1 Diabetes mellitus is a common disorder in middle-aged and older dogs and is a complex disorder of carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism. It is a consequence of either an … … absolute or a relative deficiency of insulin, or peripheral cell insensitivity to insulin. Insulin is synthesized and released from beta cells in the pancreatic islets. Insulin assists with cellular uptake of glucose from the bloodstream, thus exerting a hypoglycemic effect. Within cells, insulin promotes anabolism (such as synthesis of

Primary Diabetes Mellitus By the time diabetes mellitus is clinically recognized in dogs, they virtually all have Type 1 or insulin-dependent disease. This is characterized by beta cell destruction (often due to autoimmune destruction of the islets of Langerhans) and hypoinsulinemia. Insulin secretagogues, such as glucose or glucagon, fail to stimulate endogenous insulin production and there is an absolute requirement for exogenous insulin injections to control blood glucose levels. Secondary Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes mellitus can be secondary to severe inflammation or neoplasia of exocrine pancreatic tissue, which leads to loss of islet function. In these cases, diabetes is also complicated by exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Diabetes mellitus can also occur when there is either overproduction of counteracting hormones or insulin resistance. Excessive growth hormone production can be seen in intact, cycling bitches. Progesterone produced during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle induces the production of growth hormone by themammary gland, which counteracts the actionof insulin. Dogs with hyperadrenocorticism produce excessive amounts of glucocorticosteroids that stimulate gluconeogenesis and lead to an increase in the plasma glucose concentration. This stimulates insulin synthesis, which eventually results in exhaustion of the islets of Langerhans. Only about10 percent of canine Cushing’s syndrome cases are complicated by diabetes mellitus. ….. Body weight is a major factor in diet selections. Obese dogs require reduced caloric intake, either through feeding a calorie-restricted diet or by feeding a reduced quantity of the normal diet. Increasing physical activity will also be beneficial in obese dogs. On the contrary, underweight dogs may require calorie-rich diets such as pediatric or convalescent diets. Another important consideration is the presence of concurrent disease, for example, renal failure or pancreatitis. It may be that the dietary management for these associated problems is more critical than a specific “diabetic” diet. Dogs tend to gobble their food.

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