Diabetes is a condition that causes disordered fat, carbohydrate, and protein metabolism due to an absolute or relative shortage of insulin. In Type I diabetes, the body suffers from an absolute shortage or insulin. In Type II diabetes, the cells respond incorrectly to the insulin that is being produced, a condition called insulin resistance.
Insulin is produced in the pancreas. Appropriate insulin function allows the muscles and liver to take up glucose and convert it into energy.
Diabetes is relatively common in humans; similarly, many domesticated dogs suffer from the condition. Obese and female dogs suffer from higher risk. Early signs of diabetes in dogs include excessive hunger and thirst, excessive urination, and weight loss. Later signs include lethargy and depression, vomiting, and anorexia.
To diagnose the condition, your vet will do a urinanalysis and look for high levels of glucose in the blood and urine. Once diagnosed, your vet will probably prescribe regimented exercise and balancing food and liquid cravings to healthy levels. For more difficult cases, keeping careful track of blood sugar levels, insulin doses, and watching for symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia (low and high levels of glucose, respectively) might be necessary.
Source:
http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/endocrine/c_dg_diabetes_mellitus_wo_complication?page=2
