Dogs of all sizes can be diagnosed with canine diabetes.
There are two forms of canine diabetes: Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus. Diabetes Mellitus occurs more frequently than Diabetes Insipidus. Diabetes Mellitus is diagnosed in canines when the body is incapable of converting sugar (glucose) to energy at a cellular level. Diabetes Insipidus has nothing to do with insulin, sugar or glucose levels. It is caused by a deficiency in the secretion of anti-diuretic hormones which results in increased urination and possible dehydration. Canine diabetes tests can be administered at home to screen and monitor your pet's general health, while clinical tests are used to conclusively diagnose and treat either disease.
Urine Glucose Test
An inexpensive and simple test to administer is the urine glucose test, which approximates the level of glucose in the blood. When the level of glucose in the blood exceeds the renal threshold of 10mmol/L or 180 mg/dl, glucose spills through the kidneys and enters the urine. This is what the urine glucose test identifies. The test uses a strip with a test area at one end which may either be placed in a urine stream or dipped in a container holding the urine sample. The test area changes color once introduced to the urine, and this color is then compared to a color chart for reference. Different colors signify different concentrations of glucose concentrations in the urine.
Glycosylated Hemoglobin Test
To monitor existing patients or even to screen new patients, clinics test for concentrations of glycolysated hemoglobins. When a dog has an accumulation of glucose in the blood, glucose begins to bind to hemoglobins at a predictable rate. This binding process is not reversible and thus serves as an indicator of glucose accumulation in the blood over a period of time. If there is a transient or momentary increase in sugar levels, it does not result in significant binding, thus serving as a reliable test against transient hyperglycemia.
Diabetes Insipidus Screening Tests
The main thing to remember about diabetes insipidus is that it isn't similar to Diabetes Mellitus. The key test for this form of diabetes is called the Modified Water Deprivation Test. For this test, the dog is deprived of water overnight. If the dog is then able to concentrate urine, diabetes is ruled out. If the patient can not concentrate urine, then the dog is diagnosed with Diabetes Insipidus.
Blood Test Strips
Blood test strips are similar to urine glucose strips. They are used to measure the glucose concentration levels in the blood. A drop of blood placed on the test strip and allowed to remain for a prescribed period will change the color of the test area. Compare this to a reference color chart provided by the manufacturer to determine the concentration levels.
Fructosomine Test
This test works well during both screening and diagnosis. It is similar in concept to the Glycosylated Hemoglobin Test, except in this test the measure is of the glycolysation of protein rather than hemoglobin. The prolonged elevated sugar levels in the blood results in binding of glucose to protein. The test can differentiate hypoglycemic patients from hyperglycemic ones, indicating the average sugar concentration over a two-week period.
Diabetes Mellitus Clinical Tests
Clinical tests to determine and monitor diabetes can include the methods listed above and additionally involve one or more of the following: checking for concentrations of Glycosylated Hemoglobin; testing for fasting hyperglycemia; and measuring Fructosomine levels.
Tags: Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetes Insipidus, glucose blood, Glycosylated Hemoglobin, test area, canine diabetes, color chart