My diabetic dog is drinking and panting. Is it high blood sugar?

The short and direct answer is: Yes, increased drinking and panting are classic signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) in a diabetic dog, and this should be treated as a potential medical emergency until proven otherwise.

Do not wait to see if it resolves. You should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Here is a detailed explanation of what is likely happening, why it’s so dangerous, and what you need to do right now.

The Link Between the Symptoms and High Blood Sugar

What you’re seeing are two sides of the same dangerous coin. Let’s break down the physiology:

1. Excessive Drinking (Polydipsia) and Urinating (Polyuria):
   • Your dog’s blood sugar is likely very high. When the blood glucose level soars beyond what the kidneys can reabsorb (a threshold known as the “renal threshold”), the excess sugar spills into the urine.
   • Glucose in the urine acts like a sponge, pulling water from the body along with it through osmosis. This leads to the production of a large volume of dilute urine.
   • To compensate for this fluid loss and prevent dehydration, your dog is driven to drink excessive amounts of water. This is the body’s emergency attempt to maintain its fluid balance.
2. Excessive Panting (Tachypnea/Panting):
   This is the more concerning sign of the two, as it can indicate a serious complication. There are several reasons a diabetic dog with high blood sugar may pant:
   • Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): This is a life-threatening condition. Because the dog’s cells are starving for energy (they can’t use glucose without insulin), the body starts breaking down fat for fuel at a rapid rate. This process produces toxic acids called ketones.
     The body tries to compensate for this rising acid level in the blood by breathing them out, leading to deep, rapid, and labored panting. Panting in DKA is a sign of a metabolic crisis.
   • Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalances: The profound water loss from the high blood sugar leads to dehydration. This can make a dog feel hot, unwell, and pant to try and cool down or due to general distress.
   • Underlying Pain or Stress: High blood sugar can make a dog feel generally miserable. It can also exacerbate underlying conditions like pancreatitis (common in diabetics) or a urinary tract infection, both of which can cause pain and lead to panting.

Why This is an Urgent Situation

You cannot assume this is just a minor fluctuation. Your dog’s symptoms indicate that their diabetes is dangerously out of control. The two primary concerns are:

1. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): As mentioned above, DKA is a medical emergency that requires immediate, intensive veterinary care, including IV fluids, insulin, and electrolyte correction. It can be fatal if left untreated.
2. Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS): This is another critical condition where the blood sugar becomes extremely high (often over 600 mg/dL), leading to severe dehydration and neurological signs like lethargy, weakness, or even seizures.

What You Should Do Immediately

Step 1: Contact Your Veterinarian or Emergency Clinic Now.
Explain the symptoms: “My diabetic dog is drinking excessively and panting heavily.” They will likely tell you to bring your dog in immediately.

Step 2: If You Can, Check for Ketones (But Do Not Delay Travel).
If you have urine ketone test strips at home (which all diabetic dog owners should keep on hand), test a fresh urine sample. Any positive result for ketones, even a “trace,” is an emergency. If you don’t have strips, don’t worry—just go. The vet will test.

Step 3: Do NOT Give Any Extra Insulin.
It can be very tempting to administer an additional dose of insulin. Do not do this without explicit instruction from your veterinarian. If your dog is not eating or is on the verge of DKA, giving their normal dose or an extra dose can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or other complications. The vet needs to assess their current status first.

Step 4: Gather Information for the Vet.
While preparing to go, gather:

• Your dog’s insulin and syringes.
• A log of their recent blood glucose readings (if you test at home).
• Information on when they last ate and their last insulin dose.
• Any other symptoms you’ve noticed (lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness).

What to Expect at the Veterinary Clinic

The veterinary team will act quickly. They will:

1. Run Immediate Tests: This will include a blood glucose check, a blood gas analysis to look for acidosis, and a chemistry panel to check electrolytes and organ function. They will also check for ketones in the blood and urine.
2. Start Aggressive Treatment: If DKA or severe hyperglycemia is confirmed, your dog will almost certainly be hospitalized. Treatment involves:
   • Intravenous (IV) Fluids: To combat dehydration and flush out ketones.
   • Fast-Acting Insulin: Given via continuous IV infusion or frequent injections to slowly and safely bring the blood sugar down.
   • Electrolyte Supplementation: To correct dangerous imbalances in potassium, sodium, and phosphorus.
3. Investigate the Underlying Cause: The veterinarian will try to determine why this happened. Common triggers include:
   • An underlying infection (e.g., UTI, dental infection, skin infection).
   • Pancreatitis.
   • Inadequate insulin dose or a problem with the insulin (expired, shaken improperly).
   • An unrelated stressor or illness.

Conclusion

Your vigilance has likely caught a serious complication early. Increased drinking and panting in a diabetic dog are not symptoms to monitor at home. They are a clear signal that your dog’s system is in crisis. The potential for a life-threatening condition like Diabetic Ketoacidosis is very real.

Please, act now. Contact your veterinarian and get your dog the urgent care they need.

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Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding your pet’s medical condition.