Diabetes mellitus affects approximately 1 in 300 dogs, most commonly middle-aged to older spayed female dogs. With proper insulin management, diabetic dogs can maintain good quality of life, but unmanaged diabetes causes severe suffering.
Unmanaged diabetic dogs experience severe metabolic disturbance including osmotic thirst, muscle wasting, and weakness. Diabetic ketoacidosis causes vomiting, collapse, and death without emergency treatment. Well-managed diabetic dogs can maintain normal quality of life and behaviour with appropriate care. The welfare burden of diabetes falls on both the dog (daily injections, dietary restriction) and the owner (significant financial and time commitment).