Spontaneous remission and relapse of diabetes mellitus in a male dog

Rak, MB; Gilor, C; Niessen, SJM; Furrow, E

Abstract

An 8-year-old male neutered Miniature Schnauzer was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus based on fasting hyperglycemia and glucosuria after a 2-week history of polydipsia and periuria, in line with the Agreeing Language in Veterinary Endocrinology consensus definition. Treatment of insulin and dietary management was initiated. The insulin dose was gradually reduced and eventually discontinued over the next year based on spot blood glucose concentrations that revealed euglycemia or hypoglycemia. After discontinuation, the dog remained free of clinical signs for 1 year until it was again presented for polyuria/polydipsia with fasting hyperglycemia and glucosuria. Insulin therapy was resumed and continued for the remainder of the dog's life. Although diabetic remission often occurs in cats and humans, the presumed etiopathogenesis of pancreatic beta cell loss makes remission rare in dogs, except for cases occurring with diestrus or pregnancy. This case demonstrates that diabetic remission is possible in dogs, even in cases without an identifiable reversible trigger.

Citation

Rak, M., Gilor, C., Niessen, S., & Furrow, E. (2024). Spontaneous remission and relapse of diabetes mellitus in a male dog. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16991

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 21, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jan 19, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024
• Deposit Date: Feb 5, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 5, 2024
• Print ISSN: 0891-6640
• Publisher: Wiley Open Access
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16991
• Keywords: beta cells; glucotoxicity; insulin; obesity; pancreatitis; schnauzer; INSULIN-RESISTANCE; SERUM TRIGLYCERIDE; GLYCEMIC CONTROL; DIETARY FIBER; RISK-FACTORS; OBESE DOGS; GLUCOSE; HYPERGLYCEMIA; CATS; CLASSIFICATION