About Diabetes in Dogs
Diabetes mellitus in dogs
Your dog has diabetes mellitus. You are not alone. An estimated 1 in 500 dogs develops diabetes.
What is diabetes mellitus?
Diabetes mellitus (DM) occurs when a dog has low or inadequate levels of insulin, or has an abnormal response to insulin. DM is common in middle-aged and older dogs, especially female dogs, but it is also seen in young dogs of both sexes. Certain breeds of dogs also experience above-average incidences of diabetes.
Breeds that tend to have a predisposition for diabetes mellitus include: Toy Poodles, Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Pomeranians.
Can your dog be cured?
In general, diabetes cannot be cured. However, if you establish a consistent lifestyle for your dog, including treatment with Intervet's insulin Vetsulin® (porcine insulin zinc suspension), your dog will most likely be capable of leading a happy, healthy life.
Understanding insulin
During digestion, your dog's food is broken down into smaller components for use by the body. Carbohydrates are converted into various sugars, including glucose. Glucose is absorbed from the intestines into the blood and provides the body's cells with energy. However, glucose can only enter into most cells if the hormone known as insulin is present. Insulin is produced by specific cells in the pancreas. In diabetic dogs, these cells in the pancreas produce little or no insulin. When this happens, glucose cannot enter into the body's cells and therefore begins to accumulate in the blood, causing the condition known as diabetes mellitus. Simply put, diabetes results from a shortage of insulin.
Insulin fast facts
- Insulin is a hormone that keeps your dog's glucose concentration at a normal level.
- Insulin is produced by certain cells in the pancreas.
- In diabetic animals, these cells produce little or no insulin.
