What are polydipsia, polyuria, and polyphagia?
You’re likely to encounter these terms as you learn more about your pet’s diabetes. These definitions will help:
What other conditions have the same signs as diabetes?
Dogs with diabetes mellitus drink more water and urinate more than normal. They usually have good or increased appetites, but may be losing or not gaining weight. Other common conditions with these signs include Cushing’s condition (hyperadrenocorticism) and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI).
To diagnose diabetes, your veterinarian will measure your dog’s blood glucose concentration and test your dog’s urine for glucose and ketones.
What is the expected life span for a diabetic dog?
Aggressive treatment of diabetes in dogs is relatively new. While a short life expectancy (2 to 5 years after diagnosis) is usually quoted in textbooks for diabetic dogs, nowadays, if a diabetic dog’s blood glucose concentrations are well-managed and it doesn’t develop other health problems, it should have a normal life expectancy.
Is canine diabetes similar to human diabetes?
Yes, the two conditions (type 1 or insulin-dependent diabetes) are very similar. In fact, your veterinarian will be using medication, equipment, and monitoring systems that are similar to those used for diabetic people. The main difference is that diabetic dogs always require insulin treatment and cannot be treated adequately with human oral hypoglycemic medications.