Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Rise in diabetes cases in dogs in Japan from 2015 to 2023
By Konishi, Kenta et al.·Published in The Journal of veterinary medical science·2026·Okayama University of Science Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Increase in the prevalence of canine diabetes mellitus in Japan from 2015 to 2023: insights from insurance and clinical data.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study in Japan found that the number of dogs diagnosed with diabetes has been steadily increasing from 2015 to 2023. The prevalence rose from about 0.07% to 0.30%, indicating that more dogs are developing this condition each year. Most cases were seen in male dogs, particularly those aged between 8 and 10 years. This suggests that older dogs, especially males, are at a higher risk for diabetes. If you notice symptoms like increased thirst, frequent urination, or weight loss in your dog, it’s important to consult your veterinarian for testing and potential treatment options.
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Abstract
In this study, we analyzed the prevalence of diabetes in dogs over a nine-year period (2015-2023) in Japan using records provided by a pet insurance company. The observed prevalence rose from approximately 0.07% in 2015 to 0.30% in 2023, highlighting a steady upward trend. Logistic regression analysis confirmed this increase (regression coefficient β=0.121, P<0.001), with an odds ratio of 1.128 (95% confidence interval: 1.116-1.142), indicating an annual 12.8% increase in the odds of diabetes. A similar trend was observed among newly enrolled animals each year (β=0.0927, P<0.001; OR=1.097, 95% confidence interval: 1.076-1.119), suggesting a 9.7% annual increase in the odds of developing diabetes. The insurance dataset consistently showed a higher prevalence in males compared to females across all years. Additionally, we examined 209 clinical cases of canine diabetes collected from 21 veterinary hospitals to investigate age at diagnosis, sex, and neutering status. Case records indicated an age-related increase in diabetes incidence, with a peak between 8 and 10 years of age. The timing of diabetes onset did not significantly differ by sex or neutering status (χtest, P=0.936). These findings highlight a progressive increase in canine diabetes prevalence in Japan and support the existence of a sex-based disparity in risk, with males being more susceptible.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41443822/