Diabetes mellitus is a disease in dogs that occurs when the body is unable to produce or utilize insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels by allowing glucose to enter cells, where it can be used as fuel. In diabetes mellitus, the pancreas produces too little insulin or the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin.
The most common symptoms of diabetes mellitus in dogs include:
- Urinating more often than usual (polyuria)
- Increased thirst (polydipsia)
- Weight loss despite normal or increased appetite (anorexia)
Other symptoms include increased weight loss without other signs of illness (such as vomiting), lethargy or weakness due to low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), pale gums (called “mucous membranes”), and slow growth rate in puppies. Dogs may also have recurrent infections due to low blood sugar levels (which makes them more susceptible).
Two Types of Diabetes in Dogs
There are two types of diabetes in dogs: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is typically caused by an autoimmune disorder that destroys the ability of the pancreas to make insulin. This type is also called juvenile diabetes because it usually affects younger dogs. Type 2 diabetes occurs when your dog’s body becomes resistant to insulin and doesn’t respond as well as it should.