Golden retriever licking his lips looking at three plates of food. Golden retriever licking his lips looking at three plates of food.

Diabetes in Dogs

Detection & Diagnosis

Attention to Details

No one knows your dog better than you do. Diabetes can cause visible changes in your dog’s behavior and health. It is important that your dog be thoroughly examined by a veterinarian at least once a year. For dogs as risk, more frequent visits may be advised.

Signs of Canine Diabetes

Knowing the signs of diabetes is the first step in protecting your dog’s health. If any of these signs apply to your pet, bring your dog to your veterinarian for a checkup:

Blue and green icon of a dog next to a urine puddle

Urinates frequently or large amounts

Blue and green dog water bowl icon.

Drinks a lot of water

Blue and green dog food icon with paw print.

Always hungry

Blue and green weight scale icon with paw print.

Weight loss

Blue and green icon eye icon for cloudy eyes in dogs.

Cloudy eyes

Blue and green sleepy dog icon.

Sleeps more or is less active

“I was going out to pee a lot. I didn’t think it was a big deal, but Sugar told me to go the vet – best decision ever!”

-SPIKE

Animated character Spike sitting.

A Visit to Your Veterinarian

If your dog shows signs of diabetes, your veterinarian will ask about them, and check your dog’s general health to rule out the possibility of other conditions or infections.

Your veterinarian will first test your dog for the presence of glucose and ketones in the urine. If indicated, the next step is to measure your dog’s blood glucose concentration. The diagnosis only becomes definite when glucose is found both in the urine and at a high level in the blood.



Further Reading

Golden retriever and cat laying next to each other. Golden retriever and cat laying next to each other.

Talk to Your Vet Today

Find a veterinarian to learn more about pet diabetes, and how cats and dogs can lead a happy, healthy life with proper management.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: 

VETSULIN® and VETPEN® are for use in animals only. Dogs and cats known to have an allergy to pork or pork products should not be treated with VETSULIN®. VETSULIN® is contraindicated during periods of hypoglycemia. Animals with severe ketoacidosis, anorexia, lethargy, and/or vomiting should be stabilized with short-acting insulin and appropriate supportive therapy before use. As with all insulin products, careful patient monitoring for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia is essential. Overdosage can result in profound hypoglycemia and death. Progestogen and glucocorticoid use should be avoided. The safety and effectiveness of VETSULIN® in puppies, kittens, breeding, pregnant, and lactating dogs and cats has not been evaluated. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Accidental injection may cause clinical hypoglycemia. In case of accidental injection, seek medical attention immediately. Exposure to the product may induce a local or systemic allergic reaction in sensitized individuals. For complete safety information, refer to the product label.