Dog Diabetes Insipidus

Dog Diabetes Insipidus

Diabetes insipidus is a rare disease, diabetes insipidus, is a problem caused by injury, inflammation of the brain, cancer, or unknown factors, almost invariably involving the pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the brain. It is usually caused by a tumor. A hormone that controls the kidneys’ ability to concentrate urine is reduced, resulting in a tremendous thirst and urination. A small dog may drink a gallon of water a day.

A hormone is available and when injected into an affected dog its thirst intake and urine output return temporarily to normal. These injections are usually given at home every forty-eight hours. When this diabetes is caused by a tumor the dog usually dies but when caused by injury, complete recovery is not unusual.

Information on Dog Diabetes insipidus

• The condition of diabetes insipidus causes the inability of the animal to conserve water. A pet suffering from diabetes insipidus must have a regular supply of water as it might get dehydrated and die if it does not get ample water to drink.
• The cause of diabetes insipidus is different from the cause of ordinary sugar diabetes.
• Two main types of problems may arise due to the occurrence of diabetes insipidus. One problem is associated with central or CDI affecting the brain and the other is Nephrogenic or the formation of a disorder in the kidney.
• The cause of diabetes insipidus can be related to genetic disorders and the disease can be passed from one generation to another. The presence of trauma especially in the head and other idiopathic or undiscovered causes.
• In case of the presence of the disease in a young offspring right from the time of birth, the disease is generally due to a congenital condition.
• The dog would be seen frequently urinating along with severe feelings of thirst for drinking water.
• You may try to detect the incidence of the disease in your dog by measuring the amount of water intake by your dog. Though the daily intake of water varies from one breed of dog to another an average size diabetic dog would be consuming more than 90 mL/kg. 90 mL/kg means 1.38 oz and an average weighted dog of around 23 kg is not expected to consume more than the specified amount of water.
• The dogs are also diagnosed to be having a low specific gravity of less than 1.012 and sometimes even less than 1.008.
• The dog would also be seen to be losing weight rapidly, and appear to be dehydrated with dry and scruffy fur. A diabetic dog might even be spotted breaking away from the litter of a training camp or his companions.

The disease is very uncommon and rarely occurs in dogs. If diagnosed it is quite difficult for the vet physician to conserve the water content of the body of the pet. If you find that your dog is suffering from tiredness you may give your dog a break as it would be feeling quite weak after physical exercise.

See more: Dog Discharge