Remission of diabetes mellitus in an intact female dog

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the most common endocrinopathies among dogs. It is a set of metabolic disorders resulting from tissues' lack of sensitivity to insulin action, and/or its relative or absolute deficiency. The clinical manifestations observed include polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, weight loss, persistent hyperglycemia, and glucosuria. Its classification and etiology in dogs are not yet well defined but may be associated with immune-mediated, genetic, infectious, hormonal and metabolic factors, as well as certain pharmaceuticals. According to the AHAA® 2018 guidelines (American Animal Hospital Association) for Diabetes Management in Dogs and Cats, therapeutic strategies in all cases include insulin therapy, dietary management, and recognition and elimination/minimization of factors associated with insulin resistance. This report presents the case of an 8-year-old intact a dog, Yorkshire Terrier breed, presenting clinical characteristics suggestive of diestrus and mammary nodule at the time of the DM diagnosis. The therapeutic strategy included adjunctive diet for diabetic patients, adequate caloric intake, insulin therapy, ovariohysterectomy and mastectomy. After the start of treatment, a reduction in persistent hyperglycemia with improvement of clinical manifestations could be observed even before surgical approaches, as diestrus progressed to anestrus. It is concluded that, although canine DM remission is uncommon, it is possible when appropriate insulin therapy is instituted associated with dietary adjustment and reduction of factors causing insulin resistance.