Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus in dogs

Dog owners may suspect diabetes, or diabetes mellitus, when their four-legged companion begins drinking and urinating more than usual. Diabetes is a moderately common canine disease, especially in older dogs. The animal may lose weight, and more advanced cases can quickly lead to cataracts or even blindness. Unlike in cats, development of canine diabetes is typically influenced by hereditary factors or primary inflammatory pancreatic disorders rather than lifestyle.

Insulin is an essential hormone in sugar metabolism. It helps transfer glucose from the blood to cells as a source of energy. The pancreas produces insulin, and in diabetes, the amount of insulin in the blood is reduced, resulting in excessive levels of glucose in the bloodstream. In such cases, the levels of glucose in the blood exceed the urinary reabsorption threshold, and glucose begins appearing in the urine. The clinical signs of diabetes mellitus are related to elevated concentrations of blood glucose and the inability of the body to use glucose as a source of energy.

There are two main types of diabetes, and in dogs the most common form is known as type 1. Here, absolute insulin production in the pancreas is reduced or depleted as insulin-producing beta cells in the organ are destroyed by inflammation. While genetic predisposition is thought to be a major risk factor, medications or pancreatitis can also contribute to onset.In so-called type 2 diabetes (sometimes also referred to as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus), which is less common in dogs than it is in humans and cats, there is insulin in the body, but either there is not enough of it, or it is insufficiently effective. Also in type 2 diabetes, the liver releases too much glucose into the bloodstream, and the cells have difficulty absorbing it. While being overweight is a factor in insulin resistance, it is not typically a direct cause of diabetes in dogs. Nonetheless, weight management is very important in any instance of sugar metabolism disorder.

Type 3 diabetes (sometimes called glucose resistance) can occur in relation to another primary illness, such as Cushing’s disease or acromegaly, or be associated with hormonal disturbances arising from pregnancy or false pregnancy, medication with certain drugs, such as corticosteroids and progestogens, or an oncological disease.

Diagnosis and treatment of diabetes

When diabetes is suspected in a dog, blood and urine samples are taken. A diagnosis is often confirmed by general symptoms, but the urine sample will show if there are abnormally high levels of glucose in the urine that the body is trying to remove. The urine may also contain so-called ketones, which are produced when the body tries to use fats instead of sugars as a source of energy. In diabetes, the body cannot use the sugar in the blood as an energy source efficiently enough, so it compensates by burning fatty acids for energy. Glucose excreted in the urine due to diabetes may also cause urinary tract infections.

Elevated blood glucose is an indicator of diabetes. The blood sample shows the current situation and the amount of fructosamine (glycosylated haemoglobin) in the blood, which is particularly useful in assessing the therapeutic balance of diabetes. When diabetes is diagnosed, it is necessary to rule out treatable primary disorders that can cause resistance to insulin or decreased production of insulin, such as Cushing’s disease, acromegaly, pancreatitis, hormonal treatment, or an oncological disease. When diabetes mellitus occurs in an intact female dog, sterilisation is recommended because the production of progesterone associated with oestrus or pregnancy typically results in instability of the condition and treatment.

Insulin medication is key to the successful management of primary diabetes mellitus. Because the disease is incurable, treatment is lifelong, but with insulin medication and the right diet, dogs can live full and happy lives. Unlike humans, it is not necessary to measure a dog’s blood sugar levels on a daily basis. It is, however, essential that treatment minimizes clinical symptoms and ensures that the dog eats well and maintains a healthy weight and balanced drinking and urination. Insulin injections are usually given to the dog twice a day in an appropriate dose determined by the veterinarian. Because the canine body adapts to insulin treatment more slowly than the human body, the dose must not be altered.

Untreated or unbalanced diabetes can cause hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia. In hypoglycaemia, blood sugar levels drop too low. The condition occurs, for example, when the insulin dose is too high in relation to a dose of food eaten by the dog. If left untreated, hypoglycaemia can lead to unconsciousness or insulin shock. First aid in hypoglycaemia can be administered by applying a sugar solution or honey to the gums, but it is important to take the dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible to assess the need for intravenous glucose dosing. A dog may also develop hypoglycaemia if it has had access to sweets containing xylitol.

Hyperglycaemia, on the other hand, is characterized by dangerously high blood sugar levels. Hyperglycaemia may not be as serious as hypoglycaemia, but if it persists for a long time, it can cause a type of poisoning called ketoacidosis. In hyperglycaemia, the body is unable to utilize blood sugar for energy, so it begins using body fat instead. The concentration of ketones in the blood increases, leading to metabolic acidosis and an upset of the electrolyte balance. The most common symptoms are increased drinking and urination, apathy, loss of appetite, and severe dehydration. Also in ketoacidosis, the dog’s breath may begin to smell sweet. Ketoacidosis is a life-threatening condition and usually requires hospitalization, during which the dog is hydrated, the electrolyte balance is corrected, and insulin is administered to lower the dangerously high blood sugar levels.

An essential part of diabetes treatment is proper exercise and diet. The dog should get exercise several times a day as opposed to a single long run; however, excessive exercise should be avoided. An overweight dog should lose weight, since being overweight may increase the risk of insulin resistance. Because the goal is to keep blood sugar levels as even as possible throughout the day, feeding should be regular and comprise of multiple smaller meals per day rather than one large meal. When on a special diet, a dog with diabetes should not be given any sweet or fatty treats. The diet should be low in fat and high in protein and should also contain plenty of insoluble fibre, which slows the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream. A dog with diabetes also requires a diet with a low glycaemic index, and its lifestyle must be balanced and stable with regular monitoring by a veterinarian.

Brit VD Diabetes

Brit VD Diabetes veterinary diet is designed to support the treatment of diabetes and equalize postprandial blood sugar. The protein source in Brit VD Diabetes is turkey, which is easily digestible and provides sufficient amounts of amino acids to maintain muscle mass and overall condition. Because diabetes has a negative effect on the metabolism of fat, the food has a fat content of only 12%, which reduces the risk of toxic ketones forming as a result of the body using fat for energy instead of sugar.

The source of carbohydrates in Brit VD Diabetes is yellow pea, which has an excellent ratio of both soluble and insoluble fibre. Yellow pea has a low glycaemic index and is also an excellent source of protein. Brit VD Diabetes is a gluten-free diet that can reduce the risk of food hypersensitivity to gluten. The amino acid L-carnitine and taurine are added to the food to assist fat metabolism and maintain muscle condition. The taurine improves insulin sensitivity and may also reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy, cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), nephropathy (kidney disease), and neuropathy.

The low content of fat in Brit VD food helps with weight management. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have been added as articular cartilage building blocks and chondroprotectives to support mobility in overweight dogs. Selenium and vitamins C and E are added to Brit VD Diabetes as antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress. The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA affect fat metabolism and can promote long-term glucose balance, while the live probiotic E. faecium promotes healthy bacterial gut flora.

The Brit VD Diabetes diet can also be given to dogs with chronic colitis. The colon is the last part of the intestine, and its function is to retain water from the faecal mass. In chronic colitis, the dog often defecates small amounts of mucous and bloody diarrhoea resulting from inflammation in the gut. A therapeutic diet, especially one with live E. faecium, promotes intestinal integrity. A dog with chronic colitis should have a diet rich in fibre and easily digestible protein.