appetite and want to eat more food. This is because the glucose, which fuels energy for metabolism, isn't reaching the body's cells where it is needed.

Weight loss. Even while eating a sufficient amount of food, the nutrients are not being processed as they normally would.

Increased quantity and frequency of passing watery urine. This is triggered by an excess of glucose in the urine which the kidneys then have to remove along with water bound to the sugar.

All this urinating leads to dehydration causing the pet to be very thirsty and constantly at his water bowl. This is his body's way of flushing the excess sugar out with the urine.

Courtesy: K.Winegeart

Your dog may start having accidents in the house around the onset of the disease. Other more advanced signs of dog diabetes include:

Lethargy
Cataracts
Sudden blindness
Seizures
Kidney failure

Heart problems and circulatory problems can also be the result of the diabetes. Tragically, if left untreated, diabetes can eventually result in a dog’s loss of life.

However, with careful management of diabetes, your pet can lead a normal, healthier life.

Causes Of Dog Diabetes

Diabetes in dogs is considered a disease that may be based on genetics. The pancreas doesn’t secrete the proper amount of insulin needed to use the glucose that the body produces. There is no exact cause that is linked to canine diabetes.

However, there are some markers that might determine how likely your dog is to get diabetes. For example:

Genetics
Larger dogs are more likely to get diabetes.
Many dogs that get diabetes are obese.
Cushing’s disease or chronic Pancreatitis.
Unspayed female dogs may be more prone to diabetes.

Some dog breeds have been identified as being in a higher risk category. Those include: Miniature Poodles, Bichons Frises, Pugs, Dachshunds, Miniature Schnauzers, Puli, Samoyeds, Keeshonds, Australian Terriers, Fox Terriers, Cairn Terriers, and Beagles.

dog looking up at person with hand on his head

Treatment of Diabetes in Dogs

The treatment of dog diabetes is typically handled by twice daily injections of insulin. The amount of insulin that is given to your dog needs to be calibrated according to his glucose levels and this generally takes a few adjustments.

Owners can test their dog’s urine at home for glucose levels with test strips, or optionally a blood glucose meter - for easier and more precise results.

Glucose Monitoring System
Includes Wireless
PetLink+ Meter

If the administration of injections is not something you are familiar with, your vet can demonstrate or you can watch the video below. It's actually quite easy and you can practice at home with an unpeeled orange which is similar to what it feels like with skin. An alternative method of injecting is with an insulin pen which is a little easier.

Pet parents with diabetic dogs are usually committed to their dog's well-being and happily take over this responsibility along with the necessary testing, to control the disease and help their dog function normally.

Diabetic Dog Diet

Diet is a big factor in treating diabetes in dogs. I wasn't aware of this at the time of my dog's illness. The professional I consulted with did not seem to know this either. My dog went blind in less than a month.

While cataracts are associated with diabetes, I think they may have been slower to develop with immediate dietary changes. My opinion.

It is important to work with your veterinarian or a pet nutritionist to determine the correct diet for your dog as individual dietary needs will vary.

Generally, the recommendation is to give your dog foods high in protein and fiber, and restrict fats and carbohydrates, but it can be hard for you to analyze this without guidance. Sometimes a prescription diet is recommended. My advice is do your research when it comes to diet.

Two important things to remember:

Once you have determined the correct diet, it is crucial to serve your dog his meals on a set schedule. Plus the amount of food should be kept the same - any variation can impact his insulin needs and cause problems for your dog. Bear in mind, that insulin is generally given a short time after meals.

Never change the insulin dosage that has been recommended by your veterinarian. Your vet will need to see the results of a glucose curve before deciding whether an adjustment is needed.
A glucose curve is a series of blood glucose measurements taken over a 10-24 hour period.

You can complete the curve at home with a hand-held glucometer (shown above). Blood samples are taken every couple of hours. Keeping your pet relaxed and stress free is an important factor in obtaining accurate measurements, so that a vote for home testing where he will be less anxious.

This will also save you the expense of having the curve completed while your pet stays at the veterinarian's clinic.

TIPS:

Make a note of the type of insulin your pet is receiving. Keep a log of the dose amount and the times given. In the event the medicine becomes lost, or you have to visit a different vet in an emergency, this information will be valuable. The Pet Planner shown at the top of this page is ideal for keeping these records.

If your dog becomes incontinent - mine did - obtain a supply of pet diapers, especially if your pet likes to sleep nearby in your bedroom at night.

If you don't have health insurance and the cost of insulin is a burden, ask your vet if a generic brand or human insulin (usually cheaper), can be used. Also, shop around at online pharmacies. Likewise for prescription diets which are generally more expensive at veterinary offices.

Have your dog's tags engraved that he is insulin dependent.

Also make sure that your dog is getting enough exercise and stick to a consistent routine. If his exercise is on and off, it can play havoc with regulating your dog's insulin.

Ask your veterinarian about hypoglycemia which can result from an accidental/inaccurate insulin dose and is very dangerous.

Prevention

Overweight dogs are more at risk for diabetes, so If you notice that your dog is becoming obese, take measures to get him or her back to a healthy weight.

Since obesity and diabetes are linked, it only makes sense to control what your dog is eating as well as the amount. Keeping a log is ideal.

Also to prevent the possible onset of diabetes, make sure that your dog is eating a healthy diet and getting appropriate exercise for his age.

Control the amount sugar in your pets diet by being aware of the glycemic level of typical foods your pet may be offered.

Limit the amount of treats and ideally make them at home without sugar.

Generally avoid commercial treats which can contain high levels of sugar, fat, carbohydrates and preservatives.

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Alternative Remedies To Consider

There are some hypothetical remedies that pet parents have used in treating diabetes. I cannot vouch for any of these as I have no first hand experience with them, so take them with a grain of salt and do some research if any of them interest you.

Herbs including turmeric, fenugreek, and bitter melon have been shown to lower a dog’s glucose levels to some degree.

Bilberry has been indicated as useful remedy for dogs with diabetes, as it is said to help prevent the progression of cataracts.

Another extremely beneficial herb that is said to work with diabetic dogs is called Karela. This herb is considered to be effective in maintaining glucose levels in the blood. Karela also stimulates the pancreas to work more effectively.

Bejak, This herb is thought to not only help reduce glucose in the blood, but also may prevent deterioration of the organs.

Dog Diabetes Summary

One of the most important things that you can do to benefit your dog is to provide lots of nurturing.

Dogs need to feel safe, and they will respond positively to any support that you offer. In fact, a dog’s body will be more likely to function properly if he or she is feeling loved and cared for.

Lastly, the sooner pet parents are able to recognize dog illnesses and implement treatment, the better chance their pet has of managing a disease and returning to good health. In this case, close association with a trusted vet is your friend.

Here's a Dog Diabetes Summary:

Causes: Genetics, Pancreatitis, Cushing's disease, and Certain medications.
Diagnosis: Blood glucose test, Urinalysis, and Fructosamine test.
Treatment: Insulin injections calibrated for the pet (usually twice daily).
Dietary changes (low-carb, high-fiber).
Monitoring blood glucose levels
Regular veterinary checkups

Prognosis:
With the right care, dogs with diabetes can live long and healthy lives. However, it is a a condition that requires ongoing management.

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Always consult your veterinarian when you have health-related questions. Information on this website is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional. The information above is designed to help inform you about the topic.. Using this information is at your own discretion and we will not be liable for any actions taken by any person or any consequences that may result.

Diabetes in Dogs What You Need To KnowDiabetes and Cushing’s disease share many of the same signs. Expert diagnosis is needed to differentiate between the two.