Chronische ziekten en speciale situaties
Prediabetes en insulineresistentie: de te voorkomen diabetes
Diabetes is often preventable if the signs of insulin resistance are recognized in time. We show you what to look out for and what to change.
Wanneer direct naar de dierenarts?
- •Bloed in ontlasting of braaksel
- •Lethargie, drinkt of eet niet meer sinds 24+ uur
- •Herhaaldelijk braken, vooral als water niet binnenblijft
- •Gezwollen of pijnlijke buik, janken
- •Diarree langer dan 3 dagen of verslechterende symptomen
Dit artikel is informatief en vervangt geen diergeneeskundig onderzoek.
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Prediabetes and Insulin Resistance: Preventable Diabetes
"Prediabetes" is not an official diagnosis in dogs, but there is an intermediate state, insulin resistance, which often develops into clinical diabetes. It is preventable with the right diet and lifestyle.
What is Insulin Resistance?
In a normal state: insulin "opens the cell doors" for glucose.
In cases of insulin resistance:
- The cells are "deaf" to insulin
- The pancreas produces more and more insulin
- This exhausts over time: clinical diabetes
The 7 Main Risk Factors
1. Overweight / obesity, the most important! Abdominal fat tissue produces insulin insensitivity. 2. Lack of exercise. 3. High carbohydrate intake, refined, high GI: white rice, corn flour, sugary treats. 4. Cushing's syndrome, high cortisol. 5. Thyroid disorder, hypothyroidism reduces sensitivity. 6. Corticosteroid treatment, long-term steroid use. 7. Genetic predisposition, Miniature Schnauzer, Yorkshire Terrier, Bichon Frise, Cairn Terrier, Beagle, Samoyed, Pug, Toy Poodle.
The 6 Warning Signs (Before Clinical Diabetes)
1. Slow weight change without explanation, weight loss AND weight gain simultaneously (paradox). 2. Increased appetite. 3. Slightly increased water consumption. 4. More frequent urination. 5. Recurrent urinary tract infections, sugary urine provides a favorable environment. 6. Skin problems, recurrent skin fungus, slow-healing wounds.
Diagnosis, Blood Tests
Blood sugar:
- Normal: 4–7 mmol/l
- Slightly elevated: 7–10 (can be stress or prediabetes)
- High: 10+ (clinical)
Fructosamine, shows the average blood sugar of the past 2–3 weeks, stress-independent. More reliable than a single blood sugar measurement.
Urine sugar, positive = blood sugar > 10–12 mmol/l.
The 5 Pillars of Prevention
1. Weight control, the most important For BCS 6+, reduce calories by 15–20%, Light food, weekly weight measurement.
2. Daily exercise Minimum 2x 30 minutes walking, heart-rate-increasing exercise. Muscle tissue is insulin-sensitive.
3. Diet optimization
Give: high-fiber food (8–15%), complex carbohydrates (brown rice, sweet potato, oats), high-quality protein, omega-3.
Avoid: high GI carbohydrates, sugary treats, table scraps, high fat.
4. Eating routine Fixed times 2x daily, no free-feeding, small portions control blood sugar better.
5. Management of chronic diseases Cushing, thyroid, long-term steroids: aim for a minimum dose.
Special Situations
Spayed, overweight female, highest risk group. Strict weight control, annual blood tests.
Elderly, overweight Miniature Schnauzer, risk of pancreatitis + diabetes. Low-fat + complex carbohydrate food.
Dog on long-term steroids, monthly blood sugar, minimum dose, weight and urine monitoring.
Home Monitoring
Daily: water consumption, frequency of urination, appetite. Weekly: weight measurement, BCS. Monthly: trend observation. Annually: blood tests (basic panel + blood sugar + fructosamine), urinalysis.
The DogDietLab Pro daily check-in feature can also be used for this.
Treats for Dogs at Risk of Prediabetes
✅ Good: cooked chicken in small pieces, carrots, broccoli, green beans, cooked egg white.
❌ To avoid: commercial sweet treats, dried fruit, honey-flavored snacks, high GI kibble treats, cooked potatoes.
When is an Urgent Vet Visit Needed?
🚨 Consult: persistent increased water consumption (for 1 week), unexplained weight loss, recurrent urinary tract infections, increase in skin problems.
Is it Preventable? Yes, in Most Cases
Genetic predisposition cannot be changed, but the rest can. A 6-month diet and a new eating plan can often reverse mild insulin resistance. From clinical diabetes, there is no turning back.
This is informative content.
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Bronnen
- 1.Fleeman LM, Rand JS — Management of canine diabetes. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice 31(5):855–880, 2001. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0195-5616(01)50003-0 (geraadpleegd: 2026-09-10)
- 2.Cline MG, Burns KM, Coe JB, et al. — 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 57(4):153–178, 2021. https://doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7232 (geraadpleegd: 2026-09-10)
- 3.German AJ — The growing problem of obesity in dogs and cats. The Journal of Nutrition 136(7):1940S–1946S, 2006. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/136.7.1940S (geraadpleegd: 2026-09-10)
- 4.Laflamme DP — Development and validation of a body condition score system for dogs. Canine Practice 22(4):10–15, 1997. (geraadpleegd: 2026-09-10)
Dit is algemene informatie en vervangt geen diergeneeskundige diagnose.
Deze gids is samengesteld op basis van de vakkennis van Reka Fazekas-Birizdo hondenvoedingsadviseur.
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