Diabetes In Dogs

Canine Diabetus or Diabetes Mellitus in dogs is a common endocrine disorder that affects our pet dogs in a similar way to humans. It is usually caused by a lack of insulin in the body, Insulin is produced in the pancreas. and allows the body’s cells to utilise glucose from the blood.

When a diabetic dog does not have enough insulin, the “cells scream for glucose” that can not get into the cells – and so glucose levels in the blood increase.

How is Dog Diabetes diagnosed?

Canine diabetes is diagnosed by persistently high blood glucose Urine tests will show glucose in the urine.

Clinical signs of canine Diabetes Mellitus:

• Increased thirst and increased urination
• Increased appetite with variable weight changes (often increase in early stages)
• depression
• lethargy
• vomiting
• Sweet, ‘acetone breath
• dehydration
• Cataracts in the eyes

How is Diabetes in dogs treated?

Insulin injections twice daily. We prefer using Caninsulin.

And feeding the two main dog diabetic meals an hour after the injections.

Diabetes in dogs may be complicated and treatment may be difficult at first.Treatment of dog Diabetes is lifelong and costly, and involves commitment and dedication as diabetic pets require regular injections of insulin and constant monitoring.

We have used FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System to monitor dog Diabetes glucose levels. This is commonly used in diabetic people.

Our Diabetic Dog veterinarians are able to then analyse the patient’s blood glucose levels over the whole day without the stress of multiple blood collections and hospital stays, and possibly tailor a diabetic regime or treatment for a longer and happy life.