Causes of Diabetes in Dogs
What causes diabetes in dogs?
Canine diabetes occurs when the beta cells in the pancreas have been destroyed and are not able to secrete the insulin that is needed to metabolize glucose in the blood system – just as happens in humans.
As for why these cells are destroyed – there are numerous potential causes. Some dogs are just predisposed to developing this condition. Unspayed female dogs have an increased risk which is probably due to certain hormones involved in reproduction. The onset of diabetes in dogs usually occurs between the ages of 7 to 9 years of age.
It is believed that some other factors could be steroids or any immune deficiencies which could also do damage to the beta cells. There are also some medical infections or conditions which can stress the pancreas and destroy these cells. Some of these medical problems could be infectious viruses, pancreatic infections as well as Cushing’s disease. Cushing’s disease also known as hyperadrenocorticism is a disease that causes too much glucocorticoid in the system. This is a hormone that is usually released in response to stress but in Cushing’s disease too much is being released in the body. Never the less, not actually having an external cause of any type makes this disease unable to be prevented.
It is also believed that heredity place a roll in a dog developing diabetes especially if the dog’s parents had the disease. This adds to the list of causes the one of genetics.
Diabetes in dogs is quite common; especially in certain breeds. Breeds at highest risk include Poodles, Miniature Schnauzers, Beagles, Dachshunds, Keeshonds, Miniature Pinchers and Carn Terriers. Some of these seem to be a genetic predisposition but others just have an increased potential for the disease.
So what causes canine diabetes? It really could be caused by any of a number of things. But what we do know for certain is that this disease in dogs can not be prevented. Perhaps some day some researcher who is a dog lover will develop a vaccination for diabetes, but at this time that is just a hope for the future.
