Make sure to schedule a check-up at least twice a year if your dog is stable. If your vet recommends more frequent visits, follow their advice.
Your vet will outline the dosage of insulin for your dog and help you learn how to give injections. Your vet will give you a diet for your dog, along with exercise recommendations. Your vet will suggest a glucose monitoring system for your dog. You will also be instructed about any warning signs you should look for.
Increased thirst without any change in activity level Increased urination, or “accidents” in the house Increased appetite Weight loss
Older dogs need fewer calories than younger dogs. Their energy needs and activity levels decrease, so you should feed your aging dog less food than you used to. Many older dogs may eat out of boredom or because they forget that they have eaten. Keep your dog on a food schedule and watch their weight to make sure they don’t start gaining weight.
Talk to your vet about the best diet for your senior dog. Some senior dogs with diabetes may do well with a senior blend of dog food, while others may do well with a diet full of food prepared at home.
If your dog is unable to chew hard foods, talk to your vet about other food options. You may be able to feed your dog a diet of people food instead. Time the food and insulin by offering your dog a small snack. Once they eat it, give them their insulin injection. Then, give them their meal immediately afterward. If your dog won’t eat the snack or their regular food, only give them half their insulin dose for that day, and if they refuse to eat for two or more meals in a row, contact your vet immediately for advice and treatment.
For example, you can still take your dog for a walk or play fetch with them. They just may not be able to do the activity for as long as they used to. Consistency is important—too much exercise could cause significant drops in glucose levels. [4] X Research source
When your vet prescribes insulin, they will show you the proper way to give your dog insulin injections. Use only the syringes supplied by your vet, and use them only as directed. Do not repeat an injection if you cannot tell whether the injection went in. Rather than injecting the same spot repeatedly, which may cause pain for your dog, vary the injection site a little every day.
When you check your dog’s glucose level using the provided meter, you will have to prick the dog’s skin on a hairless area to get a drop of blood. The urine dipstick helps monitor your dog for glucose levels as well as conditions like ketosis. If ketones appear on the dipstick after testing, consult your vet immediately for advice. Log the dog’s glucose level so you can discuss it with your vet, and schedule an immediate vet visit if your dog shows any signs of an illness that can destabilize a diabetic pet, such as a stomach ache, a sore mouth, or an ear infection.
Tired and unresponsive Shaking Unsteady gait Lethargy Falling Seizures
