Canine diabetes mellitus has a seasonal incidence: implications relevant to human diabetes
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 23, 2026

Study of In Vivo Glucose Metabolism in High-fat Diet-fed Mice Using Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) and Insulin Tolerance Test (ITT)
Published on: January 7, 2018
1Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706.
Abstract:
A 3 year survey of practicing veterinarians in the State of Wisconsin revealed a strong seasonal variation (peak incidence in January and February) for spontaneous canine diabetes mellitus (SCDM) in pet dogs. This seasonal incidence was quite similar to that observed in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in humans. SCDM is etiologically heterogeneous, it has dissimilar etiologies as compared to IDDM, and it is unlikely that viral infections play a causal role. For these reasons, it is concluded that the finding of a similar seasonal incidence in SCDM and IDDM suggests that the seasonal incidence of IDDM most likely represents the effects of, as yet undefined, stresses which precipitate the diabetic state in humans and dogs with pre-existent islet dysfunction of varying causes.
Related Concept Videos
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction
Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations
Type II Diabetes I: Introduction
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis

