AskVCA: Does My Dog Have Diabetes?

Cataracts in Dogs

Inside the eye is a lens that focuses light on the back of the eye, or retina. Vision occurs at the retina. The structure of the eye is similar to a camera, which has a lens to focus light on the film. A cloudy or opaque lens is called a cataract.

Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs - Overview

Diabetes is an inability of the body to regulate blood sugar often caused by an abnormality of the pancreas. It causes increased thirst, urination, appetite, and weight loss. Most dogs have type 1 diabetes caused by total or near destruction of the insulin producing cells and so insulin injections are required for treatment. Diabetes is diagnosed by detecting increased levels of glucose in the urine and blood. Diabetes treatment includes insulin injections and dietary manipulation with regular blood sugar monitoring. Financial costs can be high during the regulation period or if a complication arises and twice daily insulin injections are a lifelong commitment. If dogs receive too much insulin, they can become hypoglycemic resulting in weakness, coma, or even death.

Diabetes Mellitus - Principles of Treatment in Dogs

Diabetes mellitus is caused by the failure of the pancreas to regulate blood sugar. In dogs, diabetes mellitus is usually insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (also called Type 1 diabetes). As the name implies, dogs with this type of diabetes require insulin injections to stabilize blood sugar levels.