Secondary diabetes results from either a primary condition, such as a tumor in the pancreas, or as a side effect of drugs such as steroids. Primary diabetes is most often caused by obesity and is likely to improve or resolve once the dog�s weight is under control.

The clinical symptoms of diabetes are polyuria (excessive urination), polydipsia (excessive water consumption), polyphagia (increased appetite), weight loss, low tolerance for exercise, recurrent infections, and cataracts. If your dog is drinking excessive amounts of water, you should allow him or her to drink all that they can. He or she is simply trying to expel the excess sugar out of their body through the urine in an attempt to combat the high blood glucose level. Most of these symptoms will disappear once the dog's insulin is regulated. Cataracts, opaqueness or cloudiness in the lenses of the eyes, form as a result of uncontrolled or poorly controlled diabetes. Not all diabetic dogs develop cataracts, but most do. Cataracts may begin to form within weeks of diagnosis. Early detection and treatment could allow you to prevent your dog from going blind. Blindness is NOT a death sentence for your dog as most animals adapt well to being blind and can live healthy, happy lives. Unfortunately, no medication exists that can treat or prevent cataracts, but keeping the dog�s diabetes under control can help prevent their development and maturation. However, surgery, which involves lens transplants, is an option.

If your dog exhibits the above symptoms, he or she should be taken to the veterinarian as soon as possible. If diabetes is left untreated, it could cause the formation and development of cataracts, blindness, kidney and liver problems, and even death. Once your dog has been diagnosed, you should do some research and learn as much about the disease as possible. It may take several months to get your dog regulated as each dog�s case is different. The process will require you to try several different types of insulin, amounts, and the number of insulin injections the dog will receive each day. The blood glucose level for dogs without cataracts is between 100 mg/dl and 200 mg/dl and between 100 mg/dl and 250 mg/dl for dogs already blind from cataracts. It is recommended that diabetics be checked by a veterinarian every three months.

If kept refrigerated, insulin is good until the expiration date on the bottle. If kept at room temperature, unopened insulin is good for about one month. To ensure potency, insulin should be refrigerated before its first use. Insulin should be stored in its box to protect it from light, be refrigerated whenever possible, and discarded immediately if it has gotten too hot or frozen. It is also a good idea to have a spare bottle on hand. Before use, the insulin needs to be mixed to evenly disperse the insulin suspension. This should be done by gently rolling the bottle between your hands. Incomplete mixing will accumulate over time, making the remaining solution in the bottle stronger or weaker. NEVER shake the bottle vigorously. This damages the insulin and produces froth and minute air bubbles. The froth results in an uneven balance of insulin particles to solution, which affects the insulin�s potency. The air bubbles take up space in the syringe and thus affect the dosage. Syringes should only be used once to eliminate the possibility of giving your dog an infection . Also, as the needle is used, it becomes dull or bent and this can be painful for the dog. Insulin should be given as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin). The scruff of the neck or any other area where there is a lot of skin is recommended as an injection site. It is important to be consistent in where you give the injection. Insulin should be given twenty minutes after eating. Syringes should be disposed of in accordance to state or community guidelines.

Many veterinarians recommend a diet with a high fiber content. Prescription diets are available from your veterinarian, but some dogs refuse to eat prescription foods or a prescription diet may not be an option for a dog with other health concerns. Soft or semi-moist pet foods should be avoided since they contain a lot of sugar and cause a dramatic rise in blood glucose after a meal. Also, if your dog is overweight, gradual weight loss is VERY important. This will improve the dog�s sensitivity to insulin and help reduce his or her need for it. Rapid weight loss should be avoided. Treats should have no obvious sources of sugar (corn syrup, malt syrup, molasses, cane molasses, cane sugar, fructose, dextrose, or maltose). Complex carbohydrates (whole grains) and meat products should be the main ingredients. Treats should ALWAYS be given in moderation.

Hypoglycemia is caused by low blood glucose and is most likely to happen if the dog is accidentally overdosed with insulin, over-exercised, or misses a meal. The first noticeable sign is hunger, followed by lethargy and sleepiness. If untreated, the dog will begin stumbling and staggering which then progresses into twitching, convulsions, coma, and death. In the event of a hypoglycemic episode in which the dog is still conscious, begin treatment by offering food. If the dog refuses or is unable to eat, glucose MUST be administered orally or by intravenous injection. It is a good idea to have Karo white corn syrup on hand in case of such an emergency. You should pour the syrup into the side of the mouth and allow it to be absorbed. It is not necessary for it to be swallowed. Finally, take your dog to the nearest emergency clinic.

With proper treatment, dogs with diabetes live an average of two to five years after diagnosis. Since diabetes occurs most often in older dogs, this is a fairly normal life span assuming the dog does not develop any other health problems.