Table 1. Comparative Features of Diabetes Mellitus in the Human and the Dog.

Attributes	Human Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus	Canine Diabetes Mellitus
Time of onset	- Juvenile mode (childhood-adolescence) but can be diagnosed at any age (usually < 30-40)	- Middle aged to older (8 years)
Etiology	- Immune mediated	- Variable evidence of anti-islet Ab
	- Known genetic predisposition	- May be secondary to pancreatitis
		- Etiology often not determined (diagnosed at end stage disease)
		- Genetic predisposition (Keeshond, Min. Schnauzer, Min. Poodle, Beagle)
Pancreatic Histology	- Beta cell deficiency	- Near complete absence of beta cells in majority of dogs at the time of diagnosis
	- Insulitis (lymphocytic infiltration of islets) in early stages of disease	- Insulitis is rarely detected
Clinical presentation & secondary organ injury	- Ketosis-prone insulin dependent diabetes mellitus	- Ketosis-prone insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
	- Microvascular disease (retinopathy, nephropathy) and atherosclerosis	- Cataract formation leading to blindness
		- Rarely: Atherosclerosis
Therapy	- Insulin therapy required	- Insulin therapy required
	- Dietary management is complementary	- Dietary management is complementary