Not only are humans affected with diabetes, put your best friend can also suffer from a form of canine diabetes. There are two types of diabetes in dogs, diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. Diabetes insipidus is a rare form of dog diabetes that is caused by an animal’s failure to regulate body water content. This post is about the much more common form of canine diabetes known as diabetes mellitus, or sugar diabetes.
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Cause of Diabetes in a Dog
Diabetes in a dog occurs as a result of a malfunction in the pet’s pancreas. The pancreas is a vital organ found near the stomach that is responsible for producing the enzymes necessary for proper food digestion as well as producing the hormone known as insulin. Insulin is important for breaking down blood sugars that can then be passed from the bloodstream to all of the cells in the animal’s body to produce energy for metabolism. If these cells aren’t supplied with an adequate amount of blood sugar they will usually be altered or they may even die which can be fatal to your beloved pet. Because blood sugars aren’t allowed into the cells, they accumulate in the blood causing high blood sugar, otherwise known as hyperglycemia, and high urine sugar, or glycosuria.
There are two forms of diabetes mellitus in dogs, Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus known as Type I, and Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus known as Type II. Both of these types are alike because there’s a failure to regulate blood sugar, but the basic mechanisms behind each type are somewhat different.
Type I Diabetes Mellitus
Type I diabetes mellitus occurs as a result of total destruction or an almost complete alteration of the cells that are deprived of blood sugar. It is the more common of the two types of diabetes in dogs. Pets inflicted with this type of diabetes will require daily insulin injections to control blood sugar levels.
Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Type II diabetes mellitus differs from Type I in that the pancreas is able to produce some insulin, but the amount it does produce is not enough to prevent support all of the cells in the dog’s body. There is a displayed response in the pancreas to secreting insulin, and the cells in the tissues of the canine are somewhat resistant to it. This type of diabetes typically occurs in senior dogs that are overweight or obese.
If left untreated, a dog with diabetes can also develop other serious health issues that include dehydration, malnutrition, blindness, weakening of the muscles, and ketoacidosis. Though there is no cure for diabetes in canines, it is treatable and doesn’t have to decrease the pet’s life expectancy or alter the animal’s quality of life.
Are Some Breeds More Susceptible to Dog Diabetes?
Though all dog breeds can be affected by canine diabetes, German Shepherds, Poodles, Golden Retrievers, Keeshonden, and Miniature Schnauzers tend to have higher incidence rates. It is also more commonly found in female dogs as nearly 75% of all diabetes cases are specific to this gender. In rare cases, puppies can be inflicted with dog diabetes, but it is typically a disease that affects pets that are five years of age or older.
If you think your pet may be suffering from this disease, continue on to the next post to learn about the signs and symptoms of canine diabetes.
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