Add me to the list of diabetic-dog owners....

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

So I guess I've been too lucky all these decades; plus adding a breed that is more likely to get diabetes (poodles) upped my chances anyway - but 8 year old Jimmy (mini Aussie/Mini poodle cross) delivered a nice urine specimen this morning that is loaded with sugar 😞 We go back to the Vet this afternoon to get bloodwork done. The Vet tech said the good news was that he didn't have ketones in his urine. Jimmy had lost a bit of weight, was sort of listless - and the lightbulb finally went on in my brain when he started guzzling water and needing to go outside more frequently the last few days. We practiced "getting a catch" a few times - which sort of makes him do a doggy eye-roll for the intrusion on his privacy; but he does cooperate.

My Mom and my M-I-L were diabetic; plus I helped care for my "dog-nephew" - a Bichon who was diabetic. I sort of know the basics - and am somewhat dreading getting Jimmy to eat a whole "meal" since he's been a nibbler all his life. I'm not afraid to give shots; and Jimmy's a pretty stoic guy - so that aspect isn't scary. But if anyone has any hints to help prolong his life and protect his vision - I'd love to hear them? (Ironically, I remember thinking that if we crossed a short-lived breed like an Aussie with a longer-lived breed like a poodle - maybe we could space out the heartbreaks a bit further?) Or is there any kind of diabetes preventative for Ben, who's 3 and also an Aussie/poodle mix, but not related to Jimmy in any way.

[dturm]

Outstanding!!!

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

One last post - we hit "Nirvana" 🙂 Jimmy's blood sugar is perfect, with one (short) scoop of food, 7 units of insulin, and a half-mile walk. It sounds silly, but I had no idea how much food my dogs eat, since they used to just nibble all day. But Jimmy's weight has stayed steady for the last 3 weeks.

[LJAZ]

Deb and Ed M wrote:
Jimmy went back for another blood sugar check - he's so funny - he sits in the waiting room, looking around like it's the best place ever....then they take us to the examining room, and he freaks; like he had no idea we were there for THAT!!!!!

Anyway - his sugar was still a little high (for 8 hours after his morning shot), so he's bumped up another unit, to 7.

I guess my question for diabetic dog owners is: (and I know this will be hard to quantify) - how much exercise can they get before they keel over from low blood sugar? Jimmy's pretty sedentary - here in Michigan we have a small yard, so his exercise is mainly playing like crazy with Ben; or the occasional short (<.5 mile) walk. Once we get to FL, he walks a lot more - a couple of .5 mile walks at the minimum. I'm hoping that doubling his exercise still won't matter - it's not like he's an "athlete".

Unfortunately there's no easy way to know other than testing. Exercise will tend to lower his blood sugar but there isn't any way to really know other than doing a blood test. It could be a little or it could be a lot. That's why testing is so important. Although I would think that doubling his exercise would have a pretty big impact.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Jimmy went back for another blood sugar check - he's so funny - he sits in the waiting room, looking around like it's the best place ever....then they take us to the examining room, and he freaks; like he had no idea we were there for THAT!!!!!

Anyway - his sugar was still a little high (for 8 hours after his morning shot), so he's bumped up another unit, to 7.

I guess my question for diabetic dog owners is: (and I know this will be hard to quantify) - how much exercise can they get before they keel over from low blood sugar? Jimmy's pretty sedentary - here in Michigan we have a small yard, so his exercise is mainly playing like crazy with Ben; or the occasional short (<.5 mile) walk. Once we get to FL, he walks a lot more - a couple of .5 mile walks at the minimum. I'm hoping that doubling his exercise still won't matter - it's not like he's an "athlete".

[sher9570]

Deb and Ed M wrote:
I'm just posting this for the sake of others who might read this later - I'm using syringes with needles that are 31 gauge x 8mm (5/16th inch). They are as thin as a hair - and clearly not painful. Jimmy now recognizes the sound of the insulin bottle's box being opened, runs into the kitchen and dances around happily to get his shot. Crazy dog!!! He's also making it all the way through the night without needing to go outside - so I think we have the right dosage.

