Diabetes can cause many other health problems when not properly regulated. Just as with humans, untreated diabetes in dogs and cats can lead to a number of complications. Research in humans and mice has shown that organ damage begins to occur when the blood sugar is above 140mg/dl (7.8mmol/L). The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) was a major clinical study conducted from 1983 to 1993 and funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The study showed that keeping blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible slows the onset and progression of the eye, kidney, and nerve damage caused by diabetes. In fact, it demonstrated that any sustained lowering of blood glucose, also called blood sugar, helps, even if the person has a history of poor control.

Some of the complications include:

Eyes	Neuropathy in Cats	Hyperthyroidism
Kidney disease	Cancer	Hypoglycemia
Liver disease	Collapsed Trachea	Ketoacidosis - DKA
Limbs	Cushings	Pancreas and Pancreatitis
Increased susceptibility to infections	Diabetes Insipidus	Somogyi Phenomenon
Blindness in Dogs	Heritary/Congenital Disorders	UTI - Urinary Tract Infection

Diabetes complications that are specific to Dogs and Cats
DKA(Diabetic Ketoacidosis)	Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Cataracts	Diabetic Neuropathy (Walking on the hocks)
Uveitis And Glaucoma are Complications of Cataracts	Hypoglycemia
Diabetic Neuropathy in Dogs	Diabetic Nephropathy (Renal or Kidney Failure)
Lowered Resistance to Infection	Pancreatitis
	kidney failure
	Hepatic lipidosis
	urinary tract infections/inflammation (UTIs)
	dental problems
	skin infections and delayed wound healing