Canine Diabetes Insipidus: Symptoms and Treatment

Canine diabetes insipidus is a term used to refer to the condition, which is characterized by excessive urination and thirst in dogs, due to their inability to retain or conserve water. To know more about the symptoms and treatment for diabetes insipidus in dogs, read on.

Diabetes insipidus is a condition where the body fails to maintain water balance due to lowered production of the hormone, antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin. This hormone regulates the kidneys' ability to absorb water. It can also occur as a result of the failure of the kidneys to respond to the antidiuretic hormone, released by the pituitary gland. Diabetes insipidus is a rare disease affecting dogs and is quite different from canine diabetes mellitus, which is caused by the deficiency of insulin or insulin resistance that disrupts sugar metabolism.

There are basically two types of diabetes insipidus, viz. central diabetes insipidus and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Central diabetes insipidus refers to the condition of insufficient production of ADH. On the other hand, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus refers to the situation wherein the kidneys do not respond to ADH properly. As a result, dogs urinate frequently and drink more than the normal level of water, as the disease impairs the body's ability to maintain water balance. If the condition remains untreated, it can worsen and lead to dehydration, which in turn can cause stupor, coma and even death. The disease can affect any dog irrespective of age, sex and breed.

Causes of Canine Diabetes Insipidus

Canine diabetes insipidus can be a genetic disease, that passes from one generation to another. Central diabetes insipidus can also be caused due to a tumor in the brain or pituitary gland. Besides these, any kind of trauma, usually to the head can impair normal production of ADH and hence, can lead to diabetes insipidus. Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus can be caused by metabolic disorders and certain drugs. In many instances, canine diabetes insipidus is idiopathic, i.e. some unknown factors are responsible for causing the disease.

Symptoms of Canine Diabetes Insipidus

The most common symptom of canine diabetes insipidus is frequent urination with discharge of dilute and clear urine and excessive drinking of water. Sometimes, dehydration may occur due to excessive urination and inability to conserve water. Disorientation and seizures have also been observed in dogs with diabetes insipidus. Marked loss in weight can be another symptom of diabetes insipidus.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The diagnosis of diabetes insipidus may include physical examination, urine and blood examination, X- ray and ultrasound. Sometimes CT scan, thyroid hormone test and test of the adrenal gland are also performed to ensure proper diagnosis of the disease. These diagnostic tests help in ruling out certain other health problems of dogs, such as hyperadrenocorticism or Cushing's disease, diabetes mellitus, renal failure and liver disease that can cause symptoms similar to diabetes insipidus.

The treatment of canine diabetes insipidus depends on whether it is central diabetes insipidus or nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Central diabetes insipidus is treated with desmopression, a drug that accomplishes the functions of ADH. Desmopressin is available as DDAVP, which can be found as tablets, injectable liquid, nasal spray and as liquid that is to be used in rhinal tube. On the other hand, thiazide diuretics is used for the treatment of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. As for example, a drug known as chlorothiazide helps the kidneys to concentrate the urine. Sometimes, another drug chloropropamide is also used to increase kidneys responsiveness to ADH with limited success.

Canine diabetes insipidus is a permanent condition, i.e. it cannot be cured. However, it can be controlled effectively, if properly diagnosed and treated on time. Therefore, monitor your dog's health closely and look for such symptoms as excess thirst, urination, disorientation or seizures. If such symptoms are observed, immediately consult your veterinarian to detect and treat the disease at the earliest.