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DIABETES INSIPIDUS

What is Diabetes Insipidus?

There are two forms of diabetes in dogs, diabetes insipidus (drinking diabetes) and diabetes mellis (sugar diabetes)

Diabetes is a general term referring to a variety of disorders characterised by an increased thirst and an increased production of weak urine.

Diabetes insipidus, drinking diabetes, is a fairly rare form and is only definitely diagnosed after fairly careful blood and urine tests.  

Because my dog is drinking and urinating a lot does it seem likely that it is drinking diabetes?

There are may causes of increased thirst, polydipsia and  increased urine production, polyuria, sugar diabetes and certain kidney problems being among them. It is for this reason that it is essential that careful diagnosis involving several tests is carried out before the condition is finally established.

What causes the condition?

Part of the job of the kidneys is to continually filter water from the blood that passes through them and re-establish the water balance of the body by reabsorbing fluid as necessary.

Efficient reabsorption requires an adequate level of an hormone known as ADH or antidiuretic hormone which is produced by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland in the brain.  If this hormone is not produced in sufficient quantities or alternatively if the kidney becomes insensitive to it, drinking diabetes can occur.

Can the condition be cured?

Like sugar diabetes, drinking diabetes can sometimes be successfully controlled by administering antidiuretic hormone either by injection or in the form of nasal drops.