Diabetes is not uncommon in our furry friends as they age. Whether related to diet, genetics or just fate, it is not a death sentence for your pet and is relatively easy to treat.
After initial diagnosis your vet will likely want to do a glucose curve--keeping your pet for a minimum of 5 hours and checking its blood sugar periodically to determine the initial levels of insulin required and is repeated from time to time as needed when activity levels or diet change.
Generally, depending on the type of insulin used, it will need to be administered every 12 hours. This may seem daunting to a busy family, but just think: You're generally home at, say, 6am and 6pm, right? And a shot takes only a moment to administer.
I remember practicing on an orange before giving my dog his very first shot: I was so afraid it would hurt him, but I gave him the shot by pinching the skin between his shoulder blades while he was eating and he didn't even notice. (You know how pugs are with their food!)
So, as you can see, it really doesn't require so much to deal with your dog's diabetes. Your loving companion and friend has been there every time you needed him--would you abandon him in his time of need (and especially for something so simple to treat)?
Note: I am NOT a vet, but I did care for a diabetic dog.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hello All-I am currently a mother of a diabetic pug. He was diagnosed in December and since it's been interesting to say the least. I have had a terrible time getting him regulated but every day I have with him is worth it. The hardest part of taking care of a diabetic dog is not the work but is the worry it causes because you love them so much. It takes only a second in the morning and evening to administer the shots. So please be patient with your dog, he/she doesnt understand what is happening and they need your support!!!!!
ReplyDelete