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- The word "insipidus" in canine Diabetes Insipidus comes from the Latin word meaning "tasteless." The ilness has nothing to do with taste, however. It refers instead to the dog's diluted urine. DI is not a sugar imbalance, as with other types of diabetes; rather, it is a imbalance of antidiuretic hormone, also called ADH. The dog's body either does not recognize the ADH that it is producing or it doesn't produce enough.
This imbalance results in the dog's urine being very diluted instead of concentrated. The dog will drink an unusual amount of water to compensate for the frequent urination that occurs because of DI. This may lead to a dog suddenly urinating in the house when previously it was housebroken. Frustrated owners who do not realize there is a health issue involved may get angry at their dog and scold it--or, worse yet, send it to a shelter--instead of seeking treatment. If properly diagnosed, dog owners will learn that DI is rare and cannot be cured, but with proper treatment their dog may have a good prognosis depending on what caused the disease to occur. - In humans there are four types of Diabetes Insipidus. In dogs, two types exist. Any dog can get either form of DI regardless of age, breed or gender.
Central Diabetes Insipidus is when a dog's pituitary gland produces insufficient amounts of antidiuretic hormone. This type may be caused by a head injury or by a congenital defect, a tumor on the pituitary gland that affects its function, brain cancer or other causes that may not be known.
The second type of DI is called Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus. In this case, the pituitary gland produces plenty of ADH, but the kidneys do not recognize it. The cause of this type of DI can also be a congenital defect. It may also be caused by a metabolic disorder or even some medications. - The most obvious symptoms of canine Diabetes Insipidus is drinking excessive amounts of water, also called polydipsia, and excessive urination (called polyuria). Sometimes these signs are not evident right away. If a dog with DI has a constant supply of water and easy access to the outdoors, it is possible that its owners won't notice these behaviors for quite some time.
On the other hand, dogs that are indoors most of the time are likely to begin urinating in the house. If a dog with DI does not get enough water, it may go into a coma and die within a few hours. This can even occur if a dog only goes through the night without access to water. - To diagnose DI, a veterinarian will rule out other illnesses such as Cushing's disease, uterine infection and liver disease. He will also the dog's pituitary gland for a tumor. If there is, he will likely suspect DI due to a shortage of ADH.
The veterinarian will also want to run some tests. One test may be a water deprivation test (under careful supervision). The dog may also be given a medication that is commonly used to treat DI, called DDAVP. If the dog is able to produce concentrated urine after being given the drug, the vet will likely suspect DI is the problem. - Treatment depends on the severity of the disease, as well as what the doctor and dog owner feel they can handle and afford. In some cases, there is no treatment. The dog is simply allowed an unlimited supply of water and is allowed to go outside freely as needed. If this is the treatment decision, water must be available at all time, including during the night.
Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus may be treated with drugs called thiazide diuretics, which are used to concentrate the dog's urine. Another medication that helps the kidneys concentrate urine is called chlorothiazide. Chloropropamide may also be prescribed, but it isn't always effective.
Treatment for Central Diabetes Insipidus includes DDAVP, also know as desmopressin. It mimics ADH in the dog's body and can be given as nose drops, eye drops, as a tablet or as an injection. This medication can be expensive but it is very effective and can provide a dog with a better quality of life.
The Facts
Types
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
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