Question:
My sister called me this evening in tears because a urinalysis revealed
glucose in her miniature dachshund's urine. The veterinarian said there
was a strong possibility that he has diabetes, and she's to take him for
blood tests tomorrow.
Since none of us have ever had a diabetic pet before (I, myself have 6
cats and 4 dogs at the present time, and have had other pets over the
years), we have no knowledge of what it's like to treat and deal with a
diabetic pet. Is euthanasia the kinder choice? Is the pet's quality of
life still good? Is the treatment ALWAYS shots, or can some pets be
treated with tablets as humans often are?
Answer:
Is euthanasia the kinder choice? I guess that depends on your point of
view. To my way of thinking, humanely killing an animal who has a high
likelihood of living a relatively normal carefree life with proper care is
not kind. I'm certain that many others disagree.
Is the quality of life still good? Yes, when the diabetes is managed
properly.
Is the treatment always shots? In dogs, yes. Some cats can be treated with
oral medications, but not many. Diabetes is due to an insulin deficiency
or a failure of insulin to interact with the receptors appropriately. The
oral medications used promote insulin secretion from the beta cells which
are still functional - most diabetic dogs do not have any of these left!
Therefore they need insulin replacement therapy.
*Also, are there any other less ominous diagnoses possible?
Well, first - I don't particularly think diabetes in a dog is an "ominous"
diagnosis! However, I suppose your dachsie could have a glucose transport
defect in the kidney (that might be more ominous, I don't know -- it's
really unlikely unless this is a very young dog), or he could have a blood
glucose level measuring above the renal threshold for some other reason.
But diabetes is probably the most likely.
