Management of the Diabetic Pet

Management of the Diabetic Pet

Your pet has a disease called diabetes mellitus in which your pet does not have enough natural insulin to maintain a normal blood sugar level. Consequently, you must provide the insulin by daily injection.

At your pharmacy, you will purchase insulin (100 units per ml),
and needles with the accompanying prescriptions. Insulin should be refrigerated at all times and the bottle should be shaken gently prior to withdrawal of the insulin into the syringe. The injection must be given subcutaneously (beneath the skin). Your doctor will demonstrate the correct injection technique.

The amount of insulin required each day may be subject to change depending on various factors such as alteration in diet, exercise, and certain environmental stresses. The dose of insulin is calculated by determining the amount of sugar in your pet's urine each morning prior to insulin administration. To measure urine sugar, you will purchase Tes-Tape or Diastix or Keto Diastix at your pharmacy.
The instructions on these tests are simple to follow. Unless otherwise directed by your doctor, the following protocol should be followed:

(1) First thing in the morning, obtain a urine sample and determine the amount of urine sugar.
(2) Administer the adjusted insulin dose subcutaneously.
(3) Then feed your pet 50% of its usual total daily food intake.
(4) In the evening, feed the other 50% or you may leave the food out and available at all times, called feeding free choice.

The following chart will guide you in calculating the daily amount of insulin.

Infrequently your pet may experience an insulin reaction due to a marked decrease in blood sugar. This reaction is most likely to occur 3 to 8 hours following the morning's injection. These signs accompanying such a reaction will mimic a drunken state; your pet will be weak and walk with a wobbly incoordinated gait. Should this occur, administer Karo Syrup or any other sugar source orally (approximately 2 tablespoons for a 20-pound animal). If no improvement is seen after 15 minutes or if the signs worsen, contact your veterinarian for advice.

Dietary changes other than feeding your pet twice daily or free choice are unnecessary.

Should your pet become ill or experience any type of trauma, your veterinarian should be contacted.

Problems Frequently Encountered

(1) If you attempt to give the morning injection and you pet gets only part of its dose due to sudden movement causing slipping of the needle from under the skin, do not attempt to deliver the lost amount by giving another injection. Simply wait until the next day and repeat the previous day's dose.
(2) If your pet is unable to eat after insulin is given (for example, if it is vomiting) try to administer a semi liquid diet such as baby food. If vomiting persists contact your veterinarian.
(3) If you have a female pet it is recommended that she be spayed prior to her next heat since loss of diabetic control frequently occurs during the heat period.

For a Large - or Medium-sized Dog

If urine sugar is 4+ (2%)............Increase 2 to 3 units over previous days dose

If urine sugar is 3+(1%)..............Increase 2 units over previous days dose

If urine sugar is 2+(1/2%)............Increase 1 unit over previous days dose

If urine sugar is trace (1/10% or 1+(1/4%) Repeat previous days dose

If urine is negative...............................Decrease 2 units from previous days dose

For a Cat or Small Dog

If urine sugar is 4+(2%)...................Increase 1 unit over previous days dose

If urine sugar is 3+(1%)...................Increase 1 unit over previous days dose

If urine sugar is 2+(1/2%).................Increase 1/2 unit over previous days dose

If urine sugar is trace (1/10 % or 1+ (1/4 %) Repeat previous days dose

If urine is negative ........................Decrease 2 units from previous days dose

The ultimate objective is to maintain the morning urine sugar at trace to 1+ level.