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Diabetes Mellitus
Cataract development is commonly seen in diabetic dogs.
When the glucose concentration of aqueous humour remains persistently
elevated, the lens metabolises the glucose via the sorbitol dehydrogenase
metabolic pathway to produce sorbitol and fructose. These accumulate within
the lens and osmotically drag water in to result in ballooning degeneration
of lenticular epithelial cells. The affected lens appears grossly opaque.
Fatty degeneration of hepatocytes is also expected in diabetic
patients because of the impairment of glucose supply to the hepatocytes
and hence compromised synthesis of lipoproteins for export.
 
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Veterinary
Pathology - Cell Degeneration