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 Expert
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| HotbearLVR - 2014-02-12 11:55 AM
Here's my two cents worth on this subject. I would use a human glucometer. In the long run, it's just a good maintenence tool that than assist you and take the guess work out of managing your pet's diabetes and you can learn to make adjustments in your insulin dose. In some ways, management of diabetes in a dog is easier than in humans, because you have absolute control over their diet. This is the most problematic aspect of diabetes management in humans, and you can control what they eat precisely. You can eliminate carbs as much as you need. If I had a diabetic dog, I would get into the habit of making their food at home, rather than buying it. You don't have to spend an arm and a leg to make good, healthy dog food and you can determine exactly what they are eating. Eventually, once the dose of insulin is established and an equilibrium established, you have control over all the variables that are so vexing in humans. Getting a dog to exercise is not a problem, in the vast majority of cases! In people, it's very hard.
One additional thing I would like people to understand pertains to the problems with excessive drinking and peeing that is seen early on. Do NOT deprive them of water. That is a common reaction to the frequent urination ("polyuria") that is seen with diabetes. They are drinking because they need it.....their "osmolality" in their serum gets too high, and water corrects that. Once the sugars are better controlled that will correct itself.....my point being, make sure they have access to plenty of fresh water. If they don't have enough water they can get pretty sick and even go into a coma.
^^ THIS.
The Border Collie I had growing up (Gin) was diabetic and after diagnosis (at age 10) and stabilization she lasted another 5 years. We changed her diet. Gave her shots daily and tested her regularly at home and at the vets' office. My mom even went so far as to keep the hearts and livers from our wholesale lambs to feed her instead of buying expensive dog food. Gin did great and kept working and going to the barn every day :)
Good Luck and chin up! You will be fine and the lil family member will be too!  | |
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  Crazy Chicken Chick
Posts: 36132
 
| I have a diabetic Min Pin. It is a pain in the butt. I currently feed him a diabetic dry food with a tablespoon of canned food. He gets insulin twice a day. If I notice him drinking a lot, I increase his insulin by a unit and watch him for several days. My vet said it would be better to put a doggie diaper on him and check urine for glucose than to use a meter. I did buy a human meter for him based on things I'd read, but gahhh, he already is a nightmare to give insulin to. Can't imagine trying to stick him for accuchecks!
Am wanting to make his food or perhaps go to a raw diet and eliminate as many carbs as I can. Problem is that we have 9 dogs and it's hard to keep him out of their food.
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Crazy Chicken Chick
Posts: 36132
| I might be more inclined to take Rocky in for glucose testing once in a while, but gahh, they charged me $60 last time I took him to check it after I brought him home and he was acting funny. So I won't take him back unless I think he really needs it. | |
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Location: South Dakota | luvinrunnin - 2014-02-12 2:24 PM I have a diabetic Min Pin. It is a pain in the butt. I currently feed him a diabetic dry food with a tablespoon of canned food. He gets insulin twice a day. If I notice him drinking a lot, I increase his insulin by a unit and watch him for several days. My vet said it would be better to put a doggie diaper on him and check urine for glucose than to use a meter. I did buy a human meter for him based on things I'd read, but gahhh, he already is a nightmare to give insulin to. Can't imagine trying to stick him for accuchecks!
Am wanting to make his food or perhaps go to a raw diet and eliminate as many carbs as I can. Problem is that we have 9 dogs and it's hard to keep him out of their food.
LOL...yes it is hard to keep them from eating things they shouldn't be...everything from horse poop, to shelled corn, is considered a treat to Buck...kind like having a toddler around, making sure they keep stuff out of their mouth..
I just got Dr Pitcairn's book Natural Health for Dogs & Cats, and will check out some of his recipes for diabetics.. | |
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