Diabetes Insipidus In Dogs: Causes, Prevention Measures, Treatments, And Life Expectancy
Diabetes insipidus, or water diabetes, is a rare disorder in humans, but it’s even rarer in dogs. Even though it’s uncommon, it should still be a cause of concern for dog owners because the unfortunate truth is it can occur in their furry friend.
Knowing what causes it and how to prevent it can protect your dog from developing this uncomfortable and debilitating condition. If they already have it, recognizing the signs and getting proper treatment from a licensed veterinarian are your crucial next steps.
What Is Diabetes Insipidus?
It may surprise you to learn that diabetes insipidus has nothing to do with traditional diabetes. Whereas the latter is a condition in which the body (human or canine) doesn’t produce enough insulin to process glucose, the former is a disorder where the body produces too much urine.
The occurrence of diabetes insipidus in a dog is an indicator of one of two basic underlying conditions in the body.
The pituitary gland at the base of the brain is not producing enough of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) called vasopressin, which aids in liquid reabsorption.
The kidneys are resistant to ADH and therefore don’t process it.
Vasopressin’s job is to regulate the concentration of particles, especially salt, in the blood by balancing it out with reabsorbed water. When the pituitary gland doesn’t produce vasopressin, or when the kidneys don’t respond to it, the body produces an excessive amount of urine.
What Are The Symptoms Of Diabetes Insipidus In Dogs?
The two most common symptoms of diabetes insipidus in dogs are heavy thirst and frequent urination.
Your dog may drink so much water and produce so much urine that they’re unable to hold it long enough to go outside. Despite all the water they drink, they will constantly go back to their bowl for more. This is because they urinate every bit of liquid that they take in without absorbing it. As a result, they may become dehydrated and fatigued.
If not treated, the dehydration caused by diabetes insipidus could lead to more serious problems, such as a coma and even death.
Meanwhile, the fatigue will cause your dog to lose their energy and vitality. They won’t play as much and not have any get-up-and-go, even when they’re offered a treat or a walk to excite them.
It’s important for you not to jump to the conclusion that your dog has become lazy suddenly after being active previously. In many cases, their tired state is the result of an underlying health issue. When combined with an increase in thirst and frequent peeing, the issue could be diabetes insipidus.
What Causes Diabetes Insipidus In Dogs?
Diabetes insipidus may manifest in your furry friend if they have a birth defect or a tumor in their pituitary gland or kidneys; experienced trauma to either of those areas; or suffer from advanced kidney disease or an infection. It may also occur without any apparent reason.
This disorder is frustrating as much as for the discomfort it brings to our pets as for its mysterious origins. It may not be immediately obvious why your dog develops diabetes insipidus. Even worse, you may never find out what caused it. The only thing you can do is be patient with your dog and take them to the vet for the treatments they need to live a better life.
How Is It Diagnosed?
If a dog exhibits signs of diabetes insipidus, their vet will try to root out all other causes. They may also perform certain tests to determine the current health status of the dog’s kidneys and liver, and order a blood count, blood panel, and urinalysis. CT scans are in order if your vet determines there may be a tumor on the pituitary gland.
By piecing the results of all this testing together, your vet should be able to determine if the dog does, indeed, suffer from diabetes insipidus. From there, they can recommend treatment options.
The downside to diagnosing diabetes insipidus is the high vet bills that rack up due to all the testing. But it will all be worth it in the end if you can relieve your dog’s suffering and help them live a happy, pain-free life.
How Can You Prevent Diabetes Insipidus From Affecting Your Dog?
Because diabetes insipidus is so rare, and the causes just as uncommon, there is not much you can do to prevent it from developing in your canine. However, there are small everyday actions you can take to ensure it leads a happy, healthy life, which is crucial for avoiding traumas and injuries that could lead to disorders.
Take your dog to the vet once a year if they’re young, and every six months if they’re a senior. Keeping up with their regular checkups and shots could help you catch diabetes insipidus (or any other serious condition or illness) before it gets out of control.
Feed them a balanced diet appropriate for their age, weight, and level of activity. Overfed dogs turn into overweight dogs, which experience increased health problems and strain on their internal organs, including their kidneys.
Make sure they always have water in their water bowl so that they stay hydrated.
Play with them regularly and ensure they get plenty of exercise and fresh air.
An additional action every dog owner should take is to observe your dog and be aware of their behaviors. You may have thought that their excessive water drinking was just a funny quirk, but it could also be a sign of diabetes insipidus. Ask your veterinarian about any strange or abnormal things your dog is doing.
How Do You Treat Your Dog If They Have Diabetes Insipidus?
If your dog has diabetes insipidus, their vet will recommend a treatment based on the cause of the disorder.
Dogs who aren’t producing enough ADH are usually treated with a medication called desmopressin (a synthesized version of the original hormone) in the form of eye drops or an injection beneath the skin.
Dogs whose kidneys aren’t processing ADH need a different type of therapy. The vet will try to treat whatever is causing the kidneys to malfunction first, but they may also recommend a low-salt diet and water pills to manually regulate the dog’s salt-water balance.
These treatments can be expensive, and you may have to make some tough decisions if your budget simply can’t afford them. It is possible for your dog to continue living with diabetes insipidus by just providing them with plenty of water.
If the at-home treatment is the route you need to take for financial reasons, just be aware that you will have to let your dog outside often throughout the day – and night- so they can empty their bladder. Consider installing a dog door leading out to the backyard so they have easy access to the outdoors when they feel the urge to pee. You may also find that laying out piddle pads to catch your dog’s indoor accidents makes keeping up with their messes easier.
What Is The Life Expectancy For A Dog With Diabetes Insipidus?
The life expectancy of your dog with diabetes insipidus depends on the underlying issue that is causing the disorder in the first place. For example, if your dog has a brain tumor, kidney failure, or another life-threatening condition, then that more than anything is likely to shorten their lifespan.
On the other hand, if there is no underlying cause or if that cause is successfully treated, there is no reason your dog can’t live a healthy, normal number of years. The key to ensuring this happy fate to make sure they receive the proper treatments so they can cope with their frequent urges to drink water and urinate.
Can Dogs With Diabetes Insipidus Be Cured?
According to VCA, the only time diabetes insipidus in dogs can be cured is if the disorder is the result of a traumatic injury. Otherwise, you should expect to continue regularly administering medication to your dog to help them manage their symptoms for the remainder of their life.
Conclusion: Diabetes Insipidus In Dogs Is Rare Yet Treatable
A diagnosis of diabetes insipidus in your dog is scary, but it also won’t necessarily shorten your dog’s lifespan. It also doesn’t mean that their symptoms are irreversible. With the proper treatments, love, and care, they will continue to bless your life with their presence for years to come. The best part of all is they can feel good along the way as if nothing is wrong.
If your dog is exhibiting any symptoms of diabetes insipidus, make an appointment with your vet right away.
