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Long-term Complications of Canine Diabetes

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Complications

The long-term complications of diabetes mellitus are a result of prolonged hyperglycaemia.

Diabetic cataract
Diabetic retinopathy

Due to their shorter life span, diabetic dogs seem to develop fewer long-term complications than human diabetics. Obtaining optimal control of blood glucose concentration helps to prevent the long-term complications of diabetes mellitus.

Diabetic cataract

Cataracts are seen far more commonly in cases of canine diabetes than feline diabetes. In fact if diabetic dogs are followed for one year or more, almost all of them will develop cataracts.

Excess glucose present in the lens of the eye due to hyperglycaemia is converted into sorbitol, which causes an increase in the influx of water into the lens. The increase in water causes a breakdown of the lens fibres and disruption of the normal structure. The lens becomes cloudy resulting in loss of vision, usually in both eyes.

Treatment is by surgical removal of the lens. It is advisable to perform the surgery after the diabetic dog has been regulated successfully for at least 3 months.

Diabetic retinopathy

Very rare complication of canine diabetes caused by changes in retinal blood vessels.

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