You have just found out your pet has diabetes, you know nothing about it. You are scared for your pet and worried about its well being. This can be a very traumatic and stressful time especially if your pet has been in your family for a very long time. Dealing with a diabetic pet is different for everyone due to personal circumstances; work commitments, lack of free time, the list goes on. But there is always a way to care for your pet and their well being will never be compromised despite all of these previous drawbacks.
There are two types of diabetes your pet can have. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes. If your pet has type 1 diabetes then you will have to inject it with insulin, usually twice a day along with a controlled diet. When storing insulin always keep it in a refrigerator and when mixing, gently roll it without shaking it. Type 1 diabetes is cause by insulin deficiency due to the pancreas not being able to produce enough, hence the bi-daily injections to make sure your pet has enough insulin in its system. Type 2 diabetes is more common but less severe. This can be treated via manipulation of diet and regular exercise, if you don’t have enough time to take your pet for frequent walks I’m sure if you explain the situation or talk to a friend with a dog then they will be able to take it for walks. Remember there are always alternatives if you can’t do it. Leave your dog with friends or family if you have to go on a business trip. Just make sure they are well educated on the matter and know how to care for your diabetic pet.
Make sure during the course of treatment that you know how to inject your dog with insulin if needed. Make sure you shave the dogs hair where you plan to inject as this makes it easier, the dose is usually administered somewhere around the neck, the base of the tail or on the dogs side. Make sure to maintain a schedule so your pet can adjust and will know what is happening, the more confident your pet is the easier the whole process will be. Remember to always keep an emergency kit on hand especially in the earlier stages where you are finding out what works, pets with erratic blood glucose levels can suffer from seizures of slip into a comatose state, a good thing to use is something with a lot of sugar in it like corn syrup as a few drops on your pets tongue will soon raise their blood sugar levels. Always stay alert for changes in your pet’s behavior as this is a sign that something is wrong. Look for increased rates of urination and thirst for water along with lethargy, these symptoms are usually a sign of low insulin levels.
Remember to take all of the preventative measures stated here and to keep an eye on your pet, always have a backup plan and look after your pet. Treat them well, make sure they eat well and receive regular exercise and you will soon dominate the condition that is diabetes.