What is Canine Diabetes?

Canine Diabetes is a common canine disorder that affects the ability of the animal to properly absorb blood sugar into the cells.  It is a malfunctioning of the pancreas and the endocrine system.  The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and regulates the release of the insulin hormone.  The pancreas is normally supposed to release insulin into the bloodstream to regulate the uptake of blood sugar (glucose) into the cells so it can be properly used for energy.  In canine diabetes this functioning is impaired. 

Canine diabetes mellitus affects about 1 in 400 dogs.  It is the most common type found in canines is the acquired, insulin-dependent Type II diabetes mellitus.  This disease is also known as IDDM.  It is a canine disease that is similar to adult-onset diabetes in humans.

There is one other kind of canine diabetes called diabetes insipidus.  This type affects the body’s ability to make enough anti-diuretic hormones (ADH).  This means that the kidneys are not able to respond to the ADH hormones and water regulation is abnormal.  It is rare to find this form of diabetes in canines.