4 Signs Your Dog's Diabetes Is Getting Worse

When your dog's diabetes is under control, they should be able to live their life normally. However, if your dog's diabetes becomes hard to regulate or complications from other diseases have made their diabetes worse, it could lead to serious life-threatening side effects. Here are signs that your dog's diabetes may be worsening.

1. Rapid or Extreme Weight Loss

A dog with uncontrolled diabetes will not be able to properly process the food they are eating, leading to malnutrition and weight loss. If that weight loss comes on extremely rapidly, then it means your dog's body is breaking down the existing fat and muscle tissue to try to fuel the cells.

2. Difficulty Regulating Blood Sugar Levels

Initially, you may need to visit your veterinarian regularly to test your dog's blood glucose levels for the first month to properly regulate their insulin levels. After this period, if you and your veterinarian are having trouble regulating your dog's insulin levels — even with scheduled feedings, twice-daily insulin and proper diet — then their diabetes may have worsened.

3. Development of Ketoacidosis

Dogs with worsening diabetes may go into ketoacidosis, which is a medical emergency that requires hospitalization with your veterinarian. This condition may occur when your dog's insulin levels are very low, and they are under stress, haven't been eating, have had recently had surgery or have some type of infection.

Symptoms of ketoacidosis include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy and weakness
• Dehydration
• Muscle wasting
• Extreme thirst
• Excessive urination
• Lack of appetite
• Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, known as jaundice
• Dry, flaky skin and coat

If possible, have ketone testing sticks available to monitor your dog's urine for the presence of ketones and contact your vet immediately at any signs of ketoacidosis.

4. Diabetic Neuropathy and Complications

A condition that can develop in pets due to elevated blood glucose levels is nerve damage. Although rare in dogs, diabetic neuropathy can result in:

• Weakness
• Loss of coordination
• Muscle wasting
• Seizures

With insulin therapy, partial or full recovery can occur, but this condition could indicate that your dog's diabetes has worsened and is no longer being controlled due to elevated glucose levels.

Keep in mind that without proper regulation, other complications such as the development of cataracts and organ failure due to elevated glucose levels in the blood can occur in dogs with diabetes. These complications are serious and life-threatening.

When Your Dog Is Nearing the End of Life

Dogs with diabetes tend to have an average life expectancy of only two years after diagnosis. Keep in mind that older dogs may experience worsening diabetes as they reach their senior years or experience complications due to diabetes from a related condition.

Have realistic expectations for a dog with advanced diabetes

If not caught early or if your dog's diabetes has recently become more difficult to regulate, he or she could develop a number of co-occurring diseases that will worsen their diabetes and their health. These diseases include pancreatitis and the development of cataracts that can lead to blindness.

Dogs with late-stage diabetes may also develop seizures, kidney failure and an enlarged liver. All of these conditions can greatly diminish their quality of life and are typically not reversible once they occur.

Recognize the signs of pain and distress

The best way to keep track of your dog's diabetes is to monitor their blood glucose levels as directed by your veterinarian. However, if you notice that your dog is in distress, get them to the vet right away.

Signs of pain and distress include:

• A refusal to eat
• Disinterest in their favorite activities
• Lethargy
• Seizures
• Weight loss
• Continuous vomiting and diarrhea
• Frequent urination and accidents in the home

Consult with a veterinarian for guidance and support

For dogs with diabetes, you'll have to regularly check in with your veterinarian to ensure their blood sugar levels are properly regulated. However, if you notice signs of pain, distress, low blood sugar or ketoacidosis, you'll need to get your dog in for an appointment right away.

Based on your dog's symptoms and their quality of life, your veterinarian can make a recommendation about whether it might be time to say goodbye to your canine companion.

How to Comfort a Dying Dog With Diabetes

When your dog is in the final stages of diabetes, their quality of life will decline. Until they are still no longer able to move around and eat, the best thing to do is make them as comfortable as possible during their last few weeks or months.

Ensure proper pain management

While diabetes itself isn't a painful condition, it can lead to other health issues that can cause your dog pain.

• Consult with your veterinarian to determine if pain medication, such as an opioid or analgesic that is safe for use in dogs, would help relieve your dog's pain.
• Common medications to treat the pain of conditions like pancreatitis in dogs include tramadol, gabapentin and ketamine (ketamine is usually only used intravenously in the hospital). Your veterinarian can recommend one that's right for your dog to make them more comfortable.
• Other treatments such as laser therapy, acupuncture and massage can also help ease your dog's pain, along with the use of orthopedic pet beds.

Adjust diet and insulin treatment accordingly

Dogs with diabetes need their glucose levels monitored through blood testing at home and in your veterinarian's office. This will help determine the correct amount of insulin to give your dog.

• As your dog's condition worsens, you may need to adjust the amount of insulin you give to them.
• In addition to daily insulin injections, you'll need to feed your dog a low-fat diet that contains protein, fiber and complex carbohydrates to help slow the absorption of glucose in your dog's body.
• If your dog's appetite is waning, your vet may also recommend an appetite stimulant.

Offer a supportive and stress-free environment

Stress can lead to ketoacidosis in dogs with diabetes, which is why it's important to keep your dog's environment and routine as calm and regular as possible.

• Provide mobility assistance for your dog in the form of ramps, a harness or a wheelchair if they are having trouble getting around.
• Offer gentle mental and physical stimulation in the form of toys and games if your dog is up for it. Or, take them to their favorite outdoor area to get a little sunshine.
• Keep a schedule that includes regular meals, bathroom breaks and activities to prevent dips and spikes in your dog's insulin levels.
• Provide diapers for dogs dealing with incontinence and visits with a mobile groomer to keep their fur and skin clean if they experience accidents.

Get emotional support for you and your dog

Dealing with a dog dying of diabetes can be emotionally taxing and financially draining for you and your dog, too.

• Repeated visits to the veterinarian are not only stressful for you and your dog, but they can also put pressure on you financially, especially if you don't have pet insurance to help cover the costs.
• At the end of your dog's life, it's important to consider whether their quality of life may be poor. Euthanasia may be the kindest option for them if other treatments to make them comfortable have stopped working.
• Always discuss your options with your veterinarian to determine what course of action may work best.
• Online and in-person pet loss support groups can help as you deal with your grief.

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Expert Reviewer

Dr. Kathy Wentworth, V.M.D.

Dr. Kathy Wentworth was the Medical Director of the VCA PetPoint Medical Center and Resort, located in Irvine, California. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine and became board-certified as a Diplomate in Canine and Feline Practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in 2010.

Author Bio

Susan Paretts is a freelance writer with 19 years of experience covering health and wellness, pet care and more. Her work has been published by the American Kennel Club, Bayer Animal Health, Elanco, LIVESTRONG.com, The San Francisco Chronicle, Chewy and more.