Common signs
- Drinking and urinating more
- Weight loss despite a normal or increased appetite
- Reduced energy
- Cataracts or vision change
- Recurrent infections
How diabetes is diagnosed
Persistent hyperglycemia together with glucose in the urine and compatible clinical signs supports the diagnosis. Your veterinarian may also look for urinary infection, pancreatitis, endocrine disease, or other conditions that can affect diabetic control.
Daily management
Most diabetic dogs need insulin injections at consistent times, a stable feeding plan, appropriate body-weight management, and regular monitoring. Home glucose curves or continuous glucose monitoring may be used in selected cases. Insulin doses should never be changed casually without veterinary guidance.
When is it an emergency?
Vomiting, refusal to eat, profound weakness, dehydration, rapid breathing, collapse, or altered consciousness can signal diabetic ketoacidosis or another serious complication. Trembling, disorientation, seizures, or sudden weakness after insulin may indicate hypoglycemia and also require urgent guidance.