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Identifying Canine Diabetes Insipidus

Dogs > Infections / Disease > Identifying Canine Diabetes Insipidus

Canine diabetes insipidus is a rare disease often referred to as water diabetes. It occurs in two forms. With the first, the dog's pituitary gland doesn't produce enough of a hormone called vasopressine; with the second, the dog's kidney's don't respond to the secreted vasopressine. In either case, the dog's kidneys aren't functioning properly.

Symptoms of Diabetes Insipidus

Increased thirst - Sometimes this symptom is not present even though there is an increase in urination.
Increased urination - The dog's body is having to increase output in order to rid itself of waste products.
Urine will be diluted and clear - Because the dog's kidneys are not going through resorption, waste in the urine is less concentrated.
Normal blood sugars - Unlike canine diabetes mellitus, a dog with diabetes insipidus will not have elevated blood sugars or pass elevated sugars into the urine.

Diagnosing Diabetes Insipidus

Identifying canine diabetes insipidus is more a matter of excluding other possibilities.

Tests are run to exclude Cushing's disease, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, liver disease, pyometra and other disorders.
A sonogram may be given in order to look at the pituitary gland for abnormalities.

Identifying canine diabetes insipidus requires a series of tests in order to rule out other potential problems. Once identified, it can be effectively managed with medication and diet.

also see Canine Diabetic Treatments Beyond Insulin

also see My Canine is Diabetic: Planning Daily Exercise

also see Why Canine Diabetes Symptoms Require Further Testing

also see Diabetes mellitus