DIABETES 351 



reaction. The specific gravity is increased (1040 to 1060). 

 An examination of the urine should be made to determine the 

 sugar content. From 3 to 5 per cent, of sugar has been 

 found. The amount of sugar content will depend to quite 

 an extent on the kind of food given the patient. The 

 feeding of carbohydrates materially increases the per cent, 

 while nitrogenous foodstuffs diminish it. (For testing for 

 sugar in the urine, see Diseases of the Kidneys.) 



As the disease progresses certain other symptoms are 

 uniformly present. Opacity of one or both cornea (keratitis) , 

 or of the lens (cataract) is often found, gradually producing 

 blindness. Other portions of the eye may also be affected. 

 Ulceration of the cornea has been observed. Secondary 

 involvement _of the respiratory organs takes place in the form 

 of a catarrhal inflammation of the larynx, trachea, bronchial 

 tubes and lungs. Pneumonia and gangrene of the lungs may 

 develop. Cardiac weakness is noted during the last stages. 

 Other symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea and constipation, 

 may be seen. Ulceration of the skin, falling out of the hair, 

 found in some cases, indicate the general disturbance in 

 metabolism. During the last stages the patient becomes very 

 weak, emaciated, cachectic, and dies from exhaustion. 



Course.— The disease is characterized by its chronicity and 

 may last from several months to two years. Sugar is some- 

 times present in the urine for a long time before the disease 

 is recognized. 



Diagnosis.— This disease should be differentiated from 

 diabetes insipidus. In the former the presence of sugar in 

 the urine, the gradual emaciation and the retention of the 

 appetite would be sufficient to make a positive diagnosis. 



Prognosis.— Is always unfavorable. The disease is a 

 progressive one, in which complications follow each other 

 making the condition hopeless. 



Treatment.— Very little can be accomplished except by 

 regulation of the diet and limiting the carbohydrates fed. 

 Dogs should be fed on a diet rich in fats and proteids (eggs, 

 fat meat, or oat meal with fat meat) . Large doses of sodium 

 bicarbonate should be given (1.5 to 2.5) daily to reduce the 

 acidosis which is apt to develop. The amount may be 



