What is diabetes mellitus?
Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disease in dogs characterized by a chronic increase in blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia).
It is linked to an absolute or relative insufficiency of insulin production by the pancreas.
What is the role of insulin?
Insulin is a hormone secreted by a few cells of the pancreas: the ß (beta) cells within the islets of Langerhans. Its role is essential within the body because it is responsible for maintaining the balance of the level of glucose in the blood.Thus, when the blood glucose level is too high (after a meal, for example), the insulin secreted in greater quantities "gives the order" to the muscle, fat and liver cells to capture the glucose in order to store it in the form of glycogen or fat for later use. It also lowers the concentration of glucose in the blood. For this reason, insulin is said to be a hypoglycemic hormone.
Causes of diabetes mellitus in dogs
In dogs as in humans, there are several types of diabetes mellitus whose origins vary:
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in dogs is also called type 1 diabetes or primary diabetes.
This type of diabetes can be linked to:
- an absence of hereditary development of pancreatic ß cells and therefore an absolute deficiency in insulin secretion.The disease then affects dogs under one year old so that we speak of juvenile diabetes. The Golden Retriever and the Spitz would be predisposed to it,
- destruction of pancreatic ß cells secondary to:
- chronic pancreatitis or the presence of antibodies directed against these same cells (autoimmune disease). Some dog breeds are also known to be genetically predisposed to this form of diabetes mellitus, such as the Cairn Terrier, the Samoyed or even the Tibetan Terrier,
- viral infection,
- dog poisoning,
- repeated administration of corticosteroid or progestogen-based drugs, the action of which opposes that of insulin.
Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in dogs is also called type 2 diabetes.It is linked to a relative insufficiency of insulin production. In other words, the dog's pancreas continues to secrete insulin but this secretion becomes insufficient for the dog's body, which has developed a resistance to its effects.
It can be favored by a state of obesity in the dog (we then speak of “fatty” diabetes) or the repeated administration of insulin antagonist drugs. It can also occur temporarily during metestrus (the period following the bitch's heat) or during the bitch's pregnancy.
How does diabetes mellitus manifest in dogs?
In adult dogs, diabetes mellitus may not cause symptoms right away and may go unnoticed for some time. But, in the medium term, it leads to:
- a polyuro-polydipsic syndrome: the dog then feels the need to drink and urinate more,
- polyphagia: the dog feels excessive hunger,
- a variation in the dog's weight status: the animal begins to lose weight or gain weight.
In the longer term, other consequences of diabetes mellitus may appear as:
- a cataract affecting both eyes which is manifested by the appearance of a whitish and opaque reflection of the dog's pupils,
- a tendency to repeated urinary, pulmonary or genital infections,
- a delay in wound healing,
- onset of kidney failure or heart failure,
- the appearance of plantigradia (the dog then no longer walks on its fingers but on its entire foot) which reflects the presence of diabetic neuropathy.
Complications of diabetes in dogs
When diabetes mellitus is untreated or poorly controlled in dogs, two major complications can occur:
Diabetic ketoacidosis
A diabetic ketoacidosis occurs in case of hyperglycemia associated with the presence of ketone bodies in the blood. These ketone bodies are substances resulting from the breakdown of fats, used by the dog's body as fuel instead of glucose, which cannot enter the cells to be used as such, due to a lack of insulin.
When the concentration of ketone bodies increases, this has the effect of acidifying the blood, which is toxic for the whole organism and results in:
- a state of dehydration in the dog,
- nausea and vomiting,
- a fruity breath,
- a deep and rapid breath,
- an animal dejection.
The state of hyperosmolar hyperglycemia
The state of hyperosmolar hyperglycemia is characterized by hyperglycemia associated with a state of severe dehydration in the dog, which may lead to an alteration in the dog's state of consciousness, seizures or even a coma.
Note
These two situations require emergency veterinary intervention, as they can lead to serious consequences, such as a coma or the death of the diabetic animal if they are not taken care of in time.
How is diabetes mellitus diagnosed in dogs?
When the veterinarian suspects the presence of diabetes mellitus in the dog, he will use blood and urine tests. Fasting hyperglycemia (increased blood glucose level) coupled with glycosuria (presence of glucose in the urine) and a high level of glycated proteins in the blood (blood fructosamine) then make it possible to diagnose diabetes mellitus.
Depending on the case, additional blood and urine tests and other examinations may be necessary in order to characterize the type of diabetes, identify the pathology which is at the origin and the presence of any complications. .
How to treat diabetes mellitus in dogs?
Whether the dog suffers from insulin-dependent or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, the treatment of the diabetic dog will be based mainly on insulin therapy and the implementation of lifestyle and dietary measures.
Insulin therapy
The effectiveness of oral hypoglycemic drugs being very limited in dogs, the latter will always require insulin therapy, that is to say daily injections of insulin subcutaneously, and this regardless of or the type of diabetes he suffers from.
There are several types of insulin with varying durations of action that the veterinarian will adapt to the dog. Several insulins are available in injection pens, which makes injection much easier for the pet owner. The number of injections per day will also be determined by the veterinarian.
During the implementation of the treatment, the adjustment of the insulin dose by the veterinarian may also require hospitalization of the dog for 12 to 24 hours during which the dog's blood sugar will be monitored.
The natural treatment for diabetes
During diabetes mellitus, insulin injections are essential and absolutely cannot be replaced by any natural homeopathic or phytotherapeutic treatment. However, there are hypoglycaemic plants that can naturally potentiate the effectiveness of insulin therapy such as olive, carob, burdock, ginseng, fenugreek or walnut. They can be combined with plants that protect and detoxify the liver such as Milk Thistle, Desmodium or Turmeric and with plants that promote blood microcirculation, particularly in the pancreas, such as Ginko Biloba. But beware, these plants have contraindications and can create interactions with your dog's current treatment. It is therefore formally inadvisable to use them in self-medication. Always seek advice from a specialized veterinarian: only he can develop the synergy of plants adapted to the particular case of your diabetic animal.
Adapted diet and physical activity
The diabetic dog's diet should also be adapted according to the advice of the veterinarian.
It should be:
- devoid of fast-absorbing simple sugars and as little starch as possible,
- limited fat,
- high in protein and fibre.
Obese animals should lose weight using an appropriate diet, prescribed and monitored by a veterinarian.
Also read: How to feed a diabetic dog?It is also recommended to have a diabetic dog practice regular physical exercise in order to stimulate his metabolism and "boost" the effects of insulin on his body. It can simply take the form of a nice daily walk.
The follow-up of the diabetic dog
A diabetic dog should be closely monitored by a veterinarian.
Control visits (generally every 6 months or closer depending on the dog's condition) are indeed necessary to check that the treatment put in place allows the dog's blood sugar to be properly regulated. Failing this, the veterinarian may adapt the treatment or look for the causes of the ineffectiveness of the treatment among:
- the development of insulin resistance in dogs secondary to hypercorticism, infection of the oral or genitourinary cavity, hypothyroidism, renal failure, hepatic or pancreatic failure, heart failure, tumor pancreatic ,
- poor compliance with drug and/or food treatment by dog owners,
- the use of insulin that has passed its expiry date or that has been poorly stored,
- etc.
In order to more easily balance the blood sugar in the bitch, the veterinarian can also advise her sterilization so that her blood glucose level is no longer influenced by the hormonal variations of her sexual cycle.