Canine diabetes insipidus (DI) is a rare but significant condition causing extreme thirst and urination that, without diagnosis and management, leads to severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and significant suffering for affected dogs.
The welfare impact of undiagnosed or poorly managed diabetes insipidus can be severe. The constant, overwhelming thirst experienced by affected dogs is profoundly distressing, and the inability to retain water makes them physically miserable. Dogs denied water for even a few hours can suffer dangerous hypernatremia with neurological symptoms including confusion, seizures, and death. A key welfare concern is that these dogs must have constant, unrestricted access to water at all times — including overnight, in cars, and in kennels. Once properly diagnosed and treated, central DI can be managed well and dogs can live normal lives. The primary welfare failures occur through delayed diagnosis and failure to ensure constant water access.