This is how our Zachery was, such a good little dog.
your right about the 31 gauge, makes it much better for the dog and makes it less scary for the human that has never done this.

Sher

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Dr Doug - my Vet laughed when I told her I had botched an injection, she called it an "I.F." - intra-fur 🙂 Fortunately, Jimmy is a mix that needs to be clipped anyway; so his now-short fur poses no problems.

thomasgunnar - thanks for that link! I'll add it to my "collection".

Yesterday's blood check at the Vet showed Jimmy's sugar was still a bit high, so he's getting 6 units of insulin now. I can tell immediately that it made a difference - he's not heading for the water bowl first thing in the morning; and he dawdled around on the deck before he decided to go into the lawn to pee. Prior to this - it was the mad-dash to hit grass and let loose.

[thomasgunnar]

If you have not already been to this site here is a link.

http://k9diabetes.com/forum/index.php

[dturm]

Another thought, if you are having a problem getting through the hair with the syringes you are using, you might try a longer, bigger needle. It might create a little more reaction, but I've found a 25-27 gauge needle still doesn't create much reaction in most animals.

[thomasgunnar]

Deb and Ed M wrote:

thomasgunnar wrote:


I use the inside of Shelbys lip. I sit on the floor and she will come and lay her head in my lap. It is the only place I can consistently get any blood. She is just past having it for two years.

What kind of dog is Shelby?? Jimmy has nice longish ears; and judging by how often Ben (my little dog) drags him around by those ears, they aren't especially sensitive....LOL!

Shelby is a rottweiler.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

thomasgunnar wrote:


I use the inside of Shelbys lip. I sit on the floor and she will come and lay her head in my lap. It is the only place I can consistently get any blood. She is just past having it for two years.

What kind of dog is Shelby?? Jimmy has nice longish ears; and judging by how often Ben (my little dog) drags him around by those ears, they aren't especially sensitive....LOL!

[thomasgunnar]

LJAZ wrote:

Deb and Ed M wrote:


Re glucose meter: a friend gave me her meter that she used on her cat, but it needs new strips. I want my Vet to show me the best way to use it - I'm not squeamish about giving shots, but drawing blood on my dog is another matter....LOL!

On edit: while I was at WalMart picking up the insulin and syringes, the Pharm assistant walked me over to their other "injectable accessories" and explained how they can be used; and yes, I saw how inexpensive their brand-name was!

Good idea to have the vet show you. FWIW I've done this with a dog before, you don't need to actually draw blood. You use a spring loaded lancing device to prick the tip of the ear as you only a need to get a tiny drop of blood. Walmart will carry those too.

I use the inside of Shelbys lip. I sit on the floor and she will come and lay her head in my lap. It is the only place I can consistently get any blood. She is just past having it for two years.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Thank you for the video, Dr Doug - that helped a LOT (by explaining where to nick). I don't mind taking Jimmy to my Vet - she charges a minimal fee for a blood check; but as we drive to FL or go camping, I realize I might need to know what's going on with Jimmy's sugar levels.

IMO, it's SOOO much easier to give an injection with Jimmy's now-short fur. But if I had a Newfie - I'd just learn to deal with it, you know??

[LJAZ]

Deb and Ed M wrote:


Re glucose meter: a friend gave me her meter that she used on her cat, but it needs new strips. I want my Vet to show me the best way to use it - I'm not squeamish about giving shots, but drawing blood on my dog is another matter....LOL!

On edit: while I was at WalMart picking up the insulin and syringes, the Pharm assistant walked me over to their other "injectable accessories" and explained how they can be used; and yes, I saw how inexpensive their brand-name was!

Good idea to have the vet show you. FWIW I've done this with a dog before, you don't need to actually draw blood. You use a spring loaded lancing device to prick the tip of the ear as you only a need to get a tiny drop of blood. Walmart will carry those too.

[dturm]

You've listed the major long term consequences.

Re blood monitors and how to do on dogs, most use a needle prick near the ear margin. This doesn't work on many dogs as they don't like their ears messed with.

This page included a video of blood collection in a cat, the technique is similar in dogs.