What about Diabetes mellitus in dogs?

Insulin is a hormone that controls the uptake of sugar by tissue and organ cells. Without insulin, the sugar remains in the blood and disrupts the carbohydrate metabolism.

The two most common forms of diabetes mellitus are Types 1 and 2. Type 1 is an auto-immune disease which manifests in an insulin deficiency . The insulin-producing cells located in the pancreas lose their function. Type 2 diabetes develops when both the insulin-producing cells produce insufficient hormone AND the tissue cells do not properly react to insulin – they become insulin resistant.

Diabetes mellitus is not only common in humans (with a rising number of cases), it is also one of the most common metabolic disease s of dogs and cats. About one percent of dogs in Germany suffer from diabetes mellitus.

What causes diabetes mellitus in dogs? Typically, dogs develop symptoms aged seven to nine years old. Most at risk are certain breeds such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Beagles, dachshunds and crossbreeds: and generally female dogs, neutered males and small dogs weighing less than 22 kg.

Type 1 diabetes is the most common type in dogs, contrary to humans and cats for which Type 2 diabetes occurs more frequently. In some dogs, their own immune system attacks insulin producing pancreatic cells. Researchers suppose that there are additional genetic and environmental factors involved such as hormonal disorders, poor diet or obesity . Dogs only rarely develop Type 2 diabetes. This type is strongly linked to obesity in humans and cats. As such, obesity does not seem to have a similar effect on the diabetes risk of dogs.

Other known causes of diabetes in dogs are other diseases, especially those of the pancreas. Also, Cushing syndrome is a metabolic disease which causes the adrenal glands to release too much cortisol, which might cause diabetes mellitus as a concomitant disease . High amounts of cortisone in the form of medication can also cause diabetes mellitus. The hormone progesterone can exacerbate diabetes and worsen the symptoms over the fertility cycles of unneutered female dogs.

How does the disease progress? Typical symptoms are that the dog drinks too much, urinates a lot and loses weight. Since the tissue s suffer from energy deficiency, the dog might be very hungry and eat a lot while still losing weight. The increased urination is due to a high blood sugar level: the body excretes the excess sugar via the kidneys. Therefore, the urine contains a high sugar concentration (sweet urine). Dehydration as a consequence of increased urination caused the dog to drink more to compensate for water shortage.

Other symptoms are bad/slow wound healing, dull fur , vomiting, lack of energy and lens opacity.

Further progression of the disease without treatment might result in more metabolic disorders and organ damage. Eventually, the metabolic disorder might be fatal.

The diagnosis is conducted via blood and urine tests. The glucose and fructosamine levels are determined, and other possible diseases ruled out.

How do veterinarians treat diabetes mellitus in dogs? One method is to substitute the deficient insulin. Dog insulin is identical to porcine insulin so it is common to inject dogs via an insulin pen containing porcine insulin. The veterinarian individually adjusts how much and how often the dog is to receive insulin. Often, the insulin is administered every 12 hours along with the food ration.

If the dose of insulin is too high, the blood sugar level drops too low and the dog might become weak, dizzy and experience convulsive seizure s. In this case, the dog needs to be fed immediately, and in the case of a seizure honey or dextrose can be put into the cheek pouch . A veterinarian must be contacted.

Additionally, it is very important that a dog suffering from diabetes has a healthy weight, receives a regular food ration and has sufficient, regular and moderate physical activity. This helps the muscles to better react to the insulin and lower the blood sugar level.

Female dogs might be neutered to prevent any worsening of symptoms during the fertility cycle.

EXERCISE:

1. One method of treating diabetes mellitus in dogs is to supplement the deficient insulin. A) True B) False

2. Typical symptoms for diabetes mellitus in dogs are: A) Drinks too much B) Urinates a lot C) Loses weight D) Is very hungry E) Has dull fur

3. Typically, dogs become sick aged two to three years old. A) True B) False

You’ll find the answer below.

BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. www.dict.cc 2. www.msd-tiergesundheit.de 3. www.petmd.com 4. www.vet.cornell.edu 5. www.webster-dictionary.org

CARMEN LOBITZ Carmen Lobitz ist freie Trainerin, Lehrerin und MTL. Sie gründete 1998 in Berlin lobitz seminare, die unter anderem Englischseminare für Health Professionals anbieten. Kontakt: mail@lobitz-seminare.de www.lobitz-seminare.de

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Lösung für Exercise:

1. A

2. A–E

3. B

What about Diabetes mellitus in dogs?

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