We often hear of or make allusions to diabetes: for instance there is a really sweet
sugar stuffed cookie sweetness that one can buy at the mall and I call it “The Diabetes Cookie”. We often associate human diabetes with highly sweet diets. But what is diabetes? And how do animals develop it if they are not fed “The Diabetes Cookie” regularly? Diabetes is a chronic disease that can affect humans, dogs, cats and even goats. There are 2 types of diabetes in dogs, diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is the “sugar diabetes” because it results in the poor regulation of the blood sugar; diabetes insipidus is the “water diabetes” because it results in the poor regulation of the body’s water. Miles, a Labrador Retriever mix dog was diagnosed with the former. Diabetes mellitus is by far the more common of the two in dogs, so we will focus on that one in this text.
Miles is a sweet natured, extremely gentle guy. The first time we saw him, he was presented for arthritis and diabetes management. At that time Miles was overweight and was having difficulties walking. Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which blood sugar regulation is not normal. There are multiple reasons a dog can develop diabetes and there are 2 main types of diabetes mellitus. We always think of obese or at least chubby animals when we hear diabetes and it is not wrong, high calorie diet paired with lack of activity can make the cells of the body become resistant to insulin thus preventing glucose from going from the blood stream into the cells (this is similar to type 2 diabetes in humans).
Most commonly, diabetes mellitus in dogs is due to insulin deficiency (Similar to type 1 in people). This occurs when the pancreas produces too little or no insulin because of damage to their insulin producing cells, often as a result of pancreatitis. The pancreas on top of secreting digestive enzymes for the stomach has beta cells that secret insulin. When pancreatitis occurs, the beta cells are damaged or killed thus slowing or stopping insulin production. Pancreatitis can be caused by multiple reasons such as high fat diet (the skin of your Thanksgiving turkey can be fatty enough to put your pet at risk for pancreatitis), obesity and some medications or toxins.
Virtually all diabetic patients show signs of polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia and weight
loss (increased drinking, increased urination, increased appetite respectively). Increased drinking and increased urination typically go hand in hand. Since the glucose is “stuck” in the blood stream, the body is excreting the excess glucose in the urine. Increased urination causes dehydration thus creating increased thirst. Increased appetite and weight loss are due to the fact that glucose is not moved into the cells for energy. The dog would feel hungry constantly even though he is fed regularly. If left untreated elevated glucose levels can damage the body further. The excess glucose in the blood stream can damage smaller vessels; this is why some diabetic patients lose sensation in their feet (humans). Elevated blood sugar increases glucose in the lens of the eye which causes it to swell and form a cataract. In fact about 75% of dogs diagnosed with diabetes mellitus contract cataracts within 1 year of diagnosis. This occurs very quickly, sometimes as fast as 2 days. Unfortunately, Miles developed cataracts and is now blind in both eyes.
It is necessary to perform glucose curves when placing a pet on insulin to assure that the dose is correct. The glucose curve consists of checking a blood glucose level every 2 hours over a 12 hour period. Miles had several glucose curves performed over several weeks to determine his optimal dose.
Although diabetes is not curable, it is manageable through proper diet, exercise and insulin therapy. Miles was put on a prescription W/D diet, this is a high fiber diet designed to help maintain steady blood sugar levels and also helps with weight control.
Written by Ando
