Diabetes Insipidus

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

There are two forms of diabetes in dogs, diabetes insipidus or water diabetes, and diabetes mellitus which is sugar diabetes.

Diabetes insipidus, or drinking diabetes, is a relatively rare condition in dogs, diagnosed after extensiveblood and urine tests.

My dog drinks and urinates a lot but is otherwise well.  What else could this be?

Polydipsia and polyuria (increased thirst and increased urine production), can be signs of both diabetes insiupidus and diabetes mellitus other conditions such as certain kidney and liver problems can also be responsible.  It is for this reason that laboratory tests on blood and urine samples are carried out before a definite diagnosis is made.

What causes the condition?

One of the functions of the kidneys is to maintain the water balance of the body by reabsorbing fluid as necessary.

Efficient resorption of water requires adequate levels of a hormone known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH) 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, diabetes insipidus can occur.

Can the condition be cured?

Diabetes insipidus can not be cured but can sometimes be successfully controlled by administering antidiuretic hormone either by injection or in the form of drops as long as the kidney is sensitive to the hormone’s effects.