Diabetes

Comments

• StaticNfuzz

  February 2009 edited November -1

  I personally have never had to treat a Shiba with it but here is an article from VCA ...I hope it helps.
  Snf
  http://www.petshealth.com/dr_library/diabetesdogs.html
• lepercann

  February 2009 edited November -1

  Thank you, that article was very informative!
• Sangmort

  February 2009 edited November -1

  Wish I could help, I know of Diabetes in Humans. [ mum, dad, grandad ] but not pups. Perhaps you can ask your vet? ~
• lindsayt

  February 2009 edited November -1

  All I know is that you can buy the insulin from a regular pharmacy and you can purchase canine glucometers to do testing on the ear. I don't know if people actually check multiple times a day, but I suspect the families that do test, test about once a day in the morning and adjust the dose from there, or keep the dose exactly the same while not testing until the dog develops signs of hyper/hypo glycemia (increased thirst and increased urination, or conversly seizures/coma and passing out, or weakness). Then they go into the vet for glucose testing. You would always have to plan ahead for meals for the dog and keep karo syrup or something sweet like that on hand in case. They make diabetic dog food as well but I think high quality protein diets work as well or better. You would always have to have a place to keep insulin refrigerated if you were to travel. It isn't much extra work, and the dogs don't know they are sick. I have to do allergy shots with Beebe all the time and keep everything refrigerated, do oral meds every day with meals and pack ice packs when traveling, it really doesn't take much effort and it becomes another routine. The dog will be so greatful for an understanding home :) Hope that didn't scare you off...Dogs with diabetes can live long and healthy lives.
• lepercann

  February 2009 edited November -1

  Thank you for the info! Can I ask about the shots? How do you do it, where, etc. Does Beebe hate it? Does it hurt her a lot? I am going to the vet next week with Triton for a nail trim and I am going to speak to him about the diabetes, but it is nice to get a first hand opinion from someone who actually deals with this type of situation.
• lindsayt

  February 2009 edited November -1

  Allergy shots are a different animal than insulin shots, but they are given in a similar way. The insulin syringes are really tiny so they don't really hurt. You give the shots in the dogs scruff and try to rotate sites. I place Beebe on the grooming table and give her something to eat like a jerky strip (takes longer to chew), by the time she is done, she has already had the shot and didn't even know it. At first she would balk, and then I would practice the routine with a capped or blunt needle so she isn't getting poked, but we still go thru the motions and she gets a cookie so she thinks it's all fun.
  This doggy sounds like she has already had practice with this so that makes your job a little easier. Definately ask your vet, hopefully they will give you some good answers :)