Canine Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

PathogenesisK Diabetes mellitus is caused by absolute or relative insulin deficiency. K In populations in which female dogs are routinely neutered, the majority of cases have type 1 diabetes mellitus caused by immune destruction of pancreatic β cells. K In approximately 30%, diabetes is due to extensive pancreatic damage from chronic pancreatitis. K In intact bitches, a form analogous to human gestational diabetes can occur during diestrus or pregnancy. K Canine diabetes also occurs in association with corticosteroid therapy, hyperadrenocorticism, or progesterone-induced acromegaly. Classical SignsK Most diabetic dogs are over 5 years of age with the highest prevalence occurring between 8 and 12 years of age. K Intact females are at increased risk, especially if they are also overweight. K Typical signs are polydipsia, polyuria, lethargy, weight loss, polyphagia, poor hair coat, and reduced immunity. DiagnosisK Hyperglycemia (blood glucose concentration >200 mg/dL [ >11 mmol/L]) with glucosuria and consistent clinical signs. TreatmentK The two primary goals of therapy for diabetic dogs are:1. Resolution of all clinical signs. 2.Avoidance of insulin-induced hypoglycemia. K An additional goal is diabetic remission for those dogs with reversible causes of insulin resistance such as diestrus, pregnancy, or progesterone-induced acromegaly. K Lifelong exogenous insulin therapy is usually required unless there is prompt diabetic remission. Clinical Endocrinology of Companion Animals I. PathogenesisA. In dogs, multiple underlying pathological processes result in diabetes and the most common are type 1, other specific types of diabetes, and diestrual. B. In populations in which female dogs are routinely neutered, at least 50% of diabetic dogs have type 1 diabetes based on histological and autoantibody evidence of immune destruction of β cells:1. Clinical and epidemiological factors in dogs closely match those of human patients with the human latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) form of type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is due to absolute insulin deficiency caused by immune destruction of pancreatic b cells.3. Evidence is mounting for a genetic basis for canine diabetes mellitus. 4. The association with the major histocompatibility complex alleles on the dog leukocyte antigen gene strongly suggests that the immune response has a role in pathogenesis. Multiple environmental factors likely initiate b-cell autoimmunity:a. Once begun, β-cell destruction proceeds by common pathogenic pathways. b. A seasonality to the diagnosis of canine diabetes, with the incidence peaking in winter, suggests that environmental influences might have a role in disease progression just prior to diagnosis. C. Diestrual or gestational diabetes:1. Results from a relative insulin deficiency associated with insulin resistance. 2.Diabetes diagnosed in a bitch during either pregnancy or diestrus is comparable to human gestational diabetes.3. The periodic influence of diestrus-associated insulin resistance likely contributes to the increased risk o...

Characteristics of dogs having diabetes mellitus; analysis of data from private Japanese veterinary clinics

“…Also, in our study most dogs (65.1%) were found to have had DM between 5 and 11 years of age. These results confirm findings from a previous study [4], indicating that DM develops over months or years through several pathophysiological stages before dogs are diagnosed as DM dogs.…”

“…Our study also showed that dogs evaluated as underweight or thin have a higher odds ratio of being diagnosed for DM as compared to dogs in the other BCS groups. Weight loss is one of the clinical signs for DM, and therefore DM dogs are likely to become underweight and thin [4]. The results in the present study and those in a previous study [4] imply that the owners are more likely to recognize that their dogs have a disease problem due to the dogs being underweight, thin or suffering weight loss.…”

“…Dogs' health condition was diagnosed by their veterinarians when the serum samples were taken. The diagnosis of DM was determined by the veterinarians on the basis of DM criteria such as polydipsia and polyuria with blood glucose and urine glycosuria [4]. However, the veterinarians did not record separately whether the dogs had insulin deficiency DM or insulin resistance DM.…”

“…Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most frequently diagnosed endocrine diseases in dogs, accounting for 0.32-0.64% of dogs receiving veterinary care in U.K. and U.S.A. [1][2][3]. Dogs with DM have been diagnosed by polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia and weight loss [4]. The cause of canine DM is considered multifactorial, i.e., autoimmune destruction of insulin producing β cells, pancreatitis, chronic hyperglycemia or hormonal disturbances [4].…”

“…Dogs with DM have been diagnosed by polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia and weight loss [4]. The cause of canine DM is considered multifactorial, i.e., autoimmune destruction of insulin producing β cells, pancreatitis, chronic hyperglycemia or hormonal disturbances [4]. Also, middle aged to older dogs and intact female dogs have been associated with dog DM [2].…”