Diabetes mellitus in dogs is a lasting shortage of insulin that causes persistent hyperglycemia and glucosuria. Almost every diabetic dog needs insulin for life. Most of what goes wrong (hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis, cataracts) can be predicted, so NAVLE questions on this topic reward knowing the insulins, the monitoring tools and the emergencies in detail.
Key facts
Diabetes mellitus at a glance- Species / system: Dog; endocrine pancreas (beta cells of the islets).
- Cause: Mostly insulin-deficient disease from beta-cell loss (immune-mediated destruction, vacuolar degeneration, pancreatitis). It resembles human type 1 diabetes. Diestrus-associated insulin resistance occurs in intact females.
- Classic presentation: A middle-aged to older dog with polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia and weight loss, often with sudden-onset cataracts.
- Diagnosis: Hyperglycemia (blood glucose 200 mg/dL or more) plus glucosuria with compatible signs. Fructosamine helps rule out stress hyperglycemia.
- Treatment: Insulin for life, usually an intermediate-acting insulin twice daily given after a meal; newer basal insulins may allow once-daily dosing. Sulfonylureas such as glipizide do not work in dogs.
- Not zoonotic or reportable.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 6 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 18 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